Page 60 of Bared Betrayal

“Oh, God, Gabriel,” she cries out, and I know my name on her lips is something I want to hear every motherfucking day. Her back arches as she comes hard on my cock while I cream her cunt, giving her every last drop of my cum.

That’s the moment everything changes. The moment my world explodes, and my life is turned on its axis.

That’s the moment I realize this woman can never be my son’s wife.

Because she’s mine.

Seventeen

KALLIE

I’m still floatingon the remnants of pleasure when Gabriel takes us out of the bath and lays me on the bed. He takes his time to rub some lotion on my back, and it feels amazing. He says the cream will make it fade faster. How do I tell him I don’t want his marks to fade? I want to be able to push against them and feel a fresh wave of pain every time the voices come back. I want my marks, welts, and bruises to stay fresh and remind me I’m still alive.

Without a word, he dresses me in the clothing I wore to come here, and we leave Club Myth, climbing back into his ridiculously expensive car.

“I…uh…” I press my lips together, trying to pick my words.

“What is it?”

“Can I…stay with you tonight? You know, in your place and not a separate suite?”

I notice him tightening his grip on the steering wheel.

“I just…I don’t want to be alone.” It’s not that I don’t want to be alone, it’s that I’m not ready to be apart from Gabriel yet. The second we leave each other’s company, this strange place we are in right now will disappear. He makes my heart stop and my senses sharpen by just being in the room. He makes me feel alive in a way I didn’t know I was capable of.

“Okay,” he says and reaches for my hand, weaving his fingers through mine as if he knows I need reassurance.

Leaning my head against the window, I let my mind wander. I think about my paintings and wonder if I could recreate the sweet agony I felt on the cross and put that on the canvas—emotions swirled with the physical pain. Torture and bliss rolled into a single brush stroke. I want to color the tension and anticipation mixed with relief and gratitude. I’ve never felt anything like it, and I know that without Gabriel I never will again.

“This is your building?” I ask when we pull up to a large hotel in Streeterville, practically on top of the lake.

“Yeah.”

“Whoa, talk about a great location. You must go to the art museum all the time. It’s one of my happy places.”

“That was supposed to be one of the benefits of living so close, but I’m always working.” He shrugs as he pulls into a parking spot and turns off his car.

The elevator is already waiting for us when we get to it, and he hits the button for the top floor. I don’t even really feel the elevator move, but seconds later, the door is opening to an entranceway. He punches in a code, and the door opens to the most stunning living room I have ever seen.

“Holy shit!” I exclaim.

“What’s wrong?” he says behind me. “Is it your back? Are you sore? I can get you—”

“Shhh.” I wave him off as I walk to the massive floor-to-ceiling windows and look at the whole of Chicago at my feet. It’s getting dark, and I can see the lights start turning on in the buildings below to the left, and to the right, the inky darkness that is Lake Michigan. “This view is amazing.”

“Oh, yeah. It’s something.”

“It’s something.” I mimic him like it isn’t the most incredible view of the city. “Navy Pier is right there. Do you get to watch the fireworks?”

“I’m usually not home, but yes, you can see them from here.”

“This apartment is amazing,” I say, not looking away from the window.

“Sure. Would you like some dinner? I am starving.”

“Yeah,” I call over my shoulder, still looking at the world below me.

“We are close enough that Giordano’s delivers,” he says. “I’m going to change, then we can order.” He walks down the hall, and I look around at the wooden floor, the leather couches, and electric fireplace. Every priceless piece of art, all the expensive furniture, and top of the range electronics paints a clear picture. Gabriel King wants for nothing.