Page 79

(Ainsley)

Icould still feelthe remnants of the nightmare rushing through me. It left my stomach aching and a sheen of sweat on my skin. I vaguely remembered Cyrus pulling me into his arms some time during the night. I must have fallen asleep like that because when I woke once again, we were in the same position.

Sitting up, I scrubbed a hand down my face.

“Good morning, pet,” he said, his voice deep and gravely.

Morning. Did you not sleep at all?

He gave me a small smile. “Not really. Did I wake you?”

I shook my head, my stomach sinking a little that he hadn’t slept much and took care of me instead. I had never been one to be doted on. I found that the only person I could truly trust was myself, but a part of me was learning to trust Cyrus too. I just wished this trust would happen faster, so I could finally give him my voice.

“What is it?” he asked, running a hand down my bare arm.

I looked down, realizing then that we were both still naked. His cock, although soft, twitched under my scrutiny. It rested against my inner thigh. A shiver raced down my spine, suddenly needing him back inside of me.

“Ainsley.”

My eyes snapped up, locking with Cyrus’s intense stare.

“If you want it, you know what to do but I wasn’t overly gentle last night, so I’m sure you’re sore.”

I shrugged, not really caring in the least if I was sore or not.

“Are you?” Cyrus sat forward, his mouth mere inches from mine.

I swallowed hard, still not used to the fact that I had this beautiful man beneath me.

“Tell me,” he whispered, his lips brushing along the line of my jaw.

I shook my head again.

“No.” He cupped my shoulders, sliding his hands slowly down my arms. “Tellme.”

My heart jumped. He had never asked me to speak. Not until now. Not until we became closer. Not until our feelings for each other grew.

I swallowed hard but the words wouldn’t leave my mouth.

“Tell me if in fact you are sore or not, pet.” His voice was low, hitting somewhere deep inside of me. Somewhere that had remained hidden for years.

My mouth fell open but still, the words wouldn’t escape past my lips.