Page 40 of Redemption's Inferno

He nodded, hands in his pockets as he looked into her eyes. “Let’s give it a week, Em.”

She smiled wanly. “That’s what you said last week.”

“You gave me a week to help you find answers. Now you’ll give me a week to see if I can be in a relationship. I’ve never done it—haven’t the foggiest idea how—but I would give it a go for you.”

She laughed lightly, shaking her head. “You think a week is enough to decide if you want to be with me?”

“You thought a week was enough time to figure out something you couldn’t sort out for eight years,” he countered.

Their gaze sizzled. “It’s a little different,” she said finally.

“I already know how much I want you,” he said. “The question is whether I’d be good at it.”

This time her smile lit up her whole face. “I already know you’d be good at it.”

“I wasn’t talking about that!” he snorted.

“I was.” She held out her hand and waited for him to take it. When he did, she gently pulled him down to sit beside her. “I would submit if you asked me to, even though that’s not natural for me.”

“You’re naturally sexy and beautiful,” he said, sliding an arm around her waist and pressing a light kiss in the hollow of her shoulder. “I don’t want to dominate you, Em. I want to be your equal.”

He’d surprised her again, and she let out a long, relieved breath as she rested against his chest. “That,” she whispered softly, “is the second greatest gift you could ever give me.”

Chapter 15

With nothing to do but wait until they could visit the Brown family, Emilie suddenly had a kind of freedom she couldn’t remember having since she’d been in school. Chains suggested a day trip to Stonehenge, something Emilie had never seen. It was about a three-hour drive and even though they were getting a bit of a late start since it was already nearly 11:00, they didn’t have anything else to do and Emilie found his desire to expose her to some of the interesting history of his country charming and sweet. In fact, for the next three days he went out of his way to charm and impress her. Day trips, a flower stolen from someone’s garden in their travels, her favorite pastries each morning when they awoke, and even a few small gifts. Though it was lovely, Emilie worried he was working too hard and would quickly tire of spoiling her—had he truly never been in a relationship before? She wanted to talk to him about it, but was enjoying the attention so much she opted to wait.

As they cleaned up after dinner a few evenings later, Emilie’s phone rang and she was surprised to see Cuddy’s name flash on the screen. She slipped out of the kitchen and out onto the porch as she answered, wondering what he could possibly want.

“Yes, hello?”

“Hello, Em!” He sounded like any of her friends who might be calling her.

“Hello.”

“Listen, had a strange conversation about you with someone,” he said. “Thought I’d mention it.”

“About me?” She was startled. “Who was it?”

“Bloke showed up at the door but didn’t have the password. Made a bit of a fuss and finally dropped your name. My doorman came and got me and I took him into my office to see what was what. Said he was a friend of yours and you’d told him you participated in my evening activities. I told him it didn’t matter, anyone wanting to participate still had to be vetted and he said he only wanted to catch up with you, that your phone wasn’t working.” He paused. “But obviously your phone is working just fine.”

“Did you get his name? You didn’t give him my number, did you?!”

“Love, would I be calling if I were the type to give out your number?”

“You’re the type who ignored safety protocols and almost got me killed!” she snapped, looking up as Chains joined her on the porch.

“I did no such thing!” he laughed. “Hasn’t Warren confessed yet?”

“Warren?” She was confused. “What do you mean?”

“It was a game, love. He wanted Chains to have a reason to have to save you—asked me to do it as a favor to him. I knew when to stop. Bloody hell, do you think anyone would come to my parties if they didn’t feel safe? I’m known to push boundaries and to be a bit of an ass, but I’ve never ignored a safe word or allowed harm to come to anyone.”

“Warren…” Her voice trailed off. “That doesn’t matter—tell me about this man.”

“What man?” Chains groused, his eyes suddenly narrowing. “Is that Cuddy? Give me the phone!” He snatched it out of her hands and spat into the phone, “What’s going on, Cuddy? If you’re making trouble for Em—”

“Easy, mate.” Cuddy’s voice was strangely sincere as he repeated what he’d told Emilie. “I told this bloke nothing and also told my security not to let him back in. Wouldn’t give his name.”

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