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Boneless.

That’s what I am. Completely, utterly boneless.

I swear sex with Rhys only gets better with time. I feel as though my soul connects with his. He reads my body better than any other man before him.

I lift my head from his shoulder when he comes to a stop in the ensuite. Setting me on the countertop, he grips my face in his hands and kisses me lovingly.

“Don’t move.” He meets my eyes and stares until I nod.

He turns the level, filling the bathtub. After testing the water, he undresses then strides toward me. I flush the moment he scoops be back into his arms and climbs into the warm water.

My back settles against his chest. His fingers brush my shoulder as he moves my hair to the side. I shiver when I feel his lips press against my flesh.

He chuckles lightly at the movement.

“Cold?”

I shake my head, unable to speak.

The contrast between gentle, playful Rhys and animalistic, sex-crazed Rhys makes my head spin. He has so many layers to him, and I seem to fall more and more for every single one.

Tommy’s advice about being careful of who I give my heart to suddenly appears in my mind. I am giving him pieces of my heart, aren’t I?

Falling in love with him wouldn’t be so bad. Right?

It’s clear as day that he feels more than lust for me. Could I show him that I feel it too?

Rhys cleaning my skin with a soap covered loofah breaks my thoughts. I decide to embrace the intimacy between us – just this once – and lean into his touch.

* * *

It’s been several days since I’ve been to work.

I let Bones know some things in my life were going to shit and needed time to straighten it out. Now that Paige and I are settled into a new norm, I think it might be time to head back.

Bones and Karley didn’t reply to me when I let them know I’d be in tonight. Hopefully they don’t tell me they don’t need me. I’ve been dipping into my savings and it’s starting to show.

Rhys headed out this morning when he got a call from Declan and he’s not back yet. I’d hoped to see him before I left but I don’t have time to wait around anymore.

My phone chimes, notifying me about my Uber. Once I’ve made sure I have what I need, I shoulder my bag and head out.

The ride is long thanks to the evening traffic. Classic New York. Once I get close enough to a subway station, I’ll just take that the rest of the way.

“Ugh,” I groan and drop my head back against the seat.

The driver glances at me through the rearview. “Sorry, ma’am.”

“You don’t need to apologize. Not your fault.”

Finally, traffic begins to crawl its way forward and we’re eventually making some headway. I change my mind about getting on a subway and enjoy the ride for what it is. When we pull up to the bar, my heart stalls. In big bold letters, the words Permanently Closed are on display on the entrance.

“Ma’am?” My head swings to the driver.

Shit . I forgot he was there.

Scrambling, I pay him and exit the car. My heart thumps against my chest with each step. Despite it being useless, I reach for the handle and tug. The thunk of the lock sends a pang of hurt and betrayal through me. Hurt because the bar I’ve worked at for years has shut down. And betrayal because not one person felt I was important enough let know the bar was closing down.

It’s a slap in the face reminder of why I don’t get close to anyone.

Silly me for thinking I meant something to the people I’ve known for the past 3 years.

Well, fuck them.

I didn’t need them anyway.

Angry tears pool, blurring my vision. Why do those I seem to care for end up leaving?

My brothers left me.

I’m losing Paige to Declan.

And now the people in this bar are gone.

You still have Rhys.

I scoff at the thought. He’ll tire of me soon enough and I’ll once again be alone.

“Whatever,” I mutter angrily. Pivoting, I head down the sidewalk, no specific destination in mind. I just need to get the fuck away from here.

* * *

Hours pass but I’m still submersed in negative emotions. The sky darkens and the lights illuminate the city. Paige texted me earlier to check in, but I ignored it. It wouldn’t sit right with me if I ruined her day simply because mine went to shit.

A hair-raising sensation slithers up my spine and I halt in my tracks. Everything inside is warning me of an unseen danger. I take in my surroundings, being sure to make eye contact with each person who passes.

I know how it feels being watched by someone lurking around dark corners. That very same awareness speaks to me now.

I hustle to the nearest subway station when I can’t find the source of my unease. My brothers made sure I understood the importance of listening when my intuition is telling me something.

Whatever – whoever – is out there is a threat. But right now, I’m in no shape to meet them head-on.

Walking through the front entrance, I nod toward the doorman of Rhys’ building. He offers me a warm smile.

“Evening, Miss Sarah.”

I return his smile, only mine is tense and likely resembles a pained grimace.

After scanning the access card Rhys gave me, the elevator begins to rise toward the penthouse. My knee bounces absentmindedly as I lean with my back pressed against the wall.

Mark doesn’t know who I am, so I don’t think he’d have eyes on me. It wouldn’t make sense.

Wait. Didn’t Paige say she spoke with Mark the night we met Declan and Rhys? It’s likely he saw me with her then.

But what reason would he have to have eyes on me?

Deep in thought, I startle when the elevator pings and the doors open. The penthouse is dark and soundless.

I guess Rhys isn’t back yet.

I leave my shoes at the entryway and toss my bag onto the couch, then head down the hallway.

Needing to wash away the emotions of the day, I flick the light on in the ensuite and start the shower. Steam causes condensation to form on the surface of the vanity mirror. I stare at my reflection, taking in every detail.

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to mask how I’m feeling. It’s only when I’m alone that I let that veil drop, revealing just how broken I am on the inside.

The blue hues in my eyes fade to a muted gray. Despite the sleep I’m able to get lying next to Rhys every night, the purple bruising around my eyes and the paleness of my skin exposes just how restless that sleep actually is.

Shedding my clothes, I step into the shower. My skin turns red from the heat of the water. My chest tightens. Anger and betrayal are quickly replaced by loneliness, and I curl up into a ball on the tiled floor.

* * *

I lie there long after the water has turned cold, and my skin has shriveled like a prune. I don’t bother rising when I hear the shower door open.

“Sarah?”

I hum, staring at nothing in particular.

Rhys lifts me into his arms, completely disregarding the fact that the shower is still on. His white dress shirt sticks to his body as the water saturates his frame from head to toe.

Wordlessly, he shuts off the water and steps out of the shower with me wrapped in his embrace.

I can’t find it in me to care that he’s seeing me in a vulnerable state. My heart flutters as Rhys dries my skin and dresses me in one of his black Henleys. After drying my hair, he grips my chin with his thumb and forefinger.

Fire burns in his eyes, changing the color from emerald to almost obsidian. “Tell me,” he demands. My brows pinch.

“Tell me who hurt you.” The promise of violence radiates off him in untamed waves.

Embarrassment decides now would be the perfect time to take hold.

“It’s nothing. I’m fine,” I mutter, pulling my face away from his touch.

He curses under his breath and strips his wet clothes from his body. They plop onto the floor. He steps away for a moment before returning, wearing only a pair of black boxer briefs.

“Eventually you’re going to have to open up to me.”

My gaze snaps to his. He towers over me with his arms crossed over his broad chest. “I don’t have to do shit,” I hiss.

“Why do you insist on fighting what this is?” his voice raises.

Self-preservation kicks in.

I scoff and shake my head with a roll of my eyes. “I’m not fighting anything. I told you once and I’ll tell you again, this is only sex.”

Liar.

I refuse to allow myself to become attached to anyone else. Paige is the only one I need. Even if she’s going to build a life with Declan. As long as I can still be a part of it, I’ll be okay.

He grips my face roughly in his hand, squeezing my cheeks. The blood in my veins begins to boil and I feel the heat in my core.

“You can try and convince yourself that you don’t feel what I do, but I can see it.” His growl is low, and I feel the rumble down to my toes. “I see the way your ocean eyes darken with lust.”

He tips my head to the side, caressing my neck with his nose. “I see how your heartbeat accelerates right-.” He presses a kiss along the veins in my neck. “Here.”

This man needs to write a book on foreplay because dear god, he’s good.

I feel the slight lift of his lips before he meets my eyes. “Even in your sleep, your body – your heart – reaches for mine.”

It’s true.

No matter how hard I try, I always wake in his arms. Completely surrounded by a happiness I lost a long time ago.

Tears begin to blur my vision, and I can’t fight the whimper that rises. His eyes soften, his hold on my face loosening. “Let me in,” he whispers, stroking my cheek with his thumb, wiping away the droplet that slides down my skin.

Rather than answering, I wrap my arms around his neck, tugging him toward me. Our lips crash together in a punishing kiss.

Tommy said to be careful who I give my heart to, but the reality is, even if I was careful, my heart chose Rhys. Trying to stop it would be like trying to stop a hurricane from coming – impossible.

Together, we fall onto the bed. My legs spread and wrap around his waist. He rolls his hips, pressing his erection into me. I whimper into his lips, which tilt upward.

His fingers leisurely coasts up the inside of my legs, nearing where I need his touch the most. Just as he reaches my apex, he stops. I’m writhing, lifting to feel even the smallest brush of him against me.

His chuckle skates over me. I gasp, hips bucking, when he circles my clit with his fingers. In my blank state, I failed to notice my lack of underwear. The heat of his skin warms my pussy, making every nerve hyperaware of each movement he makes.

His strokes speed up and he applies more pressure. My nails pierce his muscular back, eliciting a hiss that is coated in hunger.

“I love when you mark me.”

“I love marking you.”

My shirt is shoved upward, exposing my breasts. I cry out when he bites on my nipple, sending a sharp jolt through me.

The shirt is ripped off me then my hands are held together at the wrists and pressed above my head. “Don’t move.”

I nod vehemently.

He releases me and rises from the bed. I lie unmoving, listening to him search for something out of my sight.

“Close your eyes.”

I slam my eyelids shut so fast I shock myself. The bed dips with his weight. What feels like a silk tie is placed on my eyes. Rhys gently lifts my head and ties a small knot, creating a blindfold.

My other senses take control. My skin is set on fire. My nose is invaded by the undeniable scent of Rhys. My ears take in every shift of fabric from the blankets and sheets. “Tell me if it’s too tight.”

My confusion is cleared up almost immediately, when he binds my wrists with what resembles the rough texture of rope. Two tight tugs pull my arms flush with the mattress.

He’s tied me to the headboard.

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

I’ve never been so turned on in my entire adult life.

My head snaps to the side at the sound of ice clinking against a glass. The bed dips again then nothing.

The rise and fall of my chest pick up speed as I lie here in wait. Fully exposed and aroused beyond any comprehension of the word.

A sudden cold meets my core and I yelp. Then I’m crying out when I feel the warmth of Rhys’ tongue.

Fire.

Ice.

Fire.

Ice.

I might as well be in damn space from how high I am on Rhys’ toying.

I have an out of body experience and come so hard I see stars. My legs are an uncontrollable, shaking mess. The blindfold is lifted, and I blink until my vision clears. Rhys kneels between my legs, licking my release from his lips with a satisfied groan.

He doesn’t give me time to come down from my high before I’m being untied from the bed and flipped onto my stomach.

He unbinds my wrists only to pull my arms behind my back and securing them once more at the wrist.

The skin below the rope is deliciously raw and I welcome to pain.

Holding me down, he slowly sinks into my entrance, stretching me. “Oh fuuuuck,” he moans. And I swear nothing is sexier than hearing this man be vocal at how much he enjoys being inside me.

“Please move, shift. Do something!” I press my ass back until I meet his pubic bone. Every ridge of his length rubs against my walls as he draws out to his tip.

“I’m going to kill you if you don’t fu-.” He pistons into me with so much force, if he wasn’t holding me down, I’d probably fly off the bed.

“You were saying?” he teases, drawing back and punching forward. My shoulders protest when he pulls on the rope until I’m kneeling with my back against his front.

“You’re mine.”

“Yours.”

Each punishing thrust of his hips has me climbing toward ecstasy. “Come for me, baby.”

And I detonate like a damn nuclear bomb.