Page 105 of Crave Me

“Not at all.”

“Seems like it. These pointed questions, then you making sure you were right here when I woke up. I mean, it would either be you or Bastian, he’s exceptionally talented at reading people and seeing their true intents beneath the surface too.”

“You’re growing agitated and redirecting.”

“I’m trying to get a clear picture of what’s going on here.”

“No. You’re trying to avoid discussing what happened to you, to avoid admitting that it has actually impacted you. You’re even lashing out to veer things off that track.”

“Beg me to make you come. Tell me I own your hot little ass. Use my name. Say it.” He dug his fingers into my skin. “Final test of submission, then I’ll know you’re really with me.”

I slammed my fist down onto the bed. “I wasn’t turned! He didn’t break me!”

“There it is. Good pet. Harder now. Chase that orgasm.”

“Yeah, let me see you break for him, Rowland.”

I tugged at my hair. “He fucking didn’t, Ash! He didn’t!”

“I know.”

“You… what?”

“I never considered for a moment that Bane would stand any chance of breaking you.”

“Then what—”

“It doesn’t mean that what you endured didn’t affect you.”

I sighed. “Is that why Cas isn’t here? He thinks I’m damaged?”

“He needed treatment. He sustained a gunshot wound as well as damage to his hand from a tactical knife.”

“Is he all right?” I asked, urgency bleeding from me.

“He’s doing well, yes. He’ll be fine.”

“Is there more to this?”

“What?”

“Come on, Ash, I know how Caspian is when one of us is hurt. Getting treated wouldn’t even keep him away. So there’s got to be more to it.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a beat, before telling me, “You’ve been asleep for several days and throughout that time you were talking in your sleep.”

“Talking in my sleep? About what?”

“You uttered Elijah’s name a lot. Caspian likely assumed it would be disorientating and frightening for you to suddenly awaken and find him there with that going on.”

“Like I’d mistake him for Elijah?” I asked, disgusted at the thought of it.

“In a manner of speaking.”

No, Asher was just trying to sugarcoat it for me. Cas clearly thought I was damaged.

“It’s the middle of the night, so everyone’s asleep?”

He nodded. “It’s just you and me who are awake, along with a few security personnel.”

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