Page 18 of Redemption

Suddenly, I’m eager to know what other new feelings this puzzle of a woman might elicit from me. I’m currently experiencing a spectrum of discomfiting emotions. But there’s the other side of the coin, too.

What would it be like to experience more than cruel, fleeting pleasure?

What ecstatic high will I achieve when she murmurs my name like a prayer and begs me for an orgasm only I can give her?

“I’m new to the area,” I say instead of leaving her side. “I’m sure I’ll see you again.”

Her nervous laugh fills the space between us. “We do have good coffee here,” she allows. “And we always love getting new regulars.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then.” It’s a promise, and it comes out in a rougher, more intense tone than I intended.

A light shiver races over her fragile frame.

Arousal at the hint of danger? Or fear at my masculine attention?

Maybe both.

The impulse to grasp that alluring purple curl and tug her toward me makes my fingers furl at my side.

I force myself to relax. That would be far too frightening, and I’d probably end up in the back of a cop car.

I’m clinging to my control by my fingernails. It’s horrifying and fascinating in equal measure.

I have to leave before I say something else that I’ll regret. Abigail will be here whenever I want to see her. I’ll find a way to lure her into my bed.

“Have a great day!” she says in that falsely bright tone.

It’s so practiced that I almost believe it.

I summon up my own familiar mask and offer her one final charming smile before I stroll out of the café. I barely suppress a grimace at the bitterness of the espresso on my tongue. Usually, I take my coffee with a splash of milk and one sugar, but Abigail thinks I like it black now. I can endure the bitterness to avoid further awkwardness.

I’ll come back for her.

I recall her submissive responses to my firm commands last night. She must be pliable enough for me to seduce her without too much difficulty.

Then I can explore and master these strange newfeelings.

I’ll fuck her out of my system, and then everything will go back to normal.

5

ABIGAIL

Now

Dane’s sensual lips twist in a frown, and a furrow creases his brow. He keeps my wrists shackled in one hand, and his weight still pins me.

I drag in a shuddering breath when he releases my breasts to brush away the wetness that sears my cheeks. He lifts his fingers to inspect them, and his frown deepens. His crimson blood is diluted by my tears, and the two mingle into a glistening red stream that rolls down his palm.

He looks…puzzled. Like he can’t fathom why I’m so distressed.

Or maybe he can’t believe that I actually fought back and made him bleed.

I lift my chin and glare up at him with open defiance.

“If you violate me, I will hate you,” I hiss. “My body will respond, but I will hate you.”

His eyes glitter when they fix on mine again. He’s peering at me like I’m some alien creature he doesn’t understand.