Page 223 of Unexpected Hero

I’ve almost confessed a dozen times in the last month alone. But then Kri got kidnapped, and Redleg picked a fight with the fucking Russian mafia.

For a fucking year, there’s never been a good time to tell Big Al.

There’s always something stopping me.

My stomach sours as I admit to myself that even if things were rosy and full of rainbows at Redleg, I’d still avoid telling her about her father.

And the truth about me.

Because the guilt and pain I feel for lying to her is easier to stand than the thought of hurting her or watching her walk out my door.

And out of my life.

For twelve damn months, I’ve been held hostage by the lies I’ve told her.

Every passing day, the ropes around my wrists and ankles tighten. I don’t have the strength to break free. Instead, I wait for the noose to slip around my neck and cinch, cutting off my airway.

When she leaves, she’ll take the oxygen with her.

I won’t survive it.

Unaware of the darkness ravaging my psyche, she raises her mouth to mine and kisses me tenderly. I close my eyes, selfishly letting her lips ease the burn of the ropes binding my body.

When she pulls away, she cups my cheek. “Thank you.”Her posture changes, strength infusing her frame. “I’m ready now. Hit play.” Some of that gritty determination that gave her the courage to leave her church is present, front and center.

She spins around to reface the laptop. I lean over to tap play, then pull her close again, locking my hands at her waist in the position we were in before the conversation went sideways. She’s nestled between my legs, resting her back to my chest.

The video starts with me telling her to get up against the wall. The expression she wore was priceless. The sparks of her arousal were doused with gasoline when she realized I was going to act out her fantasy.

A few weeks ago during pillow talk — another experience I never thought I’d have — she told me about how our banter in the coffee shop on the day we met left her all hot and bothered.

I already knew that since I heard her tell Stella all about it when I invaded her privacy. And I hate myself for all those violations. If I had a time machine, I’d do a million things differently.

Before I get sucked back down the self-flagellation rabbit hole, Lettie stiffens in my arms, and her breathing intensifies as she watches me stalking behind her on-screen and guiding her hands where I wanted them, leaving them pressed flat against the wall.

Despite the onslaught of negative thoughts, my dick twitches at the sight.

She was so fucking hot last night. From the way the harness bands wrapped around her breasts to the solo strap running between her ass cheeks like a thong.

A goddess. Naked except for the purple bands.

Purple became my new favorite color.

No. Not purple.

Violet.

Squeezing her midsection, I whisper in her ear.“You okay, sweetness?”

Her head bobs frantically, her breath catching. “Uh-huh.”

Nuzzling into her neck, I kiss her supple flesh. “Look how beautiful you are.”

“I’m trying.”

“You’re doing amazing, sugar bear.”

“I might throw up. You should have let me have the tequila popcorn.”

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