Page 14 of Hard Limits

“One day, I’m going to put a collar around your neck.” I stroked her throat with my thumb, feeling how she swallowed nervously. “It’s going to be beautiful when I do, and you’re going to want it, you’re going to cherish it. You’re going to want me around you, always.”

Kissing her lightly on the cheek, and moving her aside, I walked away. I walked away from what I wanted the most and I did it with purpose. Maybe with a bit of indifference, she’ll miss me, she’ll realize only I could make her feel safe and loved.

CHAPTER EIGHT

ARACELY

I didn’t see him again for the rest of the night, and in a way, I felt naked, exposed without him nearby. His intensity soothed me, his presence calming. At least, when he was around, everyone knew they couldn’t come near. Now, here I was being accosted and cornered by the man I least wanted to see.

“Micah, please.”

“Come on, Aracely. Mistress may have given you food and shelter, but I’m the only one who could teach how to survive in this place. Without a Dom you’re just a sheep out for the slaughter. Let me be the one.”

“I already told you, I’m not here for that.”

“But you were definitely there for that asshole that hangs around you. Did you know he threatened everyone in here if they got near you?”

I was a bit taken by the statement, but not surprised. He would be the type to bring anyone down who came near me. It was an inexplicably warming thought.

“Let me make you feel good, baby,” Micah’s hand slid down the curve of my ass and I placed my hands on his chest as he tugged me close.

It wasn’t that Micah was a devious man, nor was he unattractive, I think that was the problem. He’d wanted me since I first met him, but I just didn’t want him in return and he didn’t seem to want to accept that. He was a handsome man, dark features, tall and muscular, he could have anyone in the room. Yet he wanted me, the broken one. The one who was slowly being taken by the one man who could destroy her.

A wave of panic crashed over me as soon as his hands engulfed my upper arms. My throat began to close, constricting my airflow, and a scream built up in my chest as his touch burned my bare skin.

“Aracely, are you listening to me?”

I stared back at him, when the curdling scream escaped my lips. I struggled to get away from his grip. At that point, I didn’t even realize who was holding me anymore. I just wanted them to stop.

“Aracely!”

Micah’s voice was sharp, yet distant. A wave of dizziness passed over me and suddenly he wasn’t there anymore, and my body was crumpling to the floor. Through my blurred vision, a familiar figure held Micah pinned against the wall. His growl eased my panic, slowly bringing me back to reality.

“Eric,” I whispered hoarsely, trying to gain my footing back. He ignored me, lost in his own fury. He was saying something harsh, threatening Micah.

“What did you do to her?”

He forced his forearm against Micah’s throat, Eric’s muscles flexing from his restraint. He’d kill him if I didn’t stop him.

“Eric,” my voice rose just enough for him to turn to me. His eyes met mine. Anger, worry, and concern etched along his furrowed brow.

Forgetting Micah, he crouched down beside me, anguish reflected in his eyes as he cradled my head. I flinched expecting that same burning pain, but his touch soothed me.

“Are you alright? Did he hurt you?”

“He didn’t hurt me,” my voice cracked and shook.

“He had his hands on you.”

“He wasn’t going to hurt me. He wouldn’t.” My eyes went to Micah’s, which were watching me with concern.

“I’m alright,” I spoke to him reassuringly.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” He reached out for me and instinctively I shielded myself with Eric.

“Fuck,” he grunted and swept his arms around me. Lifting me off the ground, he turned to Micah.

“Touch her again and I won’t think twice about putting a bullet between your eyes.”

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