Bound to my Enemy novel Chapter 156

Chapter 156: Chapter 156.

Just enough that he has to tilt his head slightly downward to look at me.

"Next time," I say lightly, "if you want to apologize..."

He narrows his eyes slightly.

"...which you clearly do."

"I clearly don’t."

"...you should probably try using actual words instead of buying expensive objects."

He stares at me and I hold his gaze calmly.

For a long moment neither of us says anything.

Then he exhales slowly.

"You’re unbelievable."

"And you bought me a piano."

"Yes."

"So I’m still winning this argument."

His jaw tightens but there’s a flicker of reluctant amusement in his eyes now.

"You’re very pleased with yourself right now."

"Just a little."

He shakes his head once, looking away toward the patio doors.

And for the first time since the conversation started... Zane actually looks slightly flustered which might be the most satisfying part of the entire evening.

————

"No!"

The scream rips out of my throat before I even know I’m awake. My body jerks upright in the bed, the sheets tangled around my legs, my breath coming in hard and uneven bursts. My heart is pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to punch its way out of my chesr with the darkness in the room pressing in around me.

For a split second, I’m not here...I am somewhere else wirh cold air, concrete and that room, and the smell of damp walls and rust.

I try to move but my body feels trapped and heavy, like something is still holding me down there...

"El." A voice tries to cut through the panic, it sounds low and rough with sleep..... it sounds close too like it’s right next to my ear.

Strong arms wrap around me from behind before I can scramble off the bed. I’m pulled back against a hard chest, my back pressed against a solid wall of muscle. The sudden contact makes the panic spike again.

"No.....get off me!" I shriek, twisting violently in the sheets. My hands push against the arms around me, trying to get away from the grip, mt body is still half in the nightmare, reacting before my brain can catch up.but the hold on me doesn’t loosen.

If anything, the arms tighten slightly....not painfully, just enough to keep me from flailing myself off the bed.

"Elaine. Stop."

His voice is calmer this time and much firmer.

"Look at me."

My lungs drag in another shaky breath, then another.

The scent reaches me next.....: it’s something oddly familiar and grounding that slowly cuts through the haze of fear.

My movements slow.

"...Zane," I breathe.

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