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“No!”Her cry was hoarse and agony-filled.
He stopped immediately, shock colliding with the lust on his face.“Jesus, Bethany, what’s wrong?”
“You overwhelm me, Zach.I can’t think straight when you do this.I don’t want to hate you for it, but I don’t like this… this out of control feeling when you brush my feelings aside and carry on regardless.”
His jaw clenched tight, and he frowned.“I’d never force you to do anything you didn’t want to.You know that, don’t you?”
She laughed, the sound scraping her throat raw.“We both know it’s not that simple.”
Sizzling eyes pinned her in place, searching, assessing.“Tell me how I can make this work.Would it help if you were in charge?”he rasped.
Her breath jerked out.She noted the distinct lack of his agreement with her.“In charge?”
He nodded.“Wait here.”
Striding to the farthest door in his bedroom, he entered the room he’d just spoken about.Dark, tormenting curiosity warred with the need to stay sane in this furiously escalating sensual ride that she’d once again found herself on.
There were so many things wrong with her presence here in Zach’s bedroom.But for the life of her, Bethany couldn’t move, couldn’t lift a single finger to halt what she knew was coming.
A part of her wept with just how overpowering Zach’s will was over her.He smothered her protests with just a look.When he touched her, her brain ceased to function.She both loved and hated the unique way he could command her emotions.
She was silently shaking her head in despair when he returned.He walked slowly to where she stood, his throat moving in a swallow.As impossible and unconscionable as it seemed, Bethany was shocked to realize he was nervous.
She guessed why when she saw what he held in his hands.
“I know my silence hurts and frustrates you.And you’re well within your rights to punish me.Tonight, you’re in charge.You can do whatever you want.As long as it involves my cock, your tight cunt and hot, wet, vigorous fucking.Do it to us, baby.No matter how angry you are with me, you can’t deny we both need it.”
Her eyes widened as he held out the large silver handcuffs to her.
“Zach—”
He pushed them at her, his breath shuddering out of his chest.“Take them, Bethany.God, please use them.I’ve been without you for far too long.”He raked back his hair, his eyes dark with tortured heat.“I won’t survive another day.If this way makes you feel a little bit in control, then I’m okay with it.”
She took the handcuffs, slowly turned the key in the tiny lock and watched the cuffs spring open.They were made of solid steel, well able to withstand Zach’s imposing strength.Dark excitement fizzed in her bloodstream.“Aren’t you afraid I’ll abuse my power?”she enquired huskily.
His dark laughter sent fresh tingles dancing down her spine.“Fuck, I’m hoping you will.”
“God, even in this, why do I get the feeling you’re getting exactly what you want?”
Abruptly, he knelt at her feet and slid one shoe off.“I like to think we’re both getting what we want.”
He stared up at her, gently caressing her instep before setting her foot down and doing the same with her other foot.Memories of their first meeting sliced across her unguarded senses, making her breath catch roughly.
His bold hands crept up her ankle to her calves.He squeezed them, using the action to draw her closer until his mouth was one hot inch from her pelvis.
Slowly, he shut his eyes and laid his cheek against her belly.Warmth from his skin seeped into her, rose to cradle her heart.
“I’m on my knees, Bethany.I’ll beg if you want me to.”
A powerful shudder rocked her.Had he not been holding her, she was certain it would’ve propelled her from her feet.
She stared down at his dark head resting against her and trembled from the feelings cascading through her.
In Marrakech, she’d told this man she loved him.Although those feelings were buried beneath the pain, which still lived like a hard stone in her chest, they were there nonetheless, eating at her, demanding she acknowledge them one way or the other.She hated that she was afraid to look too deep into her heart right now.The probability that she would accept anything Zach chose to offer loomed far too large in her mind.
But this… what was happening between them right now, she understood.
She had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but the sex between them had always been honest and true.It was the one thing that held no ambivalence whatsoever.Ironically, it was the one thing she could count on when it came to Zach.