Page 81 of Reckless Vow

Here, spread for him on his dining table, I’m so absorbed by the game that I don’t get a chance to retreat from the playground.

I lose track of time and space. I lose myself to his game. To him.

But his teasing goes on for what feels like an eternity.

“Baldo, I can’t…” I whimper.

“Baby, we’ve just started. You can take it.”

The phrase hits me like an icy ocean wave, erasing everything, and I kick with all my might.

Chapter23

Baldo

“What the fuck, Brook?”

She missed my groin by mere inches, but it’s not the narrowly avoided pain that riles me up.

It’s the utter confusion.

“You have a fucking safe word. No need—” The words die on my lips when I take in the scene.

Brook scrambled off the table and removed her blindfold, but she didn’t run any farther. She’s standing there, trembling, tears rolling down her cheeks.

The sight is a punch into my stomach and a vise on my chest. I’m not fucking sure what happened. Again.

My immediate instinct screams to take her in my arms. Should I? Can I?

“Brook, baby…” I approach slowly.

A sob escapes her, her shoulders trembling. “I’m sorry.”

The sound kills any hesitation in me. Fuck that. I’ll gladly have her kicking my balls if that makes her hurt disappear.

I erase the distance between us and open my arms. “Can I?”

She nods, and as soon as she buries her face into my chest, she starts crying.

I hold her and murmur her name, my mind misfiring and my heart hammering. I don’t know what to do, because I don’t know what happened.

I can’t force her to talk when she is like this. But the agony of waiting to find out is excruciating. It coils around my spine like a poisonous snake. My hands itch, relentless energy zapping through me.

I ignore it, staying still for her. Fuck, it’s hard.

I need to fix it. Whatever it is.

Selfish prick. She needs me to be here for her in whatever way she deems appropriate. I know that, and yet the helplessness drives me mad.

“You must think I’m crazy.” Her shoulders continue to shake.

I press my lips against her temple and hold her.

And I wish I wasn’t a coward and could kiss her.

She is a mess, at her most vulnerable, and here I am protecting my fucking heart. Selfish and helpless. God, I have never hated myself more than now.

“You’re not crazy. Could you tell me what I did?” I rein in my need for control and speak softly.

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