Page 56 of On a Fault Line

Looking down at the blissful angel resting in my arms, I can’t help but smile as she takes a little nap.

Penelope Hoffman is one of a kind. Reckless. And resilient.

So I just hold her, petting her damp hair with my fingertips and enjoying this calmness that I’m not often granted where this girl is concerned.

Minutes go by, turning into an hour.

My legs have fallen asleep and my elbow is starting to go numb. And yet I have never been this comfortable in the silence with a girl. Our breathing matches and when my princess starts to stir, a beastly force also moves within me. I want to claim her. I want every part of her to know that I’m the one she answers to, and I’m the one who is the deliverer of her pleasure.

“Collins?” she asks, looking up at me in confusion. “Did I fall asleep?”

I nod. “You did. Feel better?”

Her eyes look around the bathroom. “Yes. I definitely can think better and see better.”

I chuckle. “Good. No more overindulging on margaritas like you did back at the taco place. You need to know your limits.”

“But I was safe because I had you.”

“Don’t run away from me again.”

“Or what?”

“You’ll unleash the man within me who you might find scary.”

“You’d never hurt me, even if I couldn’t think clearly. Don’t you get it? If I didn’t have you and the contract, just imagine what stupid shit I’d be doing without your protection?”

“That’s true.”

The towel slips and I’m able to get a front-row view to Penny’s delectable body. She’s exquisite. Perfectly innocent.

She wiggles in my lap. “Collins?”

“Yes, Princess?”

“You caught me, so what are you going to do with me?”

Fuck you into next week… “Do you trust me?”

Penny’s eyes find mine. “Yes.” She looks confused but compliant.

I’ll take it.

I kiss her on the forehead. “I’m not going to be gentle at times. You tell me if it becomes too intense or if something is scary. We can talk about it and adjust the pressure to make sure you have a fulfilling experience.”

Her nerves are present in how she is biting at her bottom lip and rubbing her ankles against one another.

“Okay…”

“I’m going to fuck you withmypleasure in mind, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it too.”

Before Penny has time to overthink, I lift her up with my arm under her knees and an arm at her back, cradling her to me.

Walking into the bedroom, I voice command some soft piano music to broadcast through the sound system.

Laying her on the bed, I adjust her location to be in the center.

I then crawl over her to hit a button on the headboard that releases two cords from a secret compartment, as well as two leather cuffs.

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