Diana Racine 02 - Goddess of the Moon

knows too much, knows who we all are. We’re not quite ready to change locations , although we may soon have to .”
    “He’ll never say anything as long as you have me. He’d never put my life in danger.”
    Slater put the glass of water on the bedside table, then brushed a curl from Diana’s forehead. She steeled herself against shivering at his touch, but she failed miserably and cringed.
    Smiling, he said, “Do I disgust you that much?”
    “No,” she lied, and bit back the threaten ing nausea. Maybe this was a game after all, she reasoned, and playing was her way out. “You did fascinate me, Edward. Right from the beginning, even before I knew what you went through. The richness of your mind, your philosophy. Then, when I learned more about you, you became more fascinating. How you fought your way back to the living. I bought your story.” A tear escaped from the corner of her eye. She didn’t know why.
    “Yes, I knew we shared an intellectual bond, and I think you were physically attracted to me ― before you knew.”
    “Intellectual ly , yes, but not physical ly , although I thought … think you’re an attractive man. I won’t lie to make you believe there was anything more. I’m in love with Ernie, and that will never change.”
    “Pity. You still fascinate me. From the first time we met. You’re unlike anyone, Diana. Beautiful, intelligent, compassionate. Of course, I realize when you learned about me, you felt sympathy, as did those few who knew. But I could make you ecstatically happy. I know how to do things that pleasure a woman in ways she can’t imagine.”
    He gently caressed her cheek , leaving a burning trail from his touch.
    She took a deep breath and forced herself still. A cringe at that moment could ruin everything. “Let Ernie go first.”
    A momentary frown crossed Slater’s face, then he smiled. “I haven’t told you how very beautiful you look tonight.” He ran a finger along her neckline. “Feminine. Ruffles suit you. You dress too simpl y , almost mannish ly , with your jeans and man-tailored shirts. This is definitely more attractive.”
    “If you want me, release Ernie. I’ll do anything you want ― after I know he’s safe.”
    Slater got up. His tone changed. “You’re not in a bargaining position.”
    She couldn’t let Lucier’s life slip away . “I don’t love you, Edward, but I can learn. We have things in common. Like you said, an intellectual bond. We can develop our relationship into something more.”
    “ Don’t patronize me, Diana,” Slater snapped. “I’m not a stupid man.”
    “Then you know I’m not patronizing you. If you don’t let him go, you’ll need to drug me, because I ’ll never do anything willingly. That would spoil what we could have.”
    “ Our drugs will make you beg to do whatever we want just to get your next fix , and they won’t affect the fetus. You ’ll forget all about your cop lover .”
    His words instilled in Diana a fear she’d never known . Her insides quaked at the thought , because s he believed him .
    He sat next to her on the bed. “You ’ll want to love me , Diana . ” He brushed his finger back and forth inside her bottom lip . When she jerked her head away, he said, “ You’ll need to.”
    His gaze dropped from her eyes to her chest, and started to unbutton the top button of her dress . She got up. “Sit, Diana , and d on’t move unless I tell you to.”
    She stood defiant.
    “Sit , ” he commanded in a stern tone she hadn’t heard before.
    This wasn’t the time to start trouble, so she sat.
    He unbuttoned the top of her dress and eyed the oversized bra. “I see we miscalculated .” He slipped the straps off her shoulders, and the bra fell , exposing her small breasts. He touched the tip of her nipple. “ Like a china doll, s o tiny.”
    Diana thought back to th e night in the cabin and what that psychopath had done to her. Put yourself in another place, Diana. Go to your fantasy tropical paradise, with the su n soaking into your salty skin.
    “No, dammit! Not this time.” She pulled up her dress and slid off the bed. “Hook me on drugs. Do anything you want, but you’ll never own me. Not until you release Ernie. Let him go, and I’ll be yours.”
    Slater looked as if he’d been slapped , and Diana saw the conflicted, tortured being whose vulnerability made her believe him in the first place. But the man was also a monster ― a twisted Jekyll and Hyde.
    “You’ll be who