Page 141 of Wicked Fantasies

“It wasn’t just the limo,” she interrupted. “I mean the whole day, the trailer, the set. I really need a little bit of time to myself to sort some things out.”

He nodded, despite the fact he had no intention of letting her spend the evening alone. He suspected she was hoping to use the time to build up her defenses and to put off facing some pretty serious facts about herself.

“Why don’t you tell me what it is you need to think about? Maybe I could help.”

She shook her head, walking to the dresser to retrieve some of her personal items.

“What the hell are you doing?” He couldn’t contain the growl that escaped his lips, and she turned to look at him, startled.

“I told you. I’m moving back down to the guest house.”

“I thought you were spending one night there. Now you’re moving out? What happened, Gwen? What happened to scare you off?”

“Nothing. I’m not scared.” Her voice increased in volume and he could hear the panic in it. “I just need a damn break. Things are moving too fast, going too far.”

“I’d say they’re not moving far enough. Which part was it, Gwen? The spanking? The handcuffs? The idea of me taking your ass? Which part has you turning into a coward?”

He meant his taunt to sting. She was a proud woman and him calling her a coward would cut deep. Hopefully it would jar her enough to talk to him.

“Maybe it’s just you. Have you considered that?”

Touché.

She had some barbs of her own to toss. Pity for her, conceit and arrogance were traits he had an abundance of.

“No,” he answered smugly. “That lie never crossed my mind.”

Her hand clenched around the hairbrush she was holding, and he wondered for a moment if she would throw it at him. She swallowed heavily and he worried that she truly was frightened. Then he watched her skin flush, heard her soft, panting breaths, saw her nipples tighten.

Her gaze darted toward the door, and he sensed her plotting her chances at escape.

“You won’t make it,” he warned.

As always, her body reacted to the dare before her mind had time to catch up. She darted around him, but he beat her to the door, slamming and locking it before she could make it to the hall.

With one hand, he gripped her waist as she tried to race away from him, forcing her roughly against the wall. He held her trapped as she struggled for freedom. “You know your word.”

She fought him with the determination of a wild horse refusing to be tamed. As she struggled, her body’s signals declared her arousal, her excitement. She truly loved the chase, loved his harsh treatment.

“God dammit. Say the safe word or hold still.”

She froze and he wondered if she would call his bluff, use her safe word to cry halt. When she remained silent, he tried to understand what had happened to change her mind so suddenly. His mind could only grasp one reason.

“‘The Darkest Night’,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to recreate that story.”

He shook his head at the determination in her tone. “That makes no sense, Gwen. For one thing, our reenactments of your stories have been loose representations at best. In fact, the only story we’ve truly been delving into since you moved in here is ‘The Darkest Night’. We’ve been gradually working our way toward a BDSM relationship since the very first day.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I would never do something like that.” Her words sounded flat, and the second they passed her lips he knew she realized they were a lie.

“What did I tell you about lying to me? You want me to spell it out for you. I’ve pulled your hair, spanked your ass, handcuffed you to the limo and issued some pretty hardcore sexual demands for over a week. You’ve submitted your body, your mind, your soul to me. Why is that so hard for you to admit? To accept? You like being tied up in bed. Pain brings you pleasure. So what?”

He gripped her upper arms firmly, pushing her against the wall. As always her body reacted to his powerful actions, and a groan escaped before she could restrain it.

“Why are you trying to humiliate me?” Her voice was broken, sad.

“Humiliate you? That’s not what I’m doing. Jesus, Gwen. I’d never do that. I’m just trying to make you see that there’s nothing wrong with what we do together.”

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