Chapter 10

Admitting a Stalker… Admitting a Lust

Serena was not expecting Darien to wait for her in the morning. She had gotten up early to write a telegram to her parents. They needed to know that Davidson Black was here in India. Not that there was anything they could do but if anything happened to her they would at least know. She wondered if her father knew of his inheritance and his name change. All of the letters were alway signed from Davidson Black.

Father

Davidson Black in India. If anything should happen to me. I love you

Rini

She was never sure if Davidson's cruel letters to her father were true. Her parents were ever so grateful when Darien Shields finally sent word that he would finally take Serena as a bride. The threats and letters had stopped a almost a year prior to receiving word. Now she knew why. He was here in India and a postmark would have given him away. She was a fool to think Darien had sent for her because he read the letters that her father had sent to Darien. Maybe her father didn't send the letters at all hoping to end the engagement.

To her knowledge Davidson never acted on anything he wrote in the letters but the look in his eyes told her that he could. So, how would she explain to Darien that Davidson Black… now Diamond had been pressing her father for years for her hand? That he had even suggested that she would be kidnapped. This threat granted her a three month trip in Europe which she was more thankful than scared.

If she had never seen the letters on her fathers desk he would have kept her in the dark. He was already so protective and made sure that no one but Darien look at her as a future bride. As she told Darien she stayed true to him. She had to hope that he would marry so she would not be forced in to society or forced to choose a husband so soon. She shivered at the other things David Black said he would do. She had lied well when Diamond had asked if her father mentioned him.

In the letters they specifically said please tell My Dearest Serenity Anne of me and how I love her. And how I will dote on her so. Make her want me or make her hurt. She shivered that the thought. Yes, pretending to not now of the letters was a smart move. She was ahead of his game now and her family could not be a target since they were back in England.

He had ruined Serenity Anne for her. She made people call her Serena because of him and the sick things he wrote to her father.

Now she had to figure out how to send the telegram without Mina being made aware.

Nalini came and did her hair and when she had left the room Serena strapped the gun to her leg in a holster as Andrew had showed her. Serena walked downstairs surprised to find Darien waiting for her.

"Good Morning, Serenity Anne." Darien said chipper.

She again flinched at the name. "Please, do not call me that." She said a tad more forcible than intended. She took the telegram she was holding and folded it in her hand to hide it.

"Are you going to explain to me about last night?" He followed her toward the dining room and pulled out a chair for her.

"Do you have the paper, Lt. Shields?" She asked ignoring him.

"I will give it to you after we have spoken." He sat down across from her.

She didn't look at him as she slid the telegram in to her skirt waistband.

"What is it, my wife, that you do not like about Davidson Diamond?" He took a sip of coffee and he noticed a flash fear in her eyes as she pretended to ignore him.

She swallowed loudly. "I was told my father wrote you as to why." She avoided his gaze and sipped her own coffee.

"When?" He asked perplexed at her answer.

"Three months before you sent for me." She said slowly now searching his face. He didn't know. Maybe this was for the best.

Darien felt a flush. He had been ignoring all mail from the Kingsley's since he started his fling with Beryl.

"But you didn't know him?" Darien stated as a question.

"By face no. By name… yes. What he said about growing up near was true but aside from me seeing him when he was quite small I would never have recognized him as an adult. I am not even sure how he knows my face. He never mentioned that his name had changed to Diamond in the letters." A small shutter she was trying to hold in let loose. She realized that even if Darien was made aware he would have never of known that it was Davidson Diamond.

"What was in the letters?" Darien asked curiously. Wondering what could scare this beautiful woman. What could Diamond have done to his wife?

"You didn't read any of the letters my parents sent, did you?" She accused now. She had assumed this, the realization as to feeling like she was a pawn in a game set her emotions on fire.

He felt heat rush through him. Embarrassed again. Should he lie or tell her the truth?

"No." He stated.

She nodded. "Well, I am sure I over reacted anyway. I am sorry about last night." She lied again. She would protect herself from that bastard of a man and she needed more information.

"You were not over reacting, Serena. You were scared of him." Darien was looking for the truth here but he should already know the truth. Damn he was a fool.

"I was. I had not seen him since he was a year child nor did I know that he was now Davidson Diamond. I think I shall telephone Lita and see if she would like to spend the morning here before we are picked up. You should be off to work about now. Correct, Lt. Shields?"

She didn't know why she was on the verge of crying. Was it because this man across from her truly didn't care for her? Why didn't he read any of her parents lsetters asking about of marriage? Why did he even marry her anyway? Surly it wasn't to keep her safe from Davidson Black Diamond.

She needed to know if he kept the letters. Maybe she could hide them from him. If she could then he would have no obligation toward her.

"What was in the letters, Serena." He now growled at her. She could see the anger in his eyes. She cocked her head now angry as well. The anger covered the sadness.

"Where are the letters?" She hissed back.

"I have all of them so there is no need to lie to me." He told her.

"Threats." She said sternly and she stood.

He followed the movement. "What kinds of threats?" He demanded.

He could expect this from Diamond. The man was scum. Vial. He wanted to keep Beryl from him but he saw the look in Diamonds eye when he looked at Serena. He knew she was not lying about this.

"You have the letters, Darien. Don't ask me what is in them for I…" She gulped. "I don't want to utter the words aloud."

She had to turn away, she couldn't show weakness.

"Don't read the letters, Darien. If you chose to… do it for Lady Westbanks sake. I can take care of myself." and she walked away.

As much as the sun shinned on India it was the darkest place she had ever been.

The girls where in awe of Bombay. It as a bustling city and port. The colors, smells, and liveliness was everywhere. It was so much different than London. Rei had taken them to a beautiful cafe where they feasted on nann and curry. Serena had sent her telegram feeling better now that she did. She needed to give her parents closure if anything did happen. Mina and Serena were not sure where Luna had found a home but Rei mentioned that it might be worth looking in the trade area. If Luna was doing anything it would be getting fabrics.

The trading area was unlike anything they had ever seen. Lita was so taken a back by all of the spices and nuts. She purchased as many as she could. Rei knew her way around quite well and was greeted by many of the stall owners.

Serena couldn't miss Luna as she walked through the fabrics, already a bundle of colors in her hands. Rei must be a psychic to have found her so fast.

"Luna!" Serena shouted over the noise.

The eclectic black haired woman turned around. A smile lit her face as the five girls came toward her.

"Oh my! Girls! How are you?" She gushed looking at them. India truly was doing wonders for Luna. She looked radiant so unlike she did when they first met her in the tea room in India.

"Wonderful." Mina cried out. "It is truly amazing here. I can see now why you wanted to come back."

"Oh, yes. I must agree with Mina. This city is sprawling with culture and life." Amy nodded.

"I am so glad you love it. Well, come now! I must show you my latest designs." Luna smiled and then she went and paid the shop keeper.

She led them though back alleys and across busy streets when finally they were at a small apartment. It was bigger than Serena had expected. The girls all fit just fine.

Luna started to bring out some of her latest designs and Serena could see Rei's face light up like Christmas morning.

"Oh, Luna. Who have you showed these to?" Rei said in wonder.

Luna smiled. "You all are the first to see my designs."

"I will take them all." Rei was enamored by the clothes. She went and touched each piece falling in love.

Luna stood back in shock. "Really?"

"Yes… yes these are amazing. When can you come and fit me for them?" she asked.

"Tomorrow if you would like." Luna stuttered.

"Way to let us choose." Lita joked. Rei gave her a beaming smile.

"Maybe the second designs I will let you all have a chance." Rei joked.

She looked at Luna who was clearly catatonic. "If you are worried I am taking your first designs don't be. Once I start wearing these you better be able to make a lot more."

Luna beamed more than she ever thought possible. Serena and Mina were angels to her for bringing her another life changing opportunity.

Serena sat in the car on the way back to the Bombay house more troubled than when she had left. Everyone was in love with India, and Serena hated and despised the country. Everything about India was a burden. She hated the heat, her husband, Diamond, her husbands mistress, missing her family, …. she was trying to grasp on to the happier things. Like making new friends and the experience but she was ready to be out of this nightmare and back home on her manor. She felt out of sorts with this lifestyle and even though she was intrigued by the culture and recent events this would never be her home. She could never pretend to be as entranced with India as Beryl was and Darien. He should have married her as they had more in common. Her father would have found her another suitor to derail Diamond … hopefully… and she would be back in a world she understood.

The car pulled in to the Bombay house and Serena felt exhaustion wash over her.

"Serena, dear, are you okay?" Rei asked once they were in the house.

"Oh, yes. I am just tired." She smiled at her.

"Cousin, please go lie down. Dinner is not for awhile yet. You have time." Mina told her looking at her with concern. She had not been able to talk to Serena privately since she had been married. She needed to talk to her soon because Serena was hiding something. She could feel it in her gut.

"I shall do that." Serena agreed. She had to rest her mind.

"Punjab please show Mrs. Shields to her room." Rei directed.

"Rei, I know where to go." Serena said dazed.

"Serena, you are the mistress of the house." Rei stressed implication clear in her tone.

"Yes, shouldn't I have my own quarters?" She thought to her parents home where they each had separate rooms connected by a door.

Rei shook her head. "This is not England, Serena…"

Serena shook her head realizing that she would have to sleep in Darien's room here. She was too tired to argue as she would be awake before he even came home.

Darien was speeding to his house in Bombay, a trail of dust behind him. Fury was boiling in his blood. After work he went to find the letters that Serena had mentioned this morning and he was appalled and disgusted by what he had read.

Serena's father had written him quite forcefully to wed his daughter. That he was going to die and he couldn't protect her from Black until Darien told him if he was to keep the agreement to wed or to break it. Either way he needed Serena to be married so someone would watch over her and she not become a spinster. Andrew could not watch over her forever as he would take to take over the estate when he passed. Diamond was too obsessed and he was not quite sure what he was capable of.

Commander Kingsley was right. Davidson Black was obsessed with Serena.. no his dearest Serenity Anne is what he called her. The letters started out normal. Asking for Serenity's hand in marriage dismissing the fact that she was betrothed to Darien. The letters became a tad more eerie over time, with accusations of how Darien Shields would never love her the way he did. How he would take care of her like no other man and how he would worship her. Later letters written when Serena was of a proper age to be wed became proclamations of love for Serena did not end but the threats started. He alluded to kidnaping her as she slept. He promised would steal her from Darien.

Darien fumed when the threats started to include him as Diamond said would kill him. But the worst one was that he would 'take' Serenity like a mans should a wife so she had no choice but to marry him, for Darien Shields would never want a used wife.

Darien knew that he felt lust for his beautiful bride. It had only been two days since they had been wed but he was more and more intrigued by her. She, despite these threats, had a backbone.

He also knew that no other woman's touch ever sparked him. Yes, physical sensations on contact with her made him want her like no woman he had ever had before. Darien Shields had stolen two kisses from her. Two kisses that had almost been his undoing.

He felt a strange possessiveness toward his wife. He had told himself he was not to have these feeling at all but now it was worse. The need to get to Serena was primal. Like a mother protecting a child.

It was all too clear as to why Serena had given in to the show of affection when she placed Diamond's true name. An embrace, her touch, driving him mad all the while. Darien also knew that Serena loathed him which was also a cue that something was amiss. He could see it in her eyes how much she detested his presence.

She didn't worship him like other women. Like Beryl.

Beryl. His thoughts drifted to her again. Did she know about this? Did anyone know about this? He had to protect her as well from this lunatic. He had been torn on where to go. Beryl was usually alone with Diamond and he had never hurt her before. Serena would be safe with his family; however, they did not know of these threats.

Diamond didn't want Beryl, though, he now realized. He wanted Serena. That is why Diamond was targeting Beryl this whole time. That is why he always signed his name in the letters as Davidson Black so even if Darien had been made aware he may never have put two and two together. Yes, he would have to go to his… wife. He needed answers.

The moment he pulled in to the drive he was out of the car. Sunil didn't even have time to open the door for him as he walked with purpose to the living area.

Everyone stood to greet him in the sitting area. Everyone but Serena.

"Ah! Darien…" James began to say.

"Where is Serena?" He said in an authoritative tone cutting off his brother in law.

"Why? Darien you look angry? Have a drink." Rei stated worried that he was going to yell at his bride for something.

"Rei! It is not the time! Where is she?" He yelled this time. Oh yes, he was angry and Rei knew not to mess with him.

"Sleeping." She said wishing Darien would take a liking to Serena. She wished for Darien to be happy. Darien quickly turned to find Serena.

"Lt. Shields, wait!" Mina said quickly. "A telegram report delivery has been sent for Serena and a telegram for her from her father. Please take them to her." Mina handed him two letters and Darien turned from the room and started up the stairs, two at a time.

He went to the room that Serena previous occupied and felt his heart drop when she was not sound asleep in the bed. Panic set in but he told himself to calm down. He turned from the room and headed toward his own. If she wasn't in his bed he was going to tear this house apart looking for her.

He marched in to his room and asleep in the middle of his large canopied bed she slept. Her blond hair surrounding her like a halo. Just like in his visions of her. She had a pout on her perfect lips and she slept soundly. Her chest gently falling and rising with each soft breath.

She was safe. His heart did not slow down but it was not panic that was causing the blood to pump. She really was beautiful.

She was a curse.

He walked closer to the bed as he couldn't take his eyes off her. A scowl came to his lips as he realized how worried he had been over her. People were entranced by her. His friends as they defended her, his family already loved her and welcomed her in, Seyia who clearly wanted her and now Diamond… Diamond that had threatened to kidnap her to have her. Hurt her. Take her. Rape her.

A feral growl came through his lips… "Mine." He hissed.

She was his. He may not love her but, Serena, Serenity Anne Shields was his. She bore his name.

She was his diamond… a diamond in the roughness of his heart.

He didn't want to wake her and he remembered the two telegrams is his hand.

He went to a large french canopy chair in his room and sat where he had a clear sight of his slumbering bride.

The first was a delivery confirmation of a telegram she must has sent to her parents. What would she have wrote them? That she wanted to come home? That she hated him? Would she lie and say all was well?

He ripped it open and his face turned to stone as he read the words she wrote to them. Simple.

Father

Davidson Black in India. If anything should happen to me. I love you.

Rini

So, she didn't think that he would protect her from Diamond. His wife feared that something would happen to her and she felt that she should tell her parents that she loved them… he had read the letters. She did have to fear.

He opened the telegram from her parents and read:

Rini,

Thought it was safe. Where is Lt. Shields? Come home. I will send Andrew to get you. Let no one know you are leaving. Will send word with the dates of his arrival. Keep yourself safe. I love you.

His eyes turned black at the words Commander Kingsley had written. Come home. So he wanted her to leave in the night and disappear did he? She no longer had his last name though.

What if she had read this… she would have left. He knew this. She had no reason to stay.

He didn't care. She was his. He left the room and penned a telegram giving it to Punjab to send immediately.

Commander Kingsley,

I will protect her. Do not worry.

Lt. Major Darien Shields.

Serena's eyes slowly opened to the unfamiliar room. It was dark. She sat up quickly, reality setting in. How come no one had woken her? She pulled the covers off her and slipped out of the bed in a haste. She had slept in her dress slip and she had no clue as to the time.

"Shit." She murmured to herself. Where was a clock in this room?

A light flicked on behind her and she turned quickly, defensively taking steps back toward the bed.

Darien was sitting in one of the chairs in the large room. He looked rigid. He was sitting up straight and his legs were crossed. His arms gripped the arms of the chair. His eyes were dark, shadowed by the canopy on the chair.

"Jesus, Darien." She let out a breath she was holding. "Scared me senseless. Good god." She looked down at herself. "Turn around, I am not dressed!" She flushed red and went to grab the silk robe on the back of the door. She quickly slipped it on embarrassed keeping her back towward her intruder.

She felt warm, strong arms wrap around her. She stiffened. Darien's breath was on her neck and she heard him breathe in heart lurched and she felt light headed. His hands went to her robe ties and he quickly unknotted them sliding the robe off her. He was so quick she didn't have time to react. His hands went to the thin straps of her slip and he began to slip to slip it off of her shoulders. Her hands quickly pushed him off and she stepped away from him. Turning to look at him.

He was devilishly handsome. His black hair ruffled and a shadow of a stubble had already began to show on his chiseled jaw line. His midnight blue eyes had a look of lust in them. She had seen that look before. A look that always led to something more and then her being left cold.

"What are you doing, Lt. Shields." She gasped.

"I thought I was making my intentions clear." He smirked at her.

She glared at him. "We, sir, have an understanding." She hissed trying to maintain calm. If he kissed her it would be her undoing and she would give in to him.

The smirk didn't leave his face as he prowled toward her. She stepped backwards.

She hit the wall and braced up against it.

He let out a soft laugh. "No where to go my wife." He smiled at her.

"Shields, we have an agreement. You keep to your harem and I sir play the part."

His hand came and caressed her face gently. She closed her eyes and moved in to the touch. Her body betraying her.

"Ah… so you feel it too." He said softly.

Her eyes popped open and she glared at him. "I will not play these game. Now what do you want?"

"You." He said simply.

Her heart was beating outside her chest. She wouldn't be another one of his women.

"And then what, husband? You leave me as you have all the other times. You go to her once you have had me?" She spat at him.

His eyes which were soft and gentle had turned hard. He stepped away from her at the reference to Beryl.

"Ah, so you are still not over her? Well that is good. Maybe you can protect her from Davidson Black… I mean Diamond." She stated. She thought saying this would hurt her but it didn't. No woman should have to deal with that man.

Darien recoiled at Diamonds name.

"The only person I will be protecting from Diamond is you, Serena. We need to discuss these letters." Darien said firmly having forgotten in his moment of intense need to have Serena.

She stood like a statue and looked away from him. "So, you kept them." She let out softly. She wished he hadn't. She didn't expect to feel so… exposed.

"You don't seem happy that I did." He quirked an eyebrow at her.

She ignored him and bent down grabbing her robe. He noticed that her hand was shaking but he was not sure if it was because of him or because of Diamond. He also got an amazing view of her cleavage. He let out a groan.

"Are we missing dinner?" She asked not really wanting to know the answer.

He had to smirk at her again. "Missed dinner, my dear."

"Ugh." She walked to the bed and sat down, annoyed. "Why didn't you wake me?"

"My mind was… preoccupied. I will send for dinner. We need to talk."

"Send for a drink then if you wish to have an actual conversation with me." She answered back quickly. She needed to slow her heart and her nerves.

He was amused by her. "Gin?" He asked smiling.

"If that is the strongest you have, gin it is." She smirked back at him.

Darien pulled a tassel on the opposite side of the bed. Then he took off his shirt and began to take off his pants. Serena turned away. she could feel thereat rise in her face.

"Good god what are you doing!" She groaned. "You are insufferable."

"Getting ready to eat dinner in bed. It's a past time for me since I run a business as well."

"Sir, an Englishman wears bed clothing." She hissed still not turning around.

"I am no Englishman." He got in to the bed and then his hand went around her small waist again dragging her in to the bed.

He whispered in her ear, "Punjab will be here in a second. I don't want him seeing you like this." He grabbed the covers and pulled them over her. But Punjab did not come, it was Padma.

"Yes, sir, lady?" She asked.

"Can you please have our dinner heated up and two glasses of gin. Punjab will know what I like."

"Yes sir."

"Mrs. Matthais has left you clothes and a night dress, my lady." she said.

"Thank you." Serena said and Padma exited the room.

Serena quickly moved away from him, as far as the bed allowed.

"So, Serena it seems that you have a stalker." He meant it to come out sounding indifferent but it came out low and fierce.

Serena eyed him trying not to stare at his well sculpted chest. "More like a pen pal I never wrote back to." She said lightly.

"This is not a joke." His voice was authoritative.

She sighed. "Trust me… I know."

"Did he ever act out any of his threats!" Darien reacted when she confirmed that this was a serious matter.

"No!" She said quickly. "Or not that I know of. The only reason I know is because I saw the letters in my fathers study. I am sure if he had my father would have contacted Scotland Yard but my father was a proud man. We did have a few guards on our manor."

"What do you mean…" But he was cut off when Padma came back in to dress Serena.

She got out of bed and ducked behind the changing screen in the room and Padma quickly dressed her. She didn't feel too much better because this nightgown was practically see through. She used her old robe as well. Serena then sat at the edge of the bed and Padma started on her hair. If she was going to stay in this room then she would need a vanity.

"Padma you can go." Darien said sternly to her after she had taken down Serena's hair. She nodded and left the room, closing the large teak door behind her.

Her body was telling her to get in the bed and under the covers to sleep next to her adonis of a husband. Her mind was calling him all sorts of bad words. She got up from the bed and went and sat in the same chair that Darien had been when she had woken up.

"That's childish." He scolded. His eyes dark as they followed her.

"Like I said we have an agreement and this is technically a violation." She stated sticking with her decision.

"It's been two days and I have been with you the whole time." He said exasperated.

"Like you said, it's only been two days. You left me at our wedding with her and the first day as husband and wife you invited her to our house with a crazed man." She challenged him.

She was right and he had no standing ground. He cleared his throat.

"So what do you mean you do not know if he ever acted on any of them?" he said gruffly to change the subject. She stayed mute.

"Start talking or I will come and get you." He said in a velvet, smooth voice.

She gave him a look and she saw he meant it. His midnight blue eyes looked black as they looked at her appreciatively.

"I was given a lot of freedom at home but that came with things I had to live up to. I was taught how to shoot a gun and I kept one on me most times. I was taught to drive. I never went anywhere without someone with me." She started to explain why she would have been confused if Diamond had attempted anything. She would not have known but precautions were taken.

"Excuse me, carry a gun. On you?" He stuttered out.

"Yes, a 1922 semi-automatic brownning. I have it with me now. Now that I know what he looks like I will not go anywhere without it." She said like this was common knowledge.

Darien was up and out of the bed in a second. "That is a military weapon. Where is it?" He asked quickly.

She smirked at him letting him know that it was her secret.

"You, Serena Kingsley are not anything I expected. You are something else entirely. Now, where do you keep this weapon." He asked again his midnight blue eyes flashing.

She got up slowly making sure not to look at her husband who was just in a short pair of under garments. "You didn't have to get up." She told him.

She walked to the bed where she was sleeping and pulled the gun from under the pillow.

He was trying hard not to gape at her. He made a motion with his hand for her to hand it over but then there was a knock at the door.

She placed it back under the pillow and Darien went and grabbed his robe.

"You may enter." He said gruffly.

Padma came in with a small rolling cart with the gin and two dinner trays on it.

"You are dismissed. I will place the cart outside the door when we are finished. Thank you." He practically snapped at her. She hurried from the room.

Serena let out a held breath. "If she would have seen that gun she may think I was trying to kill you."

He tried not to laugh. "Hand it here." He said gently.

She pulled the browning from under the pillow again and handed it to him.

He opened it up shocked to see that it was loaded.

"It's loaded." He said.

She laughed walking toward the food. "Did you think I was going to hit him with it?"

He frowned. "Why would your father do this unless Diamond had tried to fulfill his threats?"

Serena took a sip of her gin. "I was taught to defend myself at a very young age but that was mostly because of my father's position in the military. Then when I turned fifteen I was taught how to use a gun and drive. Andrew was with me at all times before this anyway. There was an… incident when I was thirteen so Andrew being around at all times was normal." Serena opened one of the trays and began to eat. Darien came and grabbed his drink now. He needed it.

"You should eat too. You waited for me after all. You must be hungry." Serena said taking a bite.

"What incident?" Darien asked not moving from his stance.

"I will tell you if you eat." She told him simply.

He grabbed his tray reluctantly and moved to the desk.

She waited for him to take a bite and she sipped on her gin. He took a forkful and she smiled.

"When I was thirteen my parents had guests over, as normal, but one of their sons snuck in to my room at night."

"He what!?" Darien said shock coloring his face. "You belonged to me."

She laughed. "I defended myself just fine. The same… well the same thing had happened to Mina as well. She also can protect herself. But still, Andrew went everywhere with me."

"Oh, god. Don't ever tell Malcom that. He would get down on one knee tomorrow." Darien said annoyed.

"Mina will not be married off so easily" Serena smiled to herself.

"So what of Diamond?" Darien asked. He needed more of this story.

Serena was suddenly annoyed. She was telling Darien all of these things about herself and yet she knew nothing of him. They had not even had one proper conversation since she arrived in India. He only wanted to know this information because of Beryl Westbanks. Her heart constricted painfully.

"Look… You are more than welcome to show Colonel Westbanks the letters to keep your mistress safe. There is no reason to interrogate me and my past. You now know that I can take care of myself and I am sure Lady Westbanks can not. I will also have my father send a letter explaining. This should serve as enough evidence to break their engagement." Serena told him with no emotion in her voice.

Darien looked at her enraged.

"Please, do not look at me as if you do not care about her. Like I have said something blasphemous. I see how you look at her and she you. Just try not to do it in public so I don't have to have pity eyes on me." She finished her drink off after she said the words.

She didn't know if she should stay or go. She wanted to go but Rei made it clear she was to sleep in here. She was no longer hungry.

"I am going to get another drink." She stated. "If I don't return stick to our agreement."

She stood up and Darien matched her motion. She eyed the door as did he.

"I telegrammed your father that I would protect you." He stated.

"Why would you do that?" She said annoyed but the bewilderment was on her face.

"Because he wanted you to go home… and I want you to stay." The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them.

"If my father wants me home then I should go." She said not believing him and relived she could get out of this hell hole.

He stalked toward her but this time she stood her ground. "You do not belong to your father. You belong to me. You, are mine."

He was standing in front of her, eyes on her face.

"Darien, if you think that I am submitting myself to you… you are very, very wrong. You can not earn my trust in two days. I will let you lie to my family but not to me."

He nodded. He wanted her in so many ways and now he was sure that he wanted her trust and possibly her love.

He let his fingertips trace her jawline leaving an electric current coursing through her body.

"I will protect you." He stated firmly. His eyes serious and soft. She wished he was not so good looking. She wished she did not want him too look at her with an undying love. Her face stayed impassive.

She rose an eyebrow considering but then she slowly nodded.

"Can I kiss you?" He asked softly.

"It would be the first time you asked." She said softly.

"I will take that as a yes." He he bent down and kissed her gently. She pulled away before the usual intensity came.

"Stay in here with me. I won't touch you." He told her cupping her face. She didn't know what brought on the change but she wouldn't trust it.

"I will only comply for tonight so rumors do not circulate." She told him sternly.

He nodded and went to stack up the food trays. He put them on the cart and wheeled them out the door. Serena didn't move. Her brain was not comprehending the situation she was now in.

"Go, bed." He told her.

Serena didn't mean to be the devil but she was going to see how far she could push Darien Shields. She slowly took off her robe revealing her practically see through night dress and went and hung her robe up. Then she got in to bed not looking at Darien at all. Not seeing the effect she had on him but she thought she heard a groan.

He turned off the light and went to his side of the bed.

"Goodnight, Serena." He said stiffly.

"Night, Lt. Shields." She said with a smile.

The reviews get better and better everyday! You all really make me upload my chapters so much quicker than I plan on.

I love what everyone thinks is going to happen...Everyone is so close and SOOOOO far off. Keep the guesses coming.

I have two VERY young kids and I now stay at home, giving up my career to be with my children. This is the BEST creative outlet I have and your reviews make me feel like I am doing something worthwhile for myself. No, it does not bring in any money but It does bring in self worth. I love you all. Thank you and keep reviewing so I post quicker.!

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