Surviving Passion by Maia Underwood Read Free Book Online

me? To criticize my lifestyle? “I’m pretty sure your little community is just as good for me as those damned cowboys you ‘rescued’ me from, and I’m better off hell and gone from you and yours.”
                He shot her a reproachful look before answering, “Then you walk out with only what you brought in.”
                “And maybe a little less,” she added quietly.
                The discussion had soured her remaining appetite. Selena stood haughtily and went stomping down the hill. At least I upset him, she thought, and a little satisfaction mingled with her growing apprehension at the thought of living with others. Selena wished she had the courage to confront him about his behavior last night as an example, but she was much too embarrassed.
                She reached the bank of the stream and sat down on a big rock that lay nearby. Skipping stones to try and take her mind off her worries, she stole an occasional glance up the hill. Dan was packing up. She thought she could discern the slightest betrayal of irritation in his movements.
                They would ride on soon. I’m sure he wants to dump me off as soon as possible now. Maybe the conversation wasn’t a waste after all.
                It was still early when they moved on. Their trek took them through the wild, forested hills for the remainder of the day, and another night passed uneventfully. Yet again, Selena slept more deeply than usual. Must be the stress , she decided as the morning found her surprisingly rested and refreshed.
                There was even less talk than usual so Selena had plenty of time to think. She was beginning to wonder if she was being too negative about her predicament. It could be worse, after all. Dan hadn’t abused her, and that was better fortune than she could have ever expected. Running was surely the worst thing she could have done to provoke him. He had managed to control himself. If he hadn’t taken advantage of her in that moment, maybe he never would. Perhaps the others were like him or, hopefully, less threatening. And what if, by some miracle, they were decent? Still ... four women, seven men ...
                Selena sighed. While I’m stuck in this, I may as well hope for the best , she told herself. Preparing for the worst came all too naturally. Maybe no one would give her a hard time. Maybe her parents were wrong, or maybe she’d be lucky this time and there would be no bad apples. It was a long shot and she knew it.
                If Selena had opened up a bit, Dan was the opposite. He seemed more brusque with her than ever. She wondered why he would be so bothered about what she’d said. For some reason, his attitude upset her. She knew that it was silly and he was the last person whose opinion should matter to her, but at this point, he was the only person she knew. Was she expected to roll over after everything he’d done? Yet he could turn cold to her just because of a few harsh words born of fear that was justified? Hadn’t he himself fought for restraint just the other night? Selena’s hair stood up as the memory came back in a flash: the muggy heat radiating from their bodies, the pressure of his hips holding her against the tree and his burning stare. The way he had looked at her lips. It was the third time he had used his body weight to restrain her, she realized. It was effective, but there were side effects. Each situation was more intense than the one before. Maybe it was only physical attraction, or maybe her defiance triggered his desire.
                Selena rubbed her wrists absently while mulling these things over. There was no soreness, she realized, frowning down at them. She could find no trace of bruising or even scraping. Something bothered her about that. It was several minutes before she managed to isolate why. She had never felt more physically helpless than when he