Ruin (Rhodes #1) by Rina Kent

                             My eyes widen. My muscles freeze. All coherent thoughts evaporate.

                             What the hell is he doing?

                             When I’m about to freak out for real, he releases my hair and locks his dispassionate gaze with my baffled one. “That’s yet to be determined.”

                             “Aren’t you supposed to figure that out before you kidnap me or something?”

                             Oh. My. God.

                             Who the hell said that? That may be my voice, but that isn’t me. I don’t sass. Ever. Why would I experiment on someone who may kill me? Seriously. What’s wrong with me?

                             That’s it. I’m royally going nuts.

                             The stranger moves his hand and I close my eyes, expecting a blow. Instead, warmth erupts in my wrist as he wraps his palm around it, his fingers caressing the pulse point in a soft touch.

                             Wait... he’s not hurting me.

                             I peek from under my eyelashes, my heartbeat calming a little.

                             Big mistake.

                             “This is the only piece of advice I will provide, so listen well.” His gentleman’s tone takes a darker turn. “Do not test my patience.”

                             “Or what?” I’m ashamed at my small defeated voice.

                             Sharp pain bursts in my wrist when his fingers press against the skin, in an obvious attempt to break it. “Do you really wish to know that?”

                             Tears spring to my eyes. I shake my head in a frenzy.

                             He releases me with a gentle gesture and backs away. My hand flies to the assaulted wrist, massaging the burning ache.

                             His warning is clear. He’s not the type of man I should play games with. If I give him a reason, I’ll meet my end sooner rather than later.

                             The stranger’s gaze drops to my now-red wrist. “You do bruise from a snap of a finger.”

                             He says it with such wonder. As if he considered the option before.

                             His lips widen in a smile. It reaches the inky pools of his eyes, causing them to glint. Fascinated, I stop rubbing my wrists and stare at him.

                             The stranger’s smile is the most terrifyingly beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

                             How is that even possible?

                             The momentary change slips away as fast as it came, and his eyes go back to their punishing darkness. He gives me a knowing look before he turns and heads to the door.

                             “What’s your name?” I whisper, almost afraid he will hear.

                             He stops in front of the exit but doesn’t turn. “Aaron.”