Page 198 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

And she didn’t give a fuck.

If it pissed Theon off, good. He deserved every bit of it.

But if Theon approved…

Gods, the very idea made her entire bodyhot. Desire coursed through her, and fuck it.

She was wild and impulsive and uncontrollable. May as well lean into it.

Theon?she asked down the bond, a disapproving rumble coming from Luka across the room. But the dragon didn’t move. Didn’t tell her to stop.

Tessa? Are you all right?came Theon’s reply.

I am,she replied.But Luka isn’t.

What happened?he demanded.

She held Luka’s stare the entire time when she answered,He wants me to crawl across the floor and beg him sweetly from my knees, but he’s afraid you’ll disapprove.

The silence down the bond was deafening, and she watched the taut tendons in Luka’s neck while they both waited to see what Theon was going to say next. It didn’t matter to her. If Theon said no, she’d let him feel every bit of her emotions as she openly defied him. And if Theon said yes… Well, she’d let him feel every bit of her desire then too, knowing exactly what it would be doing to him hundreds of miles away.

And what do you think about that, little storm?Theon finally asked, and she couldn’t decipher the emotions that accompanied those words.

Will you hate it, and wish it was you?she retorted.

Always,he answered.But is the only reason you’re debating it to punish me?

Luka’s eyes narrowed at that question, and she knew he wanted that answer as much as Theon did.

No,she replied.

It was one word, but the feral want that flooded down the bond made her press her thighs together beneath Luka’s sweatshirt.

Then on your knees, clever tempest,Theon answered.But Tessa?

Yes?And her voice was breathy even down the bond.

Only him. If anyone else touches what is mine, death will be a mercy.

She ignored that comment, still focused on Luka across the room, as she dragged his sweatshirt over her head and let it drop to the floor beside her.

Then she slowly sank to her knees.

I’m not there, but I feel Luka, little storm. Gods, you must look stunning,Theon said, and the praise… She knew what this was. Theon valued control. He knew she wanted this. Knew Luka wanted this. And the only way he could give it to them was to still be involved. Still havesometype of control over all this. And while she didn’t care, Luka clearly did. Luka’s loyalty was both a blessing and a curse to him, so she let Theon have this. Not for him, but for Luka.

For Luka who came for her again and again. For teaching her to defend herself. For believing she was worth it. For not demanding her trust, but earning it slowly over time. For letting her rage, but also insisting she learn control. For understanding that sometimes she needed someone else to take control, but that she also needed to learn to take it for herself. For lettinghermake that choice. For taking her to Theon when Roan was dying. For coaxing her through the dark and cramped tunnels of the Underground.

For the fucking flip-flops.

Her eyes stayed on his as she crawled across the floor, and she could feel him. Wild yet controlled. Untamed yet steady. Impulsive yet restrained.

She stopped directly in front of him, sitting back on her heels and looking up into glowing sapphire eyes. His hand trembled as he lifted it, fingers caressing her cheek.

“Ask me.”

It was a whispered command, and she watched his throat bob. She’d never felt more powerful as she watched him watch her. She didn’t have to do this. No master was forcing her to her knees. No one was ordering her. She wanted to do this, and knowing Luka wanted her for no other reason than because she was who she was? Gods, this wasn’t a thank you for taking her with tonight. This was thanking him for always accepting her as she was while simultaneously encouraging her to never settle.

He swallowed again, his fingers trailing along her jaw before his thumb brushed over her bottom lip. “Have you done this for Theon?”

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