Chapter 22
It dawned on Natalie then that she had completely misunderstood his intentions. His deliberate mockery hit her like a sudden gust of heat, sending a blush rushing to her cheeks
Knowing there was no right answer, she shrank into herself, instinctively pulling her neck in as though retreating might save her. Feigning ignorance seemed like the safest move.
Jonas noticed the pink hue creeping up the tips of her ears, standing out like tiny blossoms against her clear skin. His lips quirked into a faint, amused smirk.
The girl in his arms was softer than he’d expected, her small, delicate frame warm and pliant against him. She felt almost absurdly fragile, like a downy feather, and for a fleeting moment, she reminded him of Myla’s old husky poppy–curry. needy, and utterly unaware of its own charm.
The thought brought a glimmer of mischief to his eyes. Tightening his hold slightly, Jonas adjusted his grip and reached for the camo jacket lying discarded nearby. In one swift motion, he draped it over Natalie’s head and upper body, plunging her into darkness.
Caught off guard by the sudden lack of visibility, Natalie wriggled instinctively, trying to push the jacket away. Then she realized her wrists were still trapped in Jonas’s large hands. Even the slightest movement was met with his fingers tightening around her, a silent but firm reminder of his dominance.
And in that moment, it became painfully clear to Natalie–Jonas might be lying close to her, teasing her like they were sharing some intimate secret, but his actions screamed caution. He didn’t trust her, not for a second.
His voice came next, calm but laced with an unmistakable edge of warning. “Sweetheart, move again, and you might just regret it.*
The threat hung in the air like a blade poised over her, and Natalie froze immediately, the fight draining out of her.
She should have felt anxious or terrified when nestled in the arms of a stranger as unpredictable and dangerous as Jonas.
But whether it was the exhaustion of the day’s events or the way his body radiated warmth against the chill of the night, a strange sense of calm washed over her.
Before she could stop herself, her eyelids grew heavy, her breaths evening out as fatigue pulled her into an unbidden sleep.
Jonas felt the shift almost instantly–the way her small frame softened, her breathing becoming slow and steady. He opened his eyes slightly. ‘She really fell asleep?”
Shaking his head slightly, Jonas let his eyes drift closed once more. But his hand, still loosely clasped around her wrists, didn’t let go. The grip seemed casual, almost lazy, but his mind remained cautious, running through the calculations and possibilities that had him alert.
Jonas thought, “This little spy really knows how to play hard–to–get. At first, I thought she was just putting on an act, teasing me until I couldn’t resist and giving in herself.
‘But now? She actually fell asleep? What’s going on in that head of hers? Or is this her way of testing me, seeing if I’ll break first? Trying to make me beg?‘
A flood of questions surged through Jonas’s mind, but he pushed them aside, letting out a sharp, derisive snort. His lips curled into a mocking smirk, laced with disdain. “Trying to seduce me into sleeping with you? Pathetic…”
‘Not in a million years, he thought, the words bitter and final in his mind.
Meanwhile, Natalie stirred faintly. In her half–asleep haze, she heard a low murmur near her ear, but it felt more like a dream than reality. Feeling the cool air brushing against her exposed legs, she instinctively shifted closer to the warmth beside her, seeking comfort.
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19:47 Sat, 12 Apr
Chapter 22
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Within seconds, she drifted back into a deep, untroubled slumber, her ability to sleep through anything both enviable and infuriating.
Jonas’s brow furrowed. ‘So, she’s finally making a move?
But as seconds stretched into minutes, it became apparent that the girl in his arms wasn’t planning anything. She was completely out, her breathing soft and steady.
Curiosity and confusion got the better of him. Jonas opened his eyes and glanced down at her, only to see her nestled against his arm, fast asleep, her features relaxed and innocent.
A sharp, sardonic laugh escaped him as he rolled his tongue over his back teeth. For a split second, he entertained the idea of shoving her off the makeshift bed. His leg twitched in readiness, but just as he was about to act, Natalie moved again.
Like a drowsy kitten, she nuzzled her cheek against the crook of his arm, her small, delicate face brushing against him with a familiarity that felt both startling and oddly endearing.
Jonas frowned briefly, then shut his eyes again. ‘Forget it. This dump of a place is uncomfortable enough as it is. Tossing this human pillow away will only make things worse.
With that thought, he grabbed the camo jacket from beside him and draped it over her exposed legs. Not satisfied, he shifted, hooking his leg over her to keep her snugly in place. Natalie was completely enveloped, caught between his chest and limbs like a human–sized teddy bear.
“Mm…” Natalie murmured sleepily, her cheek brushing against his arm again. A faint discomfort registered as her face pressed against something firm, stirring her awake. Opening her eyes, she felt a dull ache on her cheek, though it quickly subsided.
Without thinking, she rubbed her eyes, still too drowsy to process where she was.
She knew she should probably get up, but the warmth at her back and the softness beneath her lulled her into staying put.
Just as she closed her eyes and buried her face into the comfort to savor a few more seconds of sleep, a sharp pinch on her cheek startled her fully awake, the grip firmer this time.
Her eyes
flew open, wide with shock, as realization began to dawn.
A raspy, low voice broke the silence, dripping with amusement. “Natalie, my bed’s that comfortable, huh?”
