Page 72 of The Player

“But will you help me? Heal, that is?” I opened my eyes to find him staring so intently at me, it made my heart flutter in my chest.

“Always. You know I’ll do anything for you.”

Standing here, I couldn’t believe how things had turned out. That this amazing man was with me, saying the kind of things I never thought I’d hear. His face was glowing with affection, his hands on me; warm and comforting, making me feel safe despite everything. I wouldn’t have been able to do this with anyone else. Only him. Because I trusted him wholeheartedly.

I’d been so nervous to ask this of him, but he hadn’t made me feel crazy. Sure, he questioned why I wanted to do it. He had my best interests at heart. But he didn’t make me feel like a freak.

“Thank you,” I said, feeling unworthy of him.

“No need to thank me, Bee. Whatever you need, I’m here for it.”

He gave me one last brush of his thumbs over my cheeks, and then his hands dropped, and he turned to look at the collection on the bed. Picking up the mask, he went to put it on, but I grabbed his hand to stop him.

“Not here,” I begged, and he cocked his brow. “I mean, don’t put it on in front of me. I need you to walk in wearing it.”

He frowned, worry etched on his face.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want there to be some element of surprise.” I felt my cheeks flush. “Controlled surprise,” I added, and he smirked.

“Whatever you say, princess.”

He took one last look at the mask in his hands, then his gaze met mine, his eyes narrowed like he was trying to read something in my expression. Seconds ticked by and then he gave a slight nod. “I’ll be right back then,” he said, and turned to leave.

He closed the door gently, and I stood there flexing my fists, not knowing what to do with myself. I decided to take my dress off, pulling it over my head to leave me standing in my black underwear. I rubbed my hand over my stomach, nerves fluttering in my belly. Then I scanned the room, gathering the stuff piled up on the bed and placing it on the side table. A nervous wave rippled through me, my stomach performing somersaults as I smoothed down the duvet, trying to distract myself.

What was I thinking?

I shouldn’t have asked him to do this.

I was expecting too much of him.

Random questions and niggling doubts flooded my brain, but when I heard the click of the bedroom door opening, I shut them down, took a deep breath, and prepared to face my nightmare.

ChapterThirty-Three

BRYONY

Turning around, my heart stuttered in my chest. Instantly, my lungs became heavy, and I found it hard to breathe. All I could do was gasp, gulping down air like I’d just emerged from water and needed that first sweet breath to bring me back to life. My chest panted and noise buzzed in my ears, ringing like an alarm to warn me and wake me up at the same time.

I stared at him.

I couldn’t take my eyes off him.

My hands shook, and my body felt like it was spiralling, freefalling into panic and something else, something I didn’t expect.

Lust.

I felt like I was having an out of body experience, but I wanted to be present, to step into this with both feet firmly on the ground and do what I’d set out to do when I’d had this idea. I didn’t feel like my body was my own as I tried to move but stayed rooted to the spot. A mixture of danger and desire thrummed through me.

He was fucking stunning.

A vision of horror but so, so fucking sexy.

“Are you okay?” he asked as he stood by the door, his voice muffled by the mask.

“Yes.”