Ajax's hand pressed down on my hips, pushing me deeper into the storage room. Our steps were slow and soundless as we moved together, away from the door. I clutched the bag tightly in my hands, not knowing if I should be more worried about Ajax who now had been cornered or the person who was roaming the barn. But, even if it wasn't the best choice, I stayed silent and slowly turned to face Ajax, my back now pressed against a shelving unit. I couldn't see him in the darkness but he was so close I could feel the heat coming off his body. And it was delicious. I knew I should try to fight it but my heart was pounding with delight.

I could tell that Ajax felt the same way. His hands found my hips again and his thumbs swept upward. He let out a low sigh, like he wanted so much more but knew better. I didn't fully understand why the man who had kidnapped me was restraining himself, but I was thankful for it anyway.

The steps drew nearer. I could hear a distinctly female voice, murmuring to the horses as she passed. It must've been a groom checking up on the animals in the middle of the night.

Ajax stepped closer to me. I could feel the warmth of his breath on the right side of my neck. My head tipped away from him, giving him better access to the sensitive skin. It was like being near him made me drunk. Any idea of fighting him was gone. All I cared about was how close he was and how to get him closer without making any noise.

The woman was almost at the storage room door now.

Ajax sensed my movement, sensed my willingness. I could feel the way he held his breath and tightened his hold on me. It was like he couldn't believe this moment was happening. I couldn't believe it either. His head bowed down. I felt the tip of his nose brush against the smooth skin. Then, his lips grazed over it.

One hand released the pillow case I was holding to cover my mouth. The gasp that left me was uncontrollable. My knees weakened, but Ajax was there to hold me up. it felt like there was wildfire coursing through my body.

"Those damn stable hands are always leaving the doors open," the woman hissed to herself. Then, there was a creaking noise as she shut the barn door closed behind herself.

Ajax and I didn't move away from each other. He had adjusted so he was no longer kissing my neck, but he was still holding my body to his, pressing me back into the shelves. I was both thankful for the interruption and devastated that I hadn't been able to continue.

I dropped my hand away from my mouth and clutched at my pillow case with both hands again because it forced a little more space between us. I was aware that I had been trying to leave at one point but it all seemed do distant now. I couldn't fathom leaving Ajax.

But my movement and the attempt to collect myself was enough to make Ajax moved back, giving me some much needed space. I heard him shuffle around for a while, then the small space was illuminated. I let out a strangled noise and blinked hard against the invasive light, but when I adjusted I saw the way Ajax was staring at me. Or rather, the bag I was desperately holding onto.

"Leaving so soon?" His voice was mechanical, but I could see the concern etched into his features.

"Did you really expect me to stay?" I whispered back. The space between us allowed me to clear my head. "Did you think that caging me in like an animal would make me fall in love with you?"

"I never wanted to cage you in," he denied, shaking his head. "I just wanted those drugs to wear off so that you could start to feel what you are."

"What I am?" I demanded, stunned. The only real response I could muster was a cruel laugh, "Jesus Christ, you are messed in the head, aren't you?" The words felt too mean coming off my lips but I didn't know how else to react.

Ajax said nothing. I watched the way his teeth captured his lower lip as he stared away from me. I had hurt his feelings and that made me feel guilty, but I refused to take it back. Then, when he turned his green eyes back to me there was a fiery determination within them.

"This process is taking a lot longer than I thought it would, but it doesn't matter. We deserve to know the truth. At least what you can understand. I was waiting until your mom and Holly arrived, but I can't wait that long anymore."

"You were brining Holly and my mom here?" I wasn't sure if I should be delighted or horrified. "My mom has never left America, how would you convince her to come to Germany."

"Come on, if you need time away from the palace then let's go," he offered, nodding his head towards the door.

I wasn't sure what to make of this, but I followed him out of the storage room. And I continued to follow him out of the barn, over the manicured lawn, to the garage. My cheeks heated up when I thought of the intense moment we had shared here as well.

"Alright," he mused, flicking on the light, "What car do you want to take?"

"That one," I said, pointing to a small, fast looking car without a second thought. I was in shock that he was letting me leave, but I also didn't want to ruin any opportunity I had to leave.

Ajax just smiled with approval as he tossed me the keys.

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