Dark features focused on the woman sleeping in front of him. She seemed so at peace at the moment and yet he'd seen every emotion flit across her face. She wore her heart on her sleeve, matching her mood to the moment. Beautiful in all of them, of course, but he found her outbursts of bravado the most intriguing. Even terrified, she still challenged him, unwilling to back down for her own self-preservation. It was foolish, of course, and yet he couldn't help but be drawn to her.
Part of it, he recognized, was the bond that had emerged between her and H.G. He was a possessive enough man to be jealous of anyone who grew close to his friend though Lord knew they were perfectly suited to one another. Full of optimism, always seeing the good in everyone. It made Dr. John Stephenson sick. The world couldn't run solely on those kinds of people. It needed his kind as well. The yin to his yang. A bit of balance.
Jane shifted, twisting to face him with a soft hum and he froze, eyes on her features until he could discern quite clearly that she wasn't fully awake. Carefully he stepped closer, watching as her chest rose and fell in a peaceful rhythm. Time was short, though. He couldn't stay in reverie forever.
In a moment he closed the gap between them, hand settling firmly over her mouth and Jane woke with a muffled yelp, immediately struggling to pull away. His body pressed close to hers, free hand putting a blade to her throat. Fear flitted through her eyes though her struggles almost immediately ceased. So she did have some semblance of self-preservation. If only a semblance. Her heart beat was strong enough that he could almost hear the pounding, thudding loudly in her chest, but questioning eyes met his unflinchingly.
"Hello Jane," he purred. Oh how he did like using her Christian name. How…intimate this time was. "I'm going to remove my hand but if you make a sound louder than a whisper, it will be the last sound you make, am I clear?"
The woman gave a short nod and John withdrew his hand slowly, gaze locked on hers the entire time. "What do you want?" She whispered.
"I thought that was quite clear. I want you." Though he had to smirk as the fear bubbled plainly up once more. He could guess what she was afraid of. What he might do to her, though John had never had to take an unwilling woman. He was handsome, well-spoken, rich, respected…and charming when he wanted to be.
"After all Jane…you have made such an impact on H.G. What wouldn't he do to keep you safe and sound?"
"He won't help you," Jane returned. But even as she said so, she couldn't be entirely sure.
"Oh come now. Of course he will. So come along, then. I think it's time we test that theory, don't you?" He'd known H.G. far longer than she had. Knew his every thought and reaction, how far he could be pushed, what his breaking point was. And this woman in front of him would help John get exactly what he wanted, whether she was so inclined or not.
Finally moving back, John pulled the covers back, extending one hand. "Shall we?"
