Free Illicit Craving (Bend To My Will #5) by Emily Jane Trent

way. Then it came back to her… Jacob .
    Loneliness swept over Vivienne with palpable force, and she reached across the bed. When she found it empty, heartbreak burgeoned. She was alone, in her room at the penthouse. Had Jacob slept with her? Or had he left her by herself, and reverted to occupying separate rooms?
    Whipping back the covers, Vivienne leapt from her bed. She didn’t know where Jacob was, or how he was, causing panic to surge. Quickly, she went to the bathroom, splashed water on her face, and made herself presentable, barely. Then she dressed in jeans and a blouse before making her way downstairs.
    Anxious about what she might find, Vivienne approached the main room with caution. When she saw no sign of Jacob, she progressed to the dining room. There she found him, staring out the window. He didn’t turn to look at her. The shadow that clouded his handsome face was alarming.
    Vivienne couldn’t breathe. “Good morning, Jacob.” She tried to sound as normal as possible.
    “Good morning, Vivienne,” he said, without turning to face her.
    Jacob’s coldness made her timid to approach him, but she did anyway. When she stood next to him, hoping he would pull her onto his lap, he finally looked up. But instead of opening his arms, he motioned for her to sit next to him.
    Vivienne slumped into the chair, at a loss. She knew Jacob had issues, but she hadn’t seen him like this before. “Are you okay?”
    Without a smile, Jacob looked into her eyes. “That’s what I should be asking you.”
    “Are you asking me?” Vivienne kept her voice light, hoping to change the mood.
    “I don’t have to ask,” Jacob said. “I took care of you last night.”
    “I’m sorry you had to do that.”
    “No, Vivienne, don’t be sorry,” Jacob said. “That was as it should be. It is my duty to care for you after a particularly intense scene.”
    “I’m better now.”
    “I can see that, and I’m glad.” Jacob’s blue eyes were dark, and his tone gloomy. “But I think last night demonstrated what I’ve tried to tell you before.”
    Fear cut through her like a knife. Vivienne dreaded what he was about to say. “What, Jacob? I think you are overly concerned about me.”
    “No, that’s just it, Vivienne. I haven’t been concerned enough,” Jacob said. “I’ve indulged my cravings, and given in to urges that are better left untapped.”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “You do, Vivienne. You just don’t want to.” Jacob’s body was rigid, his eyes like steel. “I’m not safe to be around.”
    “That’s crazy,” Vivienne said. “It was a scene we played out. It was…” She floundered, unable to think of what would persuade him.
    “That’s not all it was,” Jacob said. “It should have been. But there are things inside me you shouldn’t see, and that I don’t want you to experience.”
    Vivienne’s heart fell. He couldn’t mean what she thought he did.
    “I can protect you from many things,” Jacob said. “But I cannot protect you from me, not as long as we continue the way we are.”
    Stunned, Vivienne just stared at him. This couldn’t be happening.
    “It’s not safe to be around me,” Jacob said, then paused. He gripped his knees, as if forcing himself not to touch her. “You better go,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion. “I’ll have Ian drive you home.”
    Vivienne felt ill. Her world crashed around her, and it was as though an iron fist gripped her heart. Tears filled her eyes and her throat locked up. If there was anything that would make him change his mind, Vivienne didn’t know what that was.
    Jacob was unapproachable. He looked away from her, his body tense. It was as though there was an unseen barrier between them, an invisible wall that Vivienne couldn’t break through. She stood up and fled the room.
    Reaching the front door, she yanked it open and, blinded by tears, stabbed at the elevator button. It opened immediately, and Ian stood there,