Page 86 of Danger Close

“She’s not your daughter,” she said in a venomous whisper.

Ouch.

“And yet she has my eyes.” I taunted back, coming to my feet, and extending my hand to her. “You ready to go, plus one?”

Chapter 38

Kiss Me, Bind Me

Teri

Plus one. I’d been humbled. He’d learned so quickly how to control me. Just use my daughter, and I would comply.

I fought tears, as he kissed me again.

That was the cruelest part of all.

I fought tears when the kiss ended. Swallowing hard to keep down the lump in my throat.

I felt his sigh against my skin. His breath tickled the hair that fell from my twist, and framed my face. He embraced me, and I wanted to shatter. I couldn’t push him away. I craved that comfort. It felt like cool spring water after walking in the desert. What did I care that it came from a poisoned chalice?

“You’re beautiful.” His hand traced an infinity symbol on the back of my neck. “I haven’t told you that today, have I, Princess?”

I didn’t say anything. I simply shook my head.

His posture changed. His shoulders slumped. He kissed my forehead, and released me.

With shame, I missed his warmth. I wanted to pull into him again, and it hurt. It hurt to know that I was so weak that the very man who had called me aplus onewas the same person I turned to for warmth.

“Look at me, Princess.” I didn’t want to. I looked at the ground, at my hands, at the beautiful, pure white tulle that was draped artistically from the pillars, adding a flare of beauty to the rustic surroundings.

“Teresa Louise Guerro.” I flinched at my full legal name, waiting for a reprimand. “Look at me.”

I shook my head, turning to walk away, knowing that I couldn’t if he didn’tletme.

He reached out and gently grabbed my elbow, halting my steps. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, putting a kiss on the crook of my neck, and I leaned into him. I melted into him. I craved him. I tried not to hold his hands, but I did. I rested my forearms on his, holding his hands to tighten his hold on me because it kept me upright.

Guilt at my pleasure in his embrace washed over me. A tear fell.

“I’m sorry.” I winced at his apology, the lump in my throat growing so much that it threatened to choke me.

Wasn’t this how it always went? A small hurt, then an apology. Love. Kindness?

A strike, then a soothing embrace.

That was what kept me with Ray for so long. The remorse in his eyes after he did the most horrendous things to my body. After he used me so hideously, and scooped out my soul for his own amusement, he’d come back with flowers, jewelry.

“I promise I’m going to fix this.” His hands rubbed up and down the skin of my forearm, spreading warmth through my body. “I’m going to fix us. Have faith in me. Trust me this time around.”

He ran his lips from my throat, up my jaw to my cheek. The gentle graze of his breath on my skin sent electricity through me, traveling all the way to my core. My pussy clenched. My thighs pressed together, and I fought a whimper.

He spun me around. His finger went to my chin, and he lifted my face so my eyes could meet him.

“Give me time, Teresa.” He gave me a chaste kiss to punctuate his words. “Give me time and I will make everything better.”

Chapter 39

The Pleasure Is All Yours