Page 60 of Reveal Me
He’s only voicing what I’ve spent the last few days thinking. His feet slow to a stop outside a room I’ve never been in before—the room with the Saint Andrew’s Cross.
‘He’s waiting for you.’ He motions for me to enter. ‘I told you before, I think he’s been waiting a long time for you.’
I pause, staring at Dominic for a beat. ‘I was searching for him too. The trouble is, now I’ve found him, I’m not sure what I’m going to do about it.’
‘You don’t have to decide tonight, but unless you want lords to start turning up in body bags, I suggest you keep a low profile outside of here.’
His words should terrify me. They don’t.
I push inside with my heart hammering in my chest.
Sean stands rigid backed beside the Saint Andrew’s Cross. He’s dressed entirely in black tonight; a black shirt sculpts his muscular torso. The dramatic lighting casts shadows across his shoulders, making him appear larger. More intimidating.
He doesn’t turn when I enter. Doesn’t acknowledge my presence at all.
The cross looms between us like a monument. My chest is tight with terror.
‘Close the door, Your Highness.’ So we’re back to this again. Two can play this game.
‘Yes, sir.’ The soft click echoes in the vast chamber. He sucks in a ragged breath, but still, he doesn’t turn.
‘Strip.’ The single word hits like a physical blow. No greeting. No champagne. No ‘how’s your week?’ Just a command—probably like he gave to every other submissive he ever had. The thought makes my stomach sick.
Is that how he felt seeing me with Caspian the other night? Probably.
My hands shake as I reach for my zip. I’ll do whatever he asks of me, because it’s the only way I can show him I’m his.
The dress pools at my feet. I leave on the lingerie.Goosebumps rise across my skin. Still, he doesn’t look at me. I untie the silk strings and place the mask on top of my dress.
As I near the cross, Sean finally turns. The impact of his attention nearly brings me to my knees. His dark eyes rake over me, burning with something beyond possession. There’s pain there. Raw and unfiltered. Mixed with hunger that takes my breath away.
This isn’t just about the other night. This is about everything we can’t say. Can’t have. Everything that’s been building between us since I first crawled across his floor.
He prowls towards me, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt like he means business. Veins pump furiously on his tanned forearms, the only indication his heart is working as hard as mine.
‘Face the cross. Arms up.’
I press against the smooth ebony. The wood is cool against my heated skin. Sean’s presence behind me overwhelms me. Heat radiates from his body. Subtle notes of cologne combined with his natural raw masculinity. When his hands touch my wrists, his fingers linger a moment longer than necessary. Electricity sparks between us. Every nerve ending in my body stands to attention.
Kat’s wrong. She has to be. Because I can’t imagine this intensity between us ever fading.
‘You know why you’re here.’ His breath ghosts my ear.
‘Because you want to punish me. You’re disappointed in me.’
‘No. I’m not disappointed in you. I’m disappointed in the situation.’ His lips brush my shoulder. So light I might have imagined it. ‘You’re here because I need to claim you. I need to at least try to keep up the pretence that I’m in control here, because it’s becoming painfully clear that whenever you’re near me, I’m anything but.’
‘Why is control so important to you?’ What is it that makes this beautiful man so sure he’s broken?
He’s quiet for so long, that I’m not sure he’s even going to answer, but then his voice comes, rougher than I’ve ever heard it. ‘I told you about my original sub–the woman who introduced me to this life.’
‘Yes.’
Tension radiates from his body. ‘It wasn’t just the fact she was unfaithful, it was the fact that I was naïve enough not to see it. My life was completely out of my own control, and I hated it. Hated how much she hurt me. How much I let her. In the confines of this club, bound by a contract, I know exactly where I stand. There are no games–well apart from the ones we opt to play together. There are no lies. No expectations from either party. And no surprises that can destroy me. Well…’ he pauses for a long beat. ‘Until you. You’re the biggest surprise of my life.’
‘I’m taking it as you don’t like surprises?’
‘Not when they’re bound to end in pain.’
