Penelope's eyes bulged wide in shock immediately Dorian said his condition.
Abruptly, she took a step back, letting her hand slip out of his hold.
She should have known, what was she expecting.
Wait
Was this the kind of cooperation that ginger haired man talked about?
She would rather die.
But then again, what if he intended to force his way through with her.
Panic began to set in but his abrupt chuckle brought her back from her thoughts.
What was so funny, she wondered.
**
Dorian couldn't help but laugh at his mate's reaction at his words.
He didn't realize how his statement would sound until it came out of his lips and from her expression alone, he could already tell what vague thoughts she was harbouring.
"How wild your thoughts wonder my love"
He said with a small chuckle.
Closing the distance she had created between them.
"I do not mean it in that way, what I meant was, that you share a bed with me...for the night"
Although he'd already shared a bed with her as of last night, he didn't want her resentfulness.
"Doesn't sound any less disturbing"
She whispered to herself but Dorian heard her quite alright.
**
Penelope's racing mind had calmed down a bit at the knowledge of her first thought being false.
Who would have blame her? In her situation there was only one meaning a person would have pictured at such a sentence.
'Share a bed with me'
His condition echoed in her head.
Not like it sounded any pleasing to the first place, but, if this was what she needed to do to ascertain her leaving here, then she would.
"Okay"
She muttered lowly and watched a smile coner his lips.
Letting his hand fall on his body, he began taking off his clothes.
"I'll be taking a bath"
He was quick to say once he noticed the panic on her face.
What kind of wild thoughts lingered in his cute mate's head.
He wondered.
Not wanting to frighten or highten her thoughts any longer, he walked straight into the bathroom.
***
Looking at the largely sized bed, Penelope wondered if she could really do this, share a bed with a total stranger.
Well, she had, last night, but that was different, she had no clue he had snuck and joined her while she was asleep but as of tonight, she'd be doing so willingly.
She felt a sour taste in her throat and swallowed the lump forming.
Could she really do this?
No, she had to.
For her mother, she would.
The sound of the door click pulled her attention to the bathroom door which just opened and made her realised she had been standing for a long while.
When the door opened, she saw him come out and almost immediately, felt a ting in her chest at the sight of the man who was currently drenched, his jet black hair completely soaked as little strands stuck themselves to his forehead leaving drips of water drops against his broad shoulders.
Her eyes lingered too long as they moved down his evenly toned skin, embedded with perfect muscles, little trails of water following an alined path through his biceps, a slight exposure of his v-line until the white towel around his waist concealed the rest .
An alluring sight to behold for the eyes, one would say.
She hadn't realised she stared for too long until her eyes met his.
A smirk on his lips and at once,she averted her eyes away.
How perverted of her, she scolded.
Dorian's smirk quickly morphed into a smile as he watched his mate's timid act.
Was she admiring him now?
Stealing glances at his body.
How naughty.
He didn't mind, infact, he loved that his mate approved the sight of him.
She could stare at him all day, he didn't mind.
A brief chuckle left his throat when she looked away.
He walked to the room next to the bathroom and when he came out, he was fully clothed in a white lower knee pocket short and a deep blue shirt.
He frowned noticing how she cradled herself to the extreme further end of the bed but no matter, he joined in, laying right next to her, he noticed how stilled her body became.
He watched her silently,her breathing had slowed down almost unexistant.
Her eyes skeptically looking at anywhere but at him.
The strand of hair which fell against the side of her face made his hand itch.
"You said to only share a bed"
Came her shaky tone when he tried to move her hair away.
"Yes, yes, I did"
He replied calmly, going ahead to pry the strand which had made his fingers itch behind her ear.
His hand lingered a little too long strolling down her cheek.
The soft feel of her skin against his fingers was something Dorian was certain he would never get used to, it was more than a fantasy bliss.
"Please don't"
A small whimper left her lip, her eyes were closed.
Dorian was confused but then realized his fingers had lingered all too far down her jaw line.
He drew his hand back, although not liking that his mate was resentful to his torch, she would have to get used to it.
"What is your name my love?"
He realized he hadn't even bothered of her name ever since but called her endearingly instead, well, even though he knew her name, he would still call her how he liked.
"P_Penelope"
He noticed the resentfulness in her voice but didn't ponder over it.
"Penelope"
His voice sounded like an alluring chant as he called her name.
"Penelope"
He whispered sounding in a daze
"Penelope"
Confused was less of a word to explain how Penelope felt currently, why he kept saying her name repeatedly, she didn't understand,but something in the way he called it made it sound like the most alluring and enchanting of all names.
When morning came, Penelope woke up feeling oddly invaded by the warmth which covered her.
A scent filled her senses making her frown.
It was a masculine scent which she seemed to recognize cause not once but twice had he invaded her space, even yesterday when he hugged her, the feeling had been cozzing and comforting but alas.
Snapping her eyes open, a slight gasp escaped her lips noticing she wasn't just sleeping beside this man but on top of him.
How!?
She noticed his eyes were shut, he was still sleeping, strands of his hair fell across his face giving an oddly alluring sight to look at, his expression was calm but then again, looked so powerful like one who should be feared even in slumber.
His brows thick and perfectly aligned and his perfectly adjected nose, how could one have such good looks even while asleep.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she tried getting away but the large hands which cradled from each sides of her body wrapping themselves around her made it difficult.
She grimaced internally and her heart rate accelerated.
How did she get here?
She pushed but instead, his hold tightened making it impossible for her to move, she struggled again.
"Lay still my love"
A grumble left his lips as he cuddled even more.
Instantly, Penelope stilled and they stayed so for a couple while longer until his grip finally loosened.
"How was your night my love?"
He asked but as a reply, she quickly moved away from him, sitting herself up.
He turned his head to her side.
"Did you sleep well"
"I would like to go home now"
She answered but instead, a frown contoured his face and he sat up.
"I slept well too"
He answered an unasked question getting out of bed, his voice sounding more rigid, absent of it's usual softness and for some reason, Penelope panicked.
"You said that if I shared a bed with you, you'd let me go"
"Did I?"
He asked with a brow lift and a silent gasp left Penelope's lips.
Oh no.
"You promised"
A little whisper came out as she stared at him worried.
He approached her, his expression returning to it's soft nature.
"I do remember asking you to share a bed with me my love, but if my memory serves right, I don't think I remember ever promising to let you go"
He had said so,but he never promised, did he?
Realisation dawned on her as she stared at him, eyes wide.
He tricked her.