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“In case you didn't know, auctions are illegal in America, for one. Second, one of the easiest ways for someone to get me out of hiding is to flag me as a wanted criminal.”

“So you're not actually a wanted criminal?”

“Didn't say that.” He grunts.

My heart thumps.

“Let's go back to what you were just saying.” Torin's tone is conversational, but there's a thread of steel in it. “You accused me of drugging you.”

“You did, didn’t you?”

“I did not. What makes you think that?”

“I don't feel like myself.”

“In what way?”

I don't want to say it. I turn it over in my head.

Turned on. Aroused.

“Don't ever drug me again. I swear to god, Torin, I'm not eating anything you put in front of me⁠—”

“Enough.” The word snaps out. “Raise your voice to me again, and you'll find yourself over my knee. I will make that happen.”

There it is again. That fucking zing when he gets dominant.

“I don't understand what you mean by ‘not yourself,’” he says. “Explain it.”

“You know what I mean.”

“I don't. Say it plainly before I follow through on that threat.” I know by now the man does not make idle threats.

“Turned on!” I say. “Aroused. It isn't normal. Not for me. Not like this.”

Silence from the front seat.

“Maybe,” he says finally, his voice dripping with seduction, “you've never been touched by a man who knew how.”

Oh god. And maybe I’m not the one winning this game.

“I’m not convinced that's it.”

“I don't need you to be convinced.” He pauses. “Go on, then. Keep telling me how aroused you are. I’m fascinated.”

I say nothing. The embarrassment is a specific, unwelcome heat.

Maybe he didn't drug me. Maybe it is exactly what he said, and I handed him that information for nothing.

Shit.

I shut my mouth.

“We’re almost there. You're going to have to trust me, which I know is not your favorite thing. But I’m going to park this car, and you're going to hold my hand and follow my instructions. This will go much easier for you if you do.”

My palms are sweaty, and my heart’s beating too fast. Where are we? What new hell is this?

“You’ll behave yourself and not cause a scene. I want to go in and out quickly so we can move to safety.”