Page 47 of A Debt of Darkness

“Don’t. Even. Think. About. It.” Henry says in a quiet but forceful voice. “You’ve done quite enough sitting on stone floors. You’re in pain. Now stay still.”

Henry draws the flannel down my skin and I practically swoon for the man who’s wicked and vicious and has hurt me in ways I’m struggling to comprehend. His bright blue eyes track my every movement and I sigh, giving in now I’ve decided this won’t hurt me.

“I’ll bathe you later.” He purses his lips. “We have to think of a name for you, pet.”

I sink forward and collapse against him, resting my head on his shoulder. I’m tired and I don’t want to face another fight. Not again. Not so soon.

His hands rub my back and Henry’s touch is a burst of pleasure in a world of pain. It’s sunlight bursting through the rain clouds and I purr, delighted he’s setting me on fire. It’s a confusing contrast to the stiff soreness he caused, and my head despises my body for its betrayal.

“Lea.”

I moan and Henry laughs quietly.

“Lea, it is.”

I jerk my head up and he’s smiling, entirely relaxed and completely content. It’s another rule I don’t understand and my eyes question what the hell I’ve agreed to.

The knock at the door interrupts us and Henry transfers my weight to the chair. He rises and steps outside the room before I can see who’s at the door and returns a few minutes later. He’s carrying a tray of food and he places it down on the table, moving the furniture until it’s arranged the way he wants.

When he’s satisfied, he sits and picks up a piece of bread.

My stomach grumbles and Henry smiles.

“Open, lea.”

My eyes narrow and Henry’s jaw tightens. I gulp and he isn’t impressed.

“We’re not going backward, lea.”

Henry’s insisting he feed me and we’re approaching an impasse again. The hunger and exhaustion have weakened my resolve, and I tell myself I’m not performing this ridiculous ritual because I’ve accepted it. I insist it’s because I’m being smart and rebuilding my strength. I ignore the disgusting warmth building in my chest and decide this undignified moment is the lesser of two evils.

I open my mouth.

“A little wider, lea.”

“What does it mean?”

He grins and I refuse to like it. It looks damn good on him, and he’s got me smiling back at him like a smitten teenager. It’s disgusting. It’s unacceptable. It’s nice. Really nice.

“I’ll tell you later if you behave. Open.”

I giggle like the lunatic I’ve become and open my mouth. Henry pops the bread into my mouth and it tastes likeheaven. I chew and my resistance crumbles, succumbing to the temptation of no longer being hungry. I’m practically begging for more as I swallow and Henry’s eyes light with something wicked and slightly unnerving.

He places the cushions on the floor and I don’t like where this is going. I tense and he ignores it, gently sliding me onto the softened floor and placing me on my knees. I whine and he shakes his head, ignoring my feigned protest about being sore. I whine a second time, and his gaze hardens.

“Quiet.”

A shudder heats my core and makes my clit throb. Fuck, this is weird. It’s wrong. It’s degrading. It’s unacceptable. It’s turning me on.

“Good girl.”

My clit throbs again and I don’t like it.

I’ve lost my goddamn mind. I’m enjoying this despite the horror of it.

“Open, lea.”

Henry holds another piece of bread in front of me and I don’t know what to do. My head’s trying to figure out all the thoughts and emotions swirling through it when I taste food and gasp, realizing I’ve already opened my goddamn mouth.

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