veryone is mad at Ana crap, okay?”
“Just telling you the truth,” Christian says, bemused by my outburst.
“Yes, it was reckless, but you know, your sister was in danger.”
His face falls. “Yes. She was.” Switching off the hairdryer, he puts it down on
the bed beside him. He grasps my chin.
“Thank you,” he says, surprising me. “But no more recklessness. Because
next time, I will spank the living shit out of you.”
I gasp.
“You wouldn’t!”
“I would.” He’s serious. Holy cow. Deadly serious. “I ha一ve your stepfather’s
permission.” He smirks. He’s teasing me! Or is he? I launch myself at him,
and he twists so that I fall onto the bed and into his arms. As I land, pain from
my ribs shoots through me and I wince. Christian pales. “Beha一ve!” he
admonishes, and for a moment he’s angry.
456 | P a g e
E L JAMES
“Sorry,” I mumble, reaching up to caress his cheek. He nuzzles my hand and
kisses it gently.
“Honestly, Ana, you really ha一ve no regard for your own safety.” He tugs up the
hem of my T-shirt then rests his fingers on my belly. I stop breathing. “It’s not
just you anymore,” he whispers, trailing his fingertips along the waistband of
my sweats, caressing my skin. Desire explodes unexpected, hot, and hea一vy
in my blood. I gasp and Christian tenses, halting his fingers and gazing down
at me. He moves his hand up to tuck a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
“No,” he whispers.
What?
“Don’t look at me like that. I’ve seen the bruises. And the answer’s no.” His
voice is firm, and he kisses my forehead.
I squirm. “Christian,” I whine.
“No. Get into bed.” He sits up.
“Bed?”
“You need rest.”
“I need you.”
He closes his eyes and shakes his head as if it’s a great effort of will. When
he opens them again, his eyes are bright with his resolve.
“Just do as you’re told, Ana.”
I’m tempted to take off all my clothes, but then I remember the bruises and
know I won’t win that way. Reluctantly, I nod.
“Okay.” I deliberately give him an exaggerated pout. He grins, amused. “I’ll
bring you some lun
本章未完，点击下一页继续阅读。