Page 48 of Enthrall Climax

He squeezed his eyes shut.

“Take a breath,” I told him. “I’ve got this.”

Shay’s chin rose as if to kiss me, and I pulled back a little as though I hadn’t noticed his need to be soothed.

“You can’t storm in here and end my session,” snapped Kristoff. “Who the fuck are you?”

Turning to look at him, I answered, “Ever had one of those nightmares you just can’t wake up from?”

He threw down the whip. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”

“Cole,” Shay whispered.

It was the way he spoke my name that sent a chill down my spine. In that moment I knew he wanted to stay. With a shake of my head, I conveyed this wasn’t an option.

The muscles of Shay’s jaw tensed. “You’re trespassing into my private session.”

My fingers worked the straps of his left wrist, releasing it while ignoring his glare. I moved swiftly over to the other strap, and then knelt to undo the leather binds at his ankles. I stayed ready to fight off Kristoff if he tried to stop me.

Shay had a penchant for finding danger. He dabbled in reckless, having been the first soldier in to rescue my brother in Afghanistan. Still, something else was going on here. He was a great judge of character, and he should have grasped who Kristoff was upon meeting him.

When Shay was free, he immediately grabbed my shoulders, spun me around and shoved me hard against the metal cross. “You don’t dictate what I do.”

Pain wracked my spine. “Gardner?”

He blinked at me, looked horrified and confused. “You don’t get it, do you?”

This wasn’t him.

“We’re leaving.” I delivered the command with such authority he’d have no choice but to obey.

He stormed over to a chair, grabbed his shirt and began to dress. For the first time since I’d known him, I questioned where our friendship could go from here.

“Before you book a session with me,” Kristoff snapped at Shay, “Talk to your boyfriend first.”

I ignored that retort and headed for the door, sensing Shay was right behind me. He was hopping along as he slid on his overly polished shoes.

By the time we stepped into the elevator I was seething. The doors closed and the floor jolted as we began to descend.

“If you ever touch me like that again…” I let my glare say the rest.

“I’m sorry, okay?”

“What is going on with you?” I clenched my fists in frustration.

Shay covered his face with his hands, and when they slipped down I saw his barely controlled anger. “You’re the one who’s stalking me.”

“I thought we’d ascertained this place is shady?”

“Cole, you’re just jealous that the rest of us get to keep this in our lives while you’ve closed the doors on it.”

“That’s not it.” Though my analytical brain was considering the truth of his accusation.

“You want to know why everyone is on a razor’s edge when you’re around? It’s because we all have to play life by your rules.”

“Something is going on. I’m worried about you.”

“We’ve been over this.”