Blake saw Malcolm waiting for him in the corridor the moment he left the room. Malcolm had been here for a while, but he dared not open the door and interrupt when he heard the amorous noises coming from within.Upon spotting Blake coming down the hall, Malcolm glanced at the bite marks on the former's neck. Having confirmed his guess, he informed dutifully, "Mr. Ford, we stalled Ivan and brought Ms. Starr over here last night without him knowing. He has been combing through the town looking for her ever since he discovered she was missing this morning."Blake snorted. "He certainly has a lot of time on his hands. Let's give him a small surprise, then."The surprise Blake had planned for Ivan revealed itself that afternoon when the latter's car exploded. Ivan had detected the scent of smoke when he got into the car and jumped out immediately, but his arm still got caught in the resulting blast.He was later sent to the emergency room. As the doctors peeled off the layer of burnt
Yasmin batted her eyelashes at Blake, blinking her large, doe eyes as she played up her innocence.Blake snorted and asked derisively, "You think I'd believe you?" He had stopped trusting her a long time ago.Yasmin knew very well that he thought she was seducing him out of fear, but even so, she had to stand her ground. She hooked one slender leg around his thigh and purred, "You're welcome to kill me if you don't trust me."She even dared to look wounded by his stoicness.Blake's eyes roved over her body as his lips pressed into a tight line. "How many times will you pull the same cheap trick? You could at least pretend to have some dignity."He was talking about her honey trap."Do you really want to kill me?" Yasmin asked, her voice low and sweet. When he made no reply, she knew he was reluctant. She willed her heart to slow into a steady beat as she caressed his handsome face. "Or would you rather have some fun with me?"To show him what she meant, she rose on her tiptoes a
Yasmin would never agree to Blake's terms, of course. She was born with autonomy, and she would never let him lock her up and cut her off from the rest of the world.She was about to refuse Blake's proposition when he grabbed her jaw, silencing her as he ground out icily, "It's decided. You seduced me first, so you'll have to bear the consequences from now until forever."As if to seal the deal, he nipped at her pale neck, leaving yet another bite mark. Yasmin frowned at the sharp pain. Blake was no better than a maniac right now. When he unleashed himself upon her, he was brutal and merciless. It was as if he wanted to inflict pain on her—like it brought him some kind of twisted joy.Amid his euphoria, he seemed pleased by his own terms. He tightened his arms around Yasmin as he bit her lip, stealing her breath entirely.She was growing lightheaded, barely drawing in air as he kissed her roughly. Feeling helpless, she thumped his shoulder with her fist and begged, "Go softer…"
Yasmin couldn't help the blood that rushed to her face. After Blake was done assessing her, he looked up and said in a softer tone, "I'll have someone deliver medication for you later."]She pouted and groused, "Now do you see what you put me through?"Blake hadn't seen her look so wounded for a while, and her girlish voice sent him into a daze. He remained in a stupor for a while before he teased, "You're the one who provoked me when you don't even have what it takes to bear the consequences. You overestimated yourself."Yasmin did not want to blush, but her face warmed when she heard his playful words. Her hair cascaded past her shoulders, accentuating her delicate silhouette.She looked so enticing that Blake couldn't help kissing her again. He said in a hoarse voice, "Be good next time."True to his word, someone delivered medication to Yasmin later in the morning. Her face was crimson as she took the tub of ointment. When the bodyguard assigned to bring her meals showed up, s
Blake was only going to offer her two more days of recuperation. Yasmin's lips tightened at this as frustration seized her. She dared to ask, "Isn't anyone looking for me? I've been missing for days."She surmised that at least five or six days had passed since Blake brought her here.Blake replied, "Yes, Ivan is going berserk looking for you. But he ran into a few problems, and he has no resources to continue his search for you.""How did you stall him?""I gave him hell, of course. His company is plagued with several crises, and he's risking getting blown up or assassinated just by being out on the street..." There was a dark look in Blake's eyes as he trailed off. These were the things Ivan had ordered be done to him, and he was simply returning the favor."Did you come to Merania to kill him?" Yasmin pressed."What, are you worried that I'm going to end your precious fiancé's life?" Blake grabbed her jaw and grinned at her fiendishly, though the amusement did not reach his ey
Blake was saying this because he did not believe Yasmin, still thinking she was lying. He had been lied to before with devastating outcomes. Once bitten, twice shy; it was only natural that he had his guard up against her.Yasmin took a deep breath and said, "My grandmother has yet to escape Ivan's evil clutches. I was at the hospital the other day to scope things out. He's hired a lot of people to keep an eye on her.""So what are your plans? Are you trying to get me to rescue your grandmother?" Blake asked, staring at her evenly.She took a sip of water and said, "No, I don't want to trouble you. I just want you to give me some time to work out a plan to save my grandmother."In truth, she planned on bringing Stuart and Imogen out of the country with her, along with Sander International's trade secrets. But she had no idea what those trade secrets were, and she needed time to uncover them.She didn't want Blake helping her with such endeavors, either. The last thing she wanted w
Blake froze at the sight of this. He hurried over to the bed and pulled Yasmin into his arms. Her skin was burning to the touch, and she had gone delirious with the fever."Yasmin," he called her name, urging her to respond.Her head lolled to the side and thumped against his chest. She was so out of it that she could not even answer him.Blake's heart sank. He quickly had Malcolm call for help. "Malcolm, get a female doctor over here."A doctor showed up moments later. After examining Yasmin, she informed Blake that the fever was a result of over-exertion. In other words, he had been so rough on her that whatever injuries she sustained took a toll on her system.The doctor prescribed medication and warned Blake to pace himself.Blake scowled as he took the prescription and returned to the room. Yasmin was curled up on the bed, and the chill had her wrapping her arms around herself. "Blake…" she mumbled, her lips trembling.He stiffened when he heard this. He walked over and gin
Blake sat on the edge of the bed and said softly, "I told you I wouldn't kill you and that I'd give you a second chance if you just stayed with me forever.""I don't want that, either!" Yasmin turned to look at him, her body curled into a fetal position. "My grandmother is in mortal danger, and you expect me to go back to Stanton City with you? "I just need a little more time to work things out, but you refuse to give it to me. Why are you in such a hurry to go back anyway?"Her large eyes were filled with tears, and her face was streaked with them too.Blake pursed his lips and explained, "I just don't want any more problems to crop up.""And what problems would I cause by saving my grandmother?" Sensing that he might relent, Yasmin sat up in bed and climbed onto his lap, pouting. "I'm begging you to give me some time, Blake. I'm not asking for your help or anything, just more time."If you're busy, you can go back to Stanton City without me. Once I've sorted things out here in