Page 86 of A Debt of Darkness

“Henry?”

He stiffens.

“You need to say something.” I’m mumbling. “Please. Say something.”

“Fucking hell, Ivy,” he says, rasping. “Are you sure? I don’t want this if you’re not ready. I want this to be right. For you. For us.”

I arch my eyebrow.

“I’m asking if you’re sure, Ivy. About me?”

My eyebrow goes higher.

Henry’s bright blue eyes turn red as I nod and his control slips for a moment. He’s as excited as I am, but he’s fighting to remain calm, determined to take things at whatever pace I’m comfortable with. He wants to lead, wants to control, but he wants to make damn sure he doesn’t rush me.

I nod and bite my lip. “I want this. I want you.”

He groans and it’s a sound full of need and want. It’s a release of weeks of waiting and we both know there’s no going back now. He’s heard me ask for this.

“Fuck, lea. Tell me again.”

I hum, pretending to be unsure. “I think I’m ready?”

Henry shakes his head and moves closer.

“I need you to say something?”

His eyes narrow and he stops millimeters from me.

I smirk and he stares. He’s concealing his emotions and refusing to play this game any longer. I’m not giving him what he wants and he won’t give me what I want until I do.

“I want you,” I say. “Please, Henry.”

Henry darts forward and his mouth meets mine. It’s full of need and want and he tastes of pure desire. His hands slide through my hair and pull me closer, and as his tongue claims my mouth, I stop caring about anything other than this. He’s perfect. He’s safe. He’s home. And he’s mine.

He pulls away and his face is sharp. I haven’t become accustomed to seeing him like this, I've become enthralled. Somehow, I like him more like this. It's how he really is, how he's meant to be. He isn't hiding anything and Henry trusts me to accept him when he shows me all he is.

He sighs and stiffens, pulling away. Moments ago, he wanted this. Now he's drawing back and I don't understand it.

It hurts and a pang of pain and panic grips my chest.

“I want this, want you,” he says, grabbing my arm as he seems to reassure me. “You get this once, Ivy. Let me do it right. For my sake. The way it was before I was turned. Tonight. When we can take our time. I can spend the night pleasing you. I want it to be special. I want it to be perfect.”

I nod, disappointed.

“Don't see this as anything other than an act of devotion, lea. I adore you. I refuse to let this be anything but perfect. I intend to feed you, pamper you and then fuck you until you see stars and you wonder why the hell we waited so long.”

Heat spreads over my face and Henry laughs. He grabs me and I whine, pretending to be irritated as he carries me to the bathroom. We strip and step into the shower and his gaze wanders over me, taking in my body as if he hasn't seen itbefore.

Henry grabs a sponge and washes me. Slowly. Reverently. Paying attention to the way I respond and telling me to behave when I giggle.

He finishes and guides me out of the shower, making sure he dries every inch of me. Henry points to the perfumes laid out on the side, making sure I've taken the hint before he walks away. He's making today about me and I get to indulge myself before tonight.

We dress and talk before he asks if I want breakfast. I grin and he waits until I've asked properly before arranging food. We repeat our ritual and the consistency reassures me everything is okay. Henry's even more attentive than usual and showers me with praise, and I know damn well he's doing everything he can to make today perfect.

The morning passes easily and we play, talk, and enjoy ourselves. It's light and easy, a day of pleasure without any constraints or worries.

He groans when his phone rings and his eyes darken as the conversation continues. Henry steps to the other side of the room and my heart sinks, certain something's wrong. He doesn't want me to hear and although I can't see his face, his body language tells me it's serious.

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