Page 69 of Slave

I saw her swallow, but she didn’t answer.

“Answer me!”

“Yes!” she cried as the first tears erupted down her cheeks.

I pulled her into my arms. She held herself stiff, every muscle ready to react.

“Shh. Calm down, love. It’s just me. You are safe,” I said kissing her just above her ear.

It took several minutes before I felt the tension begin to leave her body. And when it did, the tears came in endless waves. I held her to my body for a long time before picking her up and carrying her into her bedroom.

I laid her down and tried to pull back, but she held tighter. I wasn’t sure what to do, but before I could make a decision her arms fell away.

After standing, I looked down at her lying there. Her eyes were looking down, not meeting mine.

Brianna had a fear of men in general, but especially predatory men, aggressive men. The man in the store had obviously found her attractive and had been expressing that want through his eyes. Sadly he didn’t know that his look of hungry appreciation would have the opposite effect with Brianna. It didn’t turn her on or make her feel wanted.

I knew Ian could have that predatory look. I’d see a little of it in his office. But how many other men had Brianna seen that look from?

She’d been so sure that I’d share her with Logan, so I had no doubt in my mind that she’d been shared in the past. The question was, how many men had she been shared with, and just what had they done to her to make her so fearful of being desired?

With that thought, I felt anger grow inside again. All those unknown men touching her against her wishes. I shook it off. Letting what happened in her past get to me would not help her.

Several minutes had passed, but she still wasn’t looking at me. I didn’t address her right away though. Instead I walked over to her dresser. I grabbed a pair of shorts and a tank top for her before walking back over to her bed.

I debated whether or not I should proceed. It wasn’t like I hadn’t seen her naked before, but I still hadn’t forgotten how the last time had ended.

But then again, maybe that was exactly why I should continue. She needed to know that I wouldn’t do anything she didn’t wish me to, even when I could look at her as I had in the other room.

Laying the clothes down on her nightstand, I extended my hand to her. “Sit up.”

She took a deep breath and then pushed herself into a sitting position while taking my hand. Her gaze fell to her lap as I twisted her around so that her feet were on the floor.

I released her hand and reached for the hem of her shirt. “Raise your arms above your head.”

Her entire body tensed again, but she did as instructed. I pulled her T-shirt up over her torso and over her head. She still wasn’t looking at me.

I reached behind her, unclasped her bra, and tossed it over to join her shirt at the end of the bed. My movements were unhurried as I took the tank top and placed it over her head. She didn’t fight me when I placed her arms through the straps and slid the garment into place.

Then I knelt before her and removed her shoes and socks. My hands gently slid up her ankles and wrapped around them as I looked up at her. She was watching me but she looked away again almost as soon as our eyes met.

I didn’t comment, but instead rose again, my hand outstretched. “Stand up,” I said softly.

Her body was close to mine as she stood. There was so little separating us, and I didn’t stop the impulse I had to kiss her. I took her face in my hands and brushed my lips against hers.

It was such a light touch, but I needed the contact. I hated to see her so scared even though I knew this process would uncover all her fears.

Her eyes fluttered open and met mine as I leaned back. “You never have to be afraid of me, Brianna.” She clamped her lips together, and I ran my thumb over them until I felt them relax and soften.

I released her face, brought my hands down to her waist, unbuttoned her jeans, and pushed the zipper down before sliding them down her legs. When they reached her ankles, she held onto my arms as she stepped out of them.

The bruises on the inside of her thighs had completely faded now, but the burn marks would always be a permanent reminder of what she’d gone through, what she’d survived. I longed to kiss each and every inch of her skin, but I held myself in check this time. Instead I took her shorts and bent down to help her put them on.

Once she was fully dressed for bed I asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom. She nodded, and I stepped back, letting her know I wanted her to go ahead. I watched as she slowly walked across the room and disappeared into the attached bathroom.

While she was gone I waited patiently on her bed. Looking around the room I noticed that even though she had been living here for three weeks, the only evidence of her habitation, besides the slept-in bed, were the two books on her nightstand. Everything else was exactly as it had been before she’d arrived. It was like she would only occupy the space temporarily, a room, a place to sleep, not a home.

Brianna didn’t take long in the bathroom, but when she returned she looked uncertain again. I stood and motioned for her to come to me.

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