Page 46 of Vicious Vows

“You don’t want me tamed,” I said. “You like when I suffer at the mercy of your very kinky hands.”

“I don’t want you out of my life.” He brushed his finger along my cheek with a tenderness that made my stomach flip. “You somehow managed to put yourself front and center.”

“That’s a habit of mine.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“But you’re not sure you want me front and center.”

Maybe it was my near-death experience that had me asking him the difficult questions, but I needed to know where I stood with him. I almost took a bullet standing by him. Shouldn’t I at least know if he really wanted me there?

“Two months ago, I knew without a doubt I didn’t want you with me because of your last name. Not to mention, I thought you were a spoiled brat with an agenda.”

“That didn’t hurt my feelings then and it still doesn’t now.”

“I’m not trying to hurt your feelings.”

He softened his gaze, but the torment in his eyes crushed my heart, and his tortured soul sucked the air right out of my lungs.

How can I help you?

“You’re the most fearless woman I know.”

“Thank you.”

“It scares the shit out of me.” He gripped the comforter. “You have no idea how much.”

“Nothing scares you.”

“You do.”

“Why?”

“Because you do what you want and never worry about the consequences,” he said. “It could have been much worse last night.”

“Last night didn’t happen because I was being reckless. I was dancing with you.”

“But being with me is a consequence of your actions.”

I maneuvered out of the covers and made my way into his lap. I wanted to scream when the movement became too much, but my need to be in his arms outweighed the agony.

“What are you doing?” He held me against him. “You shouldn’t overexert yourself.”

“I wanted you to hold me.”

I rested my head against his chest, breathing in his calming scent. He surrounded me in his solid form, keeping me close. No matter what, he was my protector.

Did he think he failed me last night?

“You’re afraid that what happened to your mother will happen to me, aren’t you?”

His body tensed and his hold on me tightened.

“Tell me that’s what it is,” I said.

After a few moments, he whispered, “It is. When I saw that you were bleeding, I… It was like that day when the car…”

“That’s not going to happen.”

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