Page 24 of Wicked Oath

“I do,” I smile. “I’m really sorry, Talon. I know I deserve to be punished and…”

“Stop right there,” he says. “You do not get punished for having emotions. You were triggered. I was triggered. We need to learn to work together when these things happen rather than against each other. If you deserve a punishment, then so do I.”

“Ohhh. Can I spank you?” I ask with a grin.

“Only if I can take your ass,” he counters.

“Deal!” I say, putting my hand out to shake his.

“I didn’t expect you to say that,” he laughs. “No, no spanking.”

“Damn. How else am I going to punish you then?” I ask sweetly.

“How about this? No one gets punished. We start talking to each other about whatever is bothering us, no matter what it is.We find a way to move forward together, but we also learn to recognize when we need to take space alone and think,” he says. “We just need to take this day by day.”

“I don’t like fighting with you,” I admit.

“I don’t like fighting with you either, but you know what?”

“What?” I ask.

“Viper pointed something out and I wanted to get your opinion,” I say.

“I’m listening.”

“I told him I was afraid to fall for you, and he said I already did,” he says. “He thinks I am capable of love, but it scares me. The only person I ever remember loving was my father, and he’s gone. I’ve been heartless since.”

“You are not heartless,” I say softly, cupping his face. A tear slides down his cheek and I wipe it away. “We are broken, Talon, but our jagged pieces fit together perfectly.”

“I’m afraid of becoming dependent on you for happiness only to lose you,” he says.

“I’m not willingly going anywhere,” I say with a small smile. “Leaning on each other for support isn’t dependency. Asking for help does not make you weak. I will be whatever you need me to be, because I know you will do the same for me.”

“You are too sweet for me, Laney,” he says, searching my face.

“What can I do for you?” I ask.

“What do you mean?”

“How can I support you? When you get triggered, what can I do?” I ask.

“Just distract me,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how. Just ignore my anger and do whatever you want.”

“So, I could just suck your dick every time you got mad?” I ask with a grin.

“I’m feeling a bit angry right now, Delaney,” he says, also grinning with a devilish look in his eye.

“Silly man,” I laugh.

“Yes, but just sitting in my lap and making me look at you will help. I just need out of the situation sometimes,” he says. “How can I helpyou?”

“I just need out of my head sometimes. I get into a spiral of thoughts, and I don’t know how to stop, so making me stop is helpful. It really just depends on the situation,” I say. “Worst case scenario… fuck me. Make me come until I pass out. Hell, choke my ass out, so I take a nap.”

“You are a kinky little thing,” he smirks.

“I don’t know how, but I suppose,” I laugh. “I don’t know how I am able to separate consensual sex and rape, but I am. I’ve always known the difference.”

“Mmm. There’s more to your trauma, isn’t there?”

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