Page 120 of The Duke and the Disciple

His hand came up to cup her face. “I don’t believe you really want this. I know you.”

A single tear rolled down from a gap in her blindfold. “If you knew me...” She didn’t finish.

“If I knew you, what?” he asked.

“I’m not doing this with you right now. If you want to stay, then... then enjoy yourself, as I am.”

Rahn’s voice broke. “How?”

Aesylt turned in the direction the other man was standing. “Can he join?”

“Ahh...” The man scoffed, snorting in annoyance. “I don’t know. B?”

“She has three holes, doesn’t she?”

Fresh wrath exploded from his every pore to hear them speak of her like that. “Ella...”

“I want to try something new tonight,” she said, lowering her chin and tilting her head. “But I would prefer it be with someone I trust.”

Rahn shook his head, despite her inability to see. “What do you want to try that we haven’t already?”

Aesylt glanced behind herself. He suddenly understood.

“You wantthat?”

She nodded. “I want that, and I’ll have it. But if you stay, you could... be the one. The first.”

Taking a woman that way had always been a desire of his, but whenever he thought of broaching the subject with Aesylt, the timing always felt wrong. He loved the way she invited his pain, so it wasn’t that. Truly, he didn’t understand his reticence at all.

And she wanted him to do it whileanother manwas inside of her.

“I can’t,” he said and kissed her cheek, brushing his thumb along the same spot. “I’m sorry.”

Why,why had she asked him to stay? The whole intent of the evening had been to drive himawayfrom her thoughts, to replace every brush of his hand—every thrust of his affection—so whatever power he held over her would be neutered forever.

But she wanted it. Wanted it badly. Wantedhimto be the one behind her, keeping her safe while she lived out a dark fantasy she might not get to experience again.

And he’d refused.

“Stay and play or leave,” A barked. “You’re killing the mood.”

B grabbed her hips and urged her back into motion. Aesylt lifted and did as he asked, but nothing was the same anymore. The spell had been broken, and all she felt was lost, her thoughts spiraling down a dark corridor.

“Come home with me.”

“Close,” B groaned.

“Ella. Look at me,” Rahn pleaded.

Dizziness punched her in the face. She rolled off B. Her hand clawed at her face, ripping at the blindfold, and the assault of light left her nauseated. The room spun, and it seemed no matter where she landed her hands or her knees, she was crawling into nothing... nowhere.

“Ella?” Rahn went to her.

“I don’t feel so—” She gripped the seams of two cushions for support and vomited.

“Whatdid you give her?” Rahn demanded. He gathered her hair at the nape of her neck.

“Nothing that would do this,” A said. “It just heightens the experience. That’s all.”

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