Page 57 of Irish Reign

For just a moment, my concentration is shredded by a gut-punching memory of what we did Saturday night, after our happy-family evening watching fireworks from the back porch, as Ardmore celebrated our country’s independence.

Braiden trails his cat o’ nine tails across my belly… I strain against the leather cuffs keeping me spread-eagled on the bed… A pleading growl rises in my throat…

My cheeks flush as I force away the image. Pressing my thighs together, I concentrate on what I need now. Of course Braiden feels my motion, and he forces more of his weight onto me. My hips turn traitor and rock toward him, needy and desperate, even through my tailored suit.

Braiden’s lips find the exposed line of my jaw. The tip of his tongue ignites my jugular.

I take a deep breath. “I don’t know how long I have before they take my license. I have to go to work today. I need to be at the freeport.”

“For Russo,” Braiden says, like he’s biting into a bar of soap.

“Forus.”

“I don’t trust him,” Braiden says.

I cut off a dismayed laugh. “I don’t trust him either. But you agreed… This is what we have to do.”

He shakes his head. “That was before I spent every day last week imagining everything that can go wrong.”

“Nothing will go wrong. Between Liam and freeport security… I’m safe.”

Braiden stares at me for so long I think I’ve lost. He cares more about controlling me than he does about getting vengeance against Russo.

But then he crushes his mouth against mine. His tongue demands entrance as his fingers tangle in my hair. He’s taking, drinking, consuming me like he’s a starving man and I’m a feast.

When we have to breathe, when we’re both gasping like frantic animals, his teeth close on my lip, sharp enough to make me moan. He tightens the bite for just a heartbeat, and then he backs off, touching his forehead to mine.

“Wear your collar when you meet with him,” he says.

Shock stiffens my body. This time it’s my turn to say, “No.”

“Just today,” he says, his thumb tracing my swollen lips.

“I can’t.”

“You won’t.”

“You’ve always said it was only in our bedroom.”

“Yousaid that.Isaid you’d get no argument from me if you want to wear it elsewhere. So wear it today. When you’re with Russo.”

It’s the symbol of my submission. The outward expression that Braiden controls me. That I belong to him, and him alone.

Swallowing hard, I imagine the weight of the emerald against my throat. I want to please Braiden. I love him. I want him to be happy.

But he’s asking the impossible.

I speak slowly. “The freeport is business. Not—” I shrug, gesturing helplessly between us. “This.”

He backs away, and the air in the foyer is suddenly so cold I have to clench my jaw to keep my teeth from chattering. “Go,” he says.

I clutch his arm, trying to make things right. We both stare at my fingers. At the gold band he gave me when we married. “I’ll wear the collar tonight,” I say.

He shakes his head.

“I promise,” I say.

He moves toward the center of the foyer.

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