HE SAVED ME AND MADE ME HIS

Jane

The sound of the shower woke me up. My lashes flickered as I slowly opened my eyes. The curtains were already open, allowing the morning sunlight to fill the room. I guessed Caleb was taking his shower.

I got out of bed and started fixing the sheets, but my mind kept going back to what happened last night. I couldn’t stop thinking about how badly I’d wanted this handsome man to touch me. Did he think I was a loose girl? Honestly, I didn’t know, and I didn’t even know why I cared so much about what he thought of me.

But where had he been last night? Why was he drunk? He was so difficult to understand. He had me worried all night, only to come back in the middle of the night completely drunk.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Can I come in?” a maid asked from the other side.

“Yeah… yeah, come in.”

The door opened and I recognized her. “I met you the other day, right?”

She nodded with a smile.

“What’s your name again?”

“Lucy.”

“Right, Lucy.”

“I brought clothes for both of you,” she said, placing them on the chair. “Breakfast will be ready in an hour.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you around.”

She smiled and left, and I closed the door behind her.

When I turned around, I froze.

Caleb had just stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.

My eyes travelled over him before I could stop myself. His muscles were on full display, his hair still slightly wet from the shower. He looked ridiculously handsome, like someone who had walked straight out of a movie.

I didn’t even realize I was staring until he cleared his throat.

“You like what you see?”

My eyes widened.

“Good morning,” I stammered.

“Morning,” he muttered, walking over to pick up the clothes Lucy had brought.

I quickly looked away, but a few seconds later, I found myself stealing another glance at him.

What was wrong with me?

Caleb dressed without saying another word, then walked out of the room.

I stood there for a moment, staring at the closed door.

I seriously needed to get myself together.

I took a quick shower, put on the beautiful floral dress Lucy had brought for me, tied my hair into a neat bun and slipped on the matching flip-flops. Once I was ready, I headed downstairs.

Everyone was already seated at the dining table except Caleb and his father.

I walked toward them and greeted everyone.

“Wow! You look stunning, my dear,” Caleb’s mother said with a smile.

“Thank you.”

The others complimented me too, and I smiled politely, but my mind wasn’t really there.

I looked around the table again.

Where was Caleb?

And why did he never eat with his family?

I took my seat and stared at the food in front of me, but I suddenly found myself thinking about my mother.

touched my food.

My thoughts drifted back to my mother.

What was she doing right now?

Was she looking for me?

Was she crying?

I swallowed hard.

I had been so caught up in everything that had happened since I was kidnapped that I hadn’t really allowed myself to think about her.

She must have been worried sick.

I stared down at my plate.

How long was I going to stay here?

Nobody had actually told me.

I knew Caleb was keeping me here because of the danger, but how long could that possibly last?

A few days?

A few weeks?

The thought made my stomach twist.

Was this my life now?

Waking up in a mansion I didn’t know, surrounded by people I had only just met, while my mother had no idea where I was?

I looked around the dining room.

Everyone seemed so comfortable here.

I didn’t.

I missed my mother’s voice and our little shop.

I even missed the ordinary things I’d complained about before all of this happened.

I lowered my spoon.

Maybe I would never get that life back.

“Jane?”

I looked up.

It was Caleb’s mum.

“Yes?”

“You haven’t eaten much.”

I forced a smile.

“I’m not really hungry.”

She reached across the table and gently touched my hand.

“You should eat something, dear.”

I nodded.

“I will.”

But I knew my appetite wasn’t the problem.

I needed answers.

I needed to know what was happening to me.

Most importantly, I needed to know when I could see my mother again.

And there was only one person who could give me those answers.

Caleb.

I really need to ask him.

She probably had no idea where I was.

My heart tightened.

How long was I going to stay here?

I looked around the beautiful dining room, then lowered my eyes.

What if it lasted longer?