Page 70 of Always

“You can leave them off,” I say. “In fact, take off the rest. I want you to serve me dessert naked.”

“Will you be naked, too?”

“Are you forgetting who makes the rules here?” I ask.

She smiles. “Braden, does this mean our relationship is back on?”

I cock my head. “Do you want it to be?”

“Do you?”

I shake my head. “You’re still the same Skye, arguing about every little thing. Yes, I want it to be, but I’m giving you an out.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not ready to give you what you gave me. I’m not ready to tell you the things you want to know, and to be honest, I may never be.”

She can always ask Apple.

But she won’t. I feel sure of it.

She strips off her shirt and bra and walks naked into my arms. She kisses my lips softly. “It’s okay. I want to be with you. Sure, I wish you’d be honest with me about those things in your past, but if I have to choose between you and knowing about you and Addie, I choose you.”

“You’re a stronger person than I am,” I say.

“I doubt that.”

“You are. I gave you a challenge, and you ran with it. You figured yourself out even though it was difficult and it caused you pain.”

“I’m far from having myself all figured out,” she says. “Like I said, it’s a journey, and the journey is what’s important.”

“I agree. And I want to give you something.”

“The truth about you and Addie?” She raises her eyebrows, hoping.

“No. That I can’t do. But I want to tell you a little more about my mother.”

She looks down at her bare breasts. “Now?”

“Maybe after dessert.” I pull something out of my pocket.

“What are those?” she asks.

I hold up two pieces of fabric, each red on one side and black on the other. “Restraints,” I say. “Silk restraints.”

“And you just happen to have those lying around in your pocket.”

“Have you ever known me not to come prepared?” My voice holds a touch of amusement, but I keep my expression stoic.

Her nipples harden in an instant, as if a chilly wind is blowing over them.

“Silk isn’t the best material for restraining someone,” I continue. “It can get knotted tightly and is sometimes difficult to release. Fortunately, I’m experienced enough that it doesn’t pose a problem.”

She shudders and looks around.

I see her mind working. Where will I bind her? Tie her? And what is all the experience I have with silk?

“To answer your question—”

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