Page 72 of Checks & Bonds

I wanted to believe her words could fix things. But I knew better than to hope for miracles.

Her lips parted as if to say something more, but she hesitated, waiting for me to make the next move. In that moment of silence between us, all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart and the distant echoes of my rage.

Would she ever truly see? Would she ever know the depths of what kept me awake at night? The darkness that clung to my every thought?

But here she stood—brave and unwavering in front of a storm.

I reached out tentatively and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "You're infuriating," I whispered.

A ghost of a smile tugged at her lips. "I know."

Freya's fingers were like whispers against my skin, unbuttoning my shirt with deliberate care. Each button released felt like an electric jolt, shooting warmth through my body. Istood there, fists clenched at my sides, watching her every move. Her touch was light, almost reverent, as she slipped the shirt off my shoulders and let it fall to the floor.

I reached for her, driven by a need I couldn't suppress, but she shook her head.

"You can't touch," she said in a low voice that sent shivers down my spine. "Remember? I get you in whatever way I want you."

"Freya," I growled, annoyance lacing my voice.

She met my gaze with a defiant glare that both infuriated and entranced me. "Henry," she replied firmly. "Please."

I clenched my teeth together, hating how those simple words from her could strip me of my defenses. I hated I couldn't say no to her. But there was something in her eyes, something that made me relent.

She continued her meticulous work, her hands sliding down to unbuckle my belt. My body heated under her touch, a fire spreading from where her fingers grazed my skin. She was so careful, so delicate in her movements that it almost drove me mad.

My breath hitched as she undid the zipper of my pants and eased them down over my hips. Her eyes never left mine, challenging me to break the silent agreement we had forged in this moment.

I wanted to touch her so badly it hurt, but the look in her eyes held me captive. She was in control now, and I had to let her have it.

As she continued to strip away the barriers between us piece by piece, I realized that this was more than just a physical act. It was a battle of wills, a test of who we were to each other.

And for now, I had to let her win.

When I was completely naked, Freya took all of me in. Her eyes traveled over every inch of my body, lingering on thescars and bruises from countless fights and workouts. She was thorough, methodical, like she was memorizing every line and curve.

"You're stunning," she told me, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hate it. But it's the truth."

The honesty in her words stung, but I couldn’t look away. She jerked her chin towards the bed. "Lie down."

I hesitated, the command grating against my instincts. But there was something about being bossed around by her I couldn't resist. It felt different, like giving up control in this moment was a small rebellion against everything else that had gone wrong.

I climbed onto the bed, stretching out on the cool sheets. The air prickled my skin as I watched her slowly strip off her own clothes.

Her fingers worked deftly at the buttons of her blouse, each one coming undone with an almost hypnotic rhythm. The fabric slipped from her shoulders, revealing the smooth expanse of her collarbone and the delicate curve of her neck. Her skin glowed softly in the dim light, a stark contrast to the dark fabric of her bra.

She unhooked it with a flick of her wrist, letting it fall to the floor without a second thought. My eyes followed every movement as she stepped out of her jeans and slid off her panties with an ease that made my breath catch in my throat.

Freya stood there for a moment, completely exposed and unapologetic. Her eyes roved over me again, this time with a hunger that sent shivers down my spine.

She was beautiful in a way that was both fierce and tender—an impossible combination that left me aching for more. Her hair fell around her shoulders in loose waves, framing her face as she took a step closer to the bed.

My heart pounded as she climbed onto the mattress beside me, the warmth of her body radiating towards mine. Every inch of space between us seemed to hum with electricity.

And in that moment, I knew that whatever happened next would change everything between us.

Freya kept her eyes locked on mine as she moved down, her lips parting just before they met my cock. The sight of her like this, so bold and unyielding, sent a shudder through me. Her mouth enveloped me, warm and wet, and I couldn't hold back the moan that escaped my lips.

Instinctively, my hand shot to the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair. But as soon as I did, she pulled away, her eyes flashing with defiance.

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