Monster (Impossible #1) by Julia Sykes Read Free Book Online Page B

wasn’t having it.
    “Don’t touch me,” I hissed, yanking my hand out of his grip.  Or I would have if he hadn’t been infinitely stronger than me.  As it was, it was like pulling against the unyielding metal cuffs again.  So I settled for giving him a pointed glare.
    Finally, he released me, something akin to regret in his eyes.  He ran a hand through his hair in frustration, mussing it in a way that impossibly made him look even sexier, as though he had just enjoyed a good fuck…
    I needed to get out of here, to get away from this god-like man who was quickly driving me to madness.
    I stood abruptly and began pacing back and forth beside the bed, suddenly feeling claustrophobic, as though the room was far too small.  Sean’s aura seemed to fill the small space, his masculine scent pervading the air, choking off my ability to reason as it invaded my mind.
    “Claudia?”  He asked, concern lacing his tone.  I didn’t answer.  “Claudia,” he said my name more insistently this time.  “What’s wrong?”
    I rounded on him, stopping my pacing abruptly.  “What’s wrong?! ”  I shrieked at him.  I was close to the edge of panic, so I focused on my anger instead, fighting to keep myself grounded.  “I’ve been kidnapped by a horny jackass, that’s what’s wrong.  One who doesn’t seem to have any plans to let me go.  Ever.  So what, am I supposed to just be fine with it when you make a pass at me when I can’t get away?  Am I supposed to be fine with it when you get wood and then leer at me like that?”
    His expression had gone from guilty to furious in the space of a few seconds as he listened to my short tirade.
    “Listen, doc,” he snapped.  “Your options are either Bradley insists on killing you, or you stay here indefinitely.  I went with option B.  Sorry if that gets your panties in a bunch, but the way I see it, I saved your life.  And I’m going to get morning wood.  I’m a red-blooded man; of course I’m going to get a hard-on if I wake up with a beautiful woman pressed against me.”  His brows drew together.  “And I don’t recall forcing you to cuddle with me.”
    I gasped, blanching at his words.  How dare he act like this was my fault?
    “ I’m the one who saved your life, in case you don’t recall,” I said acidly.  “All you did was take my life away from me.  Sure, I’m still breathing, but what am I supposed to do?  Stay locked in this room forever?  What kind of life is that?”
    “What do you want from me?”  Sean half-growled, the ferocity of his expression making me take an involuntary step back.  “I can’t let you go, but I won’t let you die.  That’s the best I can offer you.”
    “How magnanimous,” I spat.  “If you really weren’t some kind of twisted monster, you would let me go.”  I couldn’t help the pleading edge that bled into my tone as I said it.
    “This isn’t up for debate, doc,” he half-shouted, incensed by my words.  “You’re not leaving.”
    Tears filled my eyes, and I quickly turned away from him to hide them.  I never cried in front of anyone.  Never.
    I blinked hard, willing the stinging at the corners of my eyes to dissipate.
    “Claudia?”  His voice was suddenly gentle, soothing.  And that curious lilt as he said my name so sweetly made something quiver inside me.
    But I didn’t answer; I knew that if I spoke the quaver in my voice would give me away.
    “Shit,” he cursed softly.  “Claudia, I-”
    The sound of the lock clicking back cut him off, and Bradley burst into the room.  He advanced on me.
    “I thought I warned you not to upset him,” he said angrily.  His strong hands were on my shoulders, shoving me harshly.  My back hit the wall, my head cracking against it.  The world spun as pain spiked through my skull, the shock of impact reverberating through my brain.  Bradley’s furious visage filled my vision, and I tried to shrink away from him.  But the wall at my back