Page 56 of Twisted Truths

“Obsidian, I’m fine.” I push back the sweaty hair that’s fallen over his forehead.

“No, I hurt you. You must be sore.”

“A little, but I liked it. If I didn’t, I would have asked you to stop.”

His gaze bounces around my face, unable to settle anywhere, but the pain in his eyes cuts me.

“Hey.” I bring both hands to the stubble on his cheeks and cradle his face. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I would have spoken up if I wasn’t into it. If I’m honest, it turns me on so much when you can’t control yourself around me. I’m not just saying that.” I tip his head down to see the truth of my words in my face.

Tears gather in the corners of his eyes. “If I hurt you… I couldn’t bear it, Ariana. Couldn’t bear it if I were that kind of a monster.”

Dropping my hands from his face, I wrap my arms around his waist and hug him as hard as I can. “You’re not a monster, Obsidian.”

His arms settle around me, and he nudges his face in the crook of my neck. “I don’t know what is about you, I can’t get enough.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and hold him for long minutes, my emotions running ragged in my chest and flaying me from the inside out. We may have made a deal that feelings wouldn’t be involved, but it’s clear to me now that was never going to be the case. Even if neither of us ever admits it, there’s more between us than an insane amount of sexual chemistry.

“Are you ready to get in the shower?” I eventually ask when steam fills the room.

He nods against the crook of my neck. “Yeah.” His voice cracks.

When I pull away, some of the pain in his eyes has dimmed, but he’s still locked in his head.

“C’mon.” I slide my hand in his and lead him inside the huge walk-in shower.

This is the first time we’ve showered together. It’s the first time I’ve showered with any man, and I treasure the fact Obsidian gets this first.

There’s more than one shower head, so we step under separate ones. The warm water relaxes my sore muscles and eases their fatigue. We’re both quiet, and as the silence stretches between us, my thoughts drift to something I was wondering earlier today.

“Have you ever initiated anyone into the club before?”

Obsidian’s head turns in my direction with a scowl. “Why would you ask that?”

I shrug. “Just wondering if this is a semi-regular Saturday night for you. Wondering how many women are at the Ritual Room because you brought them in.”

He breaks the distance between us and wraps his hand around the back of my neck, dipping his head so our eyes line up. “I’ve never invited another woman to join. And I never will again. You’re my first and only.”

When he says things like that, I wish I could stay here forever and love this man, but once he finds out why I’m here or what I’ve stolen from him, he won’t look at me like he is right now. As if I’m a woman he could love too.

I don’t bother asking the other question I was wondering—how many women there he’s slept with. I won’t like the answer, and I don’t want it to be my main focus the next time I’m down there.

Inching up to my tippy toes, I lick his wolf tattoo then place a light kiss on his neck. “Good answer.” I pick up the shampoo.

“Here, let me.” He waves his hand toward him.

I place the bottle in his hand and turn around. Seconds later, he massages shampoo into my hair, and a moan escapes me from his fingers kneading my scalp as the shower fills with his scent. He rinses the shampoo out of my hair and applies conditioner.

“Was tonight what you thought it would be?” he asks.

I’m not surprised he’s waited until my back is to him to ask. It’s a concern of his and shows his vulnerability. Something he guards with a thick concrete wall.

“I’m not sure I really knew what to expect. But my nerves went away faster than I thought. I don’t think I expected to be so turned on by everyone watching.”

His deep chuckle sounds from behind me as he finger-combs the conditioner through my hair. “Maybe you’re an exhibitionist.”

“Would that bother you?”

He places his hands on my shoulders, turning me around. “Ariana, this isn’t just about my sexual satisfaction. If there’s something you’re into, something you want to try, all you have to do is ask.”

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