Page 61 of The Masks We Break

It’s more like you who controls me, baby.

I shake my head, ridding myself of the thought. “Notyou,per se, but control over all the pleasure you feel. And,” I pause, letting my lips graze against the shell of her ear, enjoying the tremors that work through her body. “I’ve always wanted to tie you up like one.”

She shivers again, a small gasp slipping from her lips. “Pleasure. Does that have anything to do with how I feel after we... I... release. I’ve never experienced anything like that. It’s almost like a trance. Are you a dominant? Is that why it’s so different?”

My chest swells with something I can’t quite place, making me smirk. “No, I’m not. But I’ve considered doing more… research on it. I feel as though it may be a lifestyle choice that I naturally fit into. And as for your pleasure, I’d like to think it’s because we’ve had this smolder building between us for so long that it’s finally erupted. Not to mention our inclusion of pain and pleasure with this.” I let my hand slip between her thighs, and twirl around the piercing. Her head lolls to the side, a soft moan falling from her mouth, driving my blood south. “Is a perfect addition to help light the flames.”

“I see.” Is all she says before nestling back into my chest. The act sends warmth seeping into my body all the way to the bone. It’s as though I’m everything she needs, and I like that feeling probably too much.

It isn’t till much later, when I’ve cleaned her up, put fresh sheets on the bed, and climbed in behind her that realization sets in. Nothing could have prepared me for all that is Remy Solace. The storm that she is, slipping back into my life, and taking it over completely. Her rains drowning out the world and purging me of my dark thoughts.

Everything about her is right, and for the first time in my life, I wish I could feel an ache in my heart. I wish I could say that Ifeelanything close to how they describe love. Because when the day comes and she asks, I’m going to tell her the truth.

Then I’m going to lose her.

And that thought hurts my entire fucking body.

TWENTY EIGHT

Itell myself for the twelfth time as I walk through campus that I’m not completely screwed. That even though it feels like I’m free-falling from fifty thousand feet, I know I have my parachute to guide me down safely.

That I didn’t forget it on the plane and I’m surely not going to plummet to my theoretical death.

Or maybe I am.

You’re mine.

His words ring in my ear, whispering pretty nothings that suggest maybe this time he’s going to feel something. Maybe this means he doesn’t plan on letting me go.

A light headache wraps around my temples. In all honesty, I’m tired of worrying about it. Maybe what we have is all I need right now, and stressing about what may or may not happen will only ruin it faster.

I sigh, trying to regain some of my earlier confidence as I walk through the lit building’s doors. Dr. Humphrey’s last email really got under my skin, and I decided it’s time we hash it out. The man seems to despise me, and it’s about time I figure out why.

Stopping at the door, I take another breath.

I am responsible for my own happiness.

Knocking once, I wait for the grunt of welcome and stride inside, channeling my inner Amora, and reciting Blaze’s words.

He gazes up before going back to his work, as if I’m not standing in front of him.

“Dr. Humphrey, I’d like to talk to you.”

He’s quiet for a moment, and just as I open my mouth to say it again, to ask for an ounce of respect, he sets his pen down and looks up. “About what, Miss Solace?”

I hold up a hand. “Remy is fine.”

His dark eyes narrow, but he nods, gesturing to the chair in front of him. “I assumed you’d be quitting sooner or later.”

Tugging at the tips of my hair as I sit, confusion moves in. “I’m sorry?”

His bushy brows raise, his voice matter of fact. “That’s what you’re here for, aren’t you? I’m too hard on you? There’s too much juggling going on in your life and you need to free up sometime?”

The preconceived notions fly around like a sandstorm in my head. I can’t make sense of where he’d get the idea, considering how hard I work. But as the sediment settles, a thought unfurls.

He’d said that vague “like father like daughter” statement a while back, but I’d never prodded. Now seems like as good a time as any. “Is this about my dad?”

Dr. Humphrey’s jaw clenches tight. An obvious nerve hit. He picks his pen back up, tapping on his desk, before sighing. “Your mother was meant to run this academy. Unlike your negligent father, she was driven, passionate…” His voice trails off but I hear the whisper, “Beautiful.”

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