Page 47 of Séance

While her nearness eases my anxiety slightly, my nerves ratchet up even more. Though I might like my women tied down and helpless when I bed them, they are always aware and consenting.

Never like this.

Never without permission.

Sucking in a shuddering breath, I slowly close the distance between us, the tightness in my chest increasing with every inch until nothing else exists but her. I don’t close my eyes as I lightly brush my lips against hers, searching for the slightest reaction.

With a sinking gut, I increase the pressure, my hold on her tightening in one last desperate attempt to reach her. I’m just about to pull back when she takes a startled breath. Her eyes come into focus, and I freeze. Before I can pull away and apologize, her lips move gently under mine, and I’m a goner.

My eyelids slide closed, and I take over the kiss. Relief makes my mouth rough—anything to keep her tied to the present. After a minute, I reluctantly pull away and press my forehead against hers as I struggle to catch my breath. “Princess, you can’t do that to me again.” I tangle my fingers in her hair, then pull back her head until she’s forced to look at me. “We’re going to work on what to do next time you get an anxiety attack, understand?”

“Ye-es,” she stutters, never taking her eyes from me.

I lean closer, narrowing my eyes in warning. “Yes, sir.”

Her eyes widen, and damn if my cock doesn’t harden as I push her.

“Yes, sir,” she says dutifully, lowering her eyes submissively and looking at me from under her lashes. I stifle a groan, my cock leaking from her obedience, and I barely resist the urge to kiss her again, afraid I won’t stop.

“Good girl,” I murmur, my voice husky, and then I stifle a smirk when she shivers.

Oh, she’s going to be a pleasure to train.

I reluctantly untangle my fingers and release her, but I don’t retreat.

As if she misses my touch, she leans toward me before catching herself. Her teal eyes glitter from within, the color looking like tourmaline crystals as she stares up at me. “You have experience with panic attacks.”

It’s not a question, and I barely resist shifting under her observant gaze. If I expect her to trust me, then I need to give her the same courtesy. “My family has extremely high expectations for me and my siblings. My sister and brother fell into line without a fight, their personalities snuffed out of existence, leaving behind clones of our parents.”

I don’t look away from her, afraid I will lose my courage. “As the youngest, I was expected to exceed their expectations, every little rebellion I staged ruthlessly crushed. If it wasn’t for the guys keeping me grounded, I wouldn’t have survived their…tender mercies.”

When Rue reaches out and rests her hand against my chest, my breath shudders out of me. “Hence the panic attacks.”

I nod once. “It’s gotten better over the years, mostly through trial and error. I can teach you some techniques to help keep you calm if you want.”

Chapter Fifteen

RUE

My heart breaks for Ellis, and the need to comfort him rides me so hard that I thread my fingers together to keep from hugging him. My parents did their best to crush any sort of softness in me, ruthlessly exploiting every weakness.

Somehow, the guys are working their way under my guard, and it’s freaking me out.

I can’t afford even the smallest weakness. If my father catches a whiff of it, he’ll use them against me and drag me back to that prison.

I won’t go back.

I would rather die first.

“Rue?” Ellis calls, capturing my face again, and my ragged breathing catches in my throat. “That’s it. Focus on me now.”

He brushes his thumb against my cheek, and I shudder under the tender touch.

“That’s good,” he murmurs. “One more deep breath.” He inhales deeply, and I automatically mimic him. “Good girl.”

My insides soften at his praise, but it doesn’t completely erase the jitters. I touch the wound on my arm, the pinch of pain helping to keep me grounded.

“Don’t!” Ellis snaps, snatching my wrists up in an unbreakable hold. “Don’t hurt yourself.”

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