Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
He’s right. I did leave him. I shrug, accepting his censure. “I had to. I had to save them.”
“I—” He cuts himself off, looking away. The muscles in his jaw jump as he chews on what he wants to say.
I move in front of him. For such a big man, he can be fragile. I need to remember that just because someone looks big and bad doesn’t mean they don’t have feelings or can’t have their feelings hurt.
And Rex is hurting. He might not know how to say it, but I can tell.
“Talk to me,” I prompt softly and get another glare from under his thick brows. Then the mask slips, and he looks down at the ground.
“You didn’t even tell me.”
“I knew you’d be tracking me.”
His wet hair makes him look like a schoolboy. I want to stroke it back from his face.
So I do.
“I knew you’d be watching. Somehow, someway. That you would find me.”
“When you jumped off the roof ledge, my heart stopped.”
“I knew you wouldn’t let me fall.”
His breath gusts my hair, and he finally relaxes and leans into my palm.
“Inara.” His tone is broken, pleading. I feel each heave of his chest like it’s an earthquake. “You can’t. . . I can’t.” He closes his eyes as if he’s angry and can’t articulate what he’s feeling. Or maybe he’s angry at the feelings themselves.
I understand that completely. I’ve spent a lifetime shackling my feelings, only allowing myself a release with pain. But now I have someone to share things with, and that alone is so freeing.
I want Rex to find that same freedom, so I let him struggle with his feelings. But I keep holding him. I’m here.
When he looks at me again, he’s accusing and pleading, all at the same time. “You alone hold the power to destroy me.”
I can’t say anything, so I push my tiptoes and press my lips to his. Just a quick kiss. I’m still here. I’m with you.
I love you.
He shudders under my palms and hesitates, then wraps his arms around me and pulls me to his chest. This time he grasps my chin and guides our kiss. It’s deeper but sweeter somehow.
“You can’t just leave me.” His voice is muffled because his face is buried in my hair.
“I’m not,” I whisper back. “I’m here with you. I’m not leaving, Rex. I’m here.”
“Gods,” he chokes out, and I relive that moment when I stood on the ledge of the roof, my fear overcome by the need to save him.
“I’m here, Rex.” I tease his hair with the tips of my fingers, grounding myself with touch.
“I almost lost you. Again.”
“You can punish me. If you want.”
His laugh is broken, but his fingers dig into my hair. “You’ll like it too much.” His grip tightens, and the stinging on my scalp feels like home.
“Is that so wrong?”
“It’s not punishment if you like it.” He growls deep in his throat and draws my head back to kiss my neck. His lips hover over my pulse as if he’s reassuring himself I’m alive. “I want you in my dungeon. I want to tie you down so you can’t breathe without feeling my bondage. I want to mark you with the tawse, the whip, the cane. Stripe you until you sing for me.” He hesitates, as if reluctant to admit the rest. I press myself against him, and his control snaps. He makes my back bow with my hair. “I want to cage you so you can never fly away.”
“Yes,” I gasp as the bite of pain sends me higher. “I want that too.”
“Fuck,” he snarls and pulls me back up, controlling my movements, holding me still for his kiss. His lips drag down from my mouth as he scrapes his teeth against my neck. I push my hips against him. I could orgasm like this.
We’re both breathing hard when he lifts his head. I meet his gaze, and there’s no more anger in his eyes. Nothing but desire.
“Please,” I mouth, awash in happy neurochemicals. I’m sinking fast into subspace. His control makes me weak. The strength leaves my legs until only his grip is keeping me upright.
“Please, what?” His voice cracks like a whip.
“Please, sir.” I arch in his hold, letting myself go soft with surrender. My eyelashes flutter. “Take me to the dungeon.”
Rex
* * *
She wanted the darkness? She’s going to get it.
But now, riding a vibrating saddle that tortures her clit, she might be having second thoughts.
Too late. Her arms are bound behind her in a reverse prayer position. She’s flexible, but after a few minutes, the strain will have set in, and her shoulders will be screaming for release.
I’ve gagged her with a rope winding around her beautiful face, and she groans into the knots at her mouth. I like it when she begs me, but I’ll enjoy that later. For now, I’m riding high on the desperation in her eyes.