Page 106 of A Debt of Darkness

Ivy’s mine, but she still isn’t ready for much of what we’ll do. There’s no rush, but I’m fucking desperate for her submission to deepen. I want her on her knees, begging for my cock, willing to crawl and submit to my every command.I want her fucking dripping for me and I want her so well trained that the sound of my footsteps or voice makes her wet.

I want her to wear a collar and let me leash her. The thought of it sends a shiver down my spine that runs straight to my cock. Damn, the thought of Ivy in nothing but my collar has me rock hard in seconds and I wish she was ready for me to fuck her again.

My weight shifts and Ivy repositions herself, either missing or ignoring the erection straining to get out of my trousers. I let the conversation wash over me, trying to put the image of her naked and collared out of my mind.

I fail, miserably—and resort to convincing myself I’m thinking through the intricacies of the design I’ve had made for her. I decided on rubies to match her ring, something elegant and detailed but not fussy. Ornate but functional. Feminine but strong.

“Henry?” she asks, snapping me awake from my almost wet dream.

Ivy sits up and stares at me like I’ve lost my goddamn mind, concerned something’s horribly wrong.

“Sorry, I was thinking about something else.”

Ryan and Matt smirk. Both aware my thoughts are as filthy as sin—and I’d bet a small fortune they’d divined them with unnerving accuracy.

“I was asking if everything was alright,” she says, quietly.

I arch an eyebrow, confused.

“After yesterday. With Ryan. Between you and Ryan and Matt.’

I nod and relax, finally catching up with the conversation I’d missed out on while I was fantasizing about her. The two assholes opposite let their smirks widen as we exchange glances and silently decide we’re going to give Ivy all thereassurance she needs.

“We’re fine,” Matt says.

“It’s normal for vampires to be possessive over their partners, Ivy. I get possessive over Matt. He’s the same about me,” Ryan adds.

“We’ve not seen Henry do this, but he’s never been married before and we’ll have to get used to him being more of a dick than usual.”

I growl and they laugh.

I roll my eyes and pull Ivy against me again. “You’ll get used to this, lea. Vampires are vicious and spats happen regularly. They’re often violent. But when it’s over with, it’s over. Everyone moves on unless they decide they want to spend the next few centuries fighting.”

She stiffens.

“I’m not pissed about what Henry did,” Ryan says, completely calm. Almost dismissive. “I’d have reacted the same if it was the other way around. Honestly, Ivy, I’d probably have been worse.”

Ivy lifts her head towards me and asks if this is as simple as we’re making out.

“I’m not angry about what Ryan did. I was hurt. You trusted him, but it makes sense. I understand it and I’ve accepted it. There’s nothing left to fight about.”

“But he has my…”

Our eyebrows rise in unison.

“Don’t you want to know what he knows?”

I shake my head and tell a partial lie. “Ryan won’t tell me because they’re yours, lea. He’ll tell you what he knows if you ask him—and one day, you’ll share them with me. Willingly. Repeatedly. And I look forward to discovering that for myself.”

Ryan shrugs. “My lips are sealed, Ivy. I’m happy to discuss it with you, but not Henry or Matt. And I won’t let Matt take them if he drinks from me.”

Technically, it wasn’t a lie. I don’t give a shit if it isn’t quite the truth and I’ve avoided hurting her by giving a carefully crafted response. A politician’s answer. It’s smooth and slick, a lie hidden in its truths.

I’m desperate to know what Ivy shared with Ryan and to experience her emotions and memories as if they were my own. I’d do almost anything to have her open up to me like that, and it’s not going to happen any time soon. I’m going to have to earn it from her—and that will make it all the sweeter when she finally gives in.

This is about Ivy.

She needs to know we’re all okay and that she’s safe. And if telling a lie like this makes things easier for her, then it’s a sin I’ll commit over and over to keep her happy.

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