Page 229 of Those Who Are Bound

Jonah angrily approached her. “I’ve heard every word out of your pretty little mouth, Elliott,” he hissed. Reaching for his collar, he started unbuttoning his shirt. “Naked, right?”

“Getting angry makes you weaker.”

He got in her face, nose to nose, expression thunderous. “I’m not one of your fuck boys. You’re going to see me angry. And the last impression you’ll be left with isweak.”

He was right. His anger had an energy to it that was exciting. And whether or not he meant to challenge her and the demon inside, he was.

She chuckled. “Don’t think you can try an exorcism; it won’t work.”

“I’m not Catholic. And I don’t believe in demons. If you’re going to own who you are, then own all of it, and don’t blame it on a demon or a monster. Your sexuality is yours.Own it.”

“Do you think I want to be this way?”

“Yes.” And he moved back, ripping his shirt off and tossing it aside.

Elliott was only momentarily distracted by his bare chest. Her beautiful man, angry and stripping for her. She reminded him, “I want to ruin you. I want you to relinquish everything you hold dear for me and risk you hating me for it. And you think I want to be this way?”

“You can’t ruin me if I don’t consent to it.”

She jerked her chin up. “You’re awfully confident.”

He scoffed. “Do you think the location breaks me? This istheater.” He swung his arm to indicate the space they occupied. “You pointed it out. I can fuck you, I can love you, anywhere. God sees me everywhere. This place isn’t sacred because it hasn’t been defiled; it’s sacred because of what I believe. I could be in a damn McDonald’s. My faith holds. So watch me as I take off my clothes. And you’ll get fucked right here.”

Elliott’s heart tripped over his words, wondering if he realized all he was saying as he ranted.Love her? But she shoved it aside as she watched him reach for his jeans; toeing off his tennis shoes at the same time. “Are you trying to call my bluff? Do you think you’re shockingme?”

“What was it you said? You’re stronger? Don’t challenge me; don’t challenge my faith. It’s not a competition. You get every piece of me you want.”

“Not every piece. You’re responsible tothemfirst.” She indicated the empty seats.

“They only get what you don’t want, the parts of me you’ve deemed useless.”

“There’s no part of you that I see as useless.” She clarified, “Your beliefs are useless, not you. You’re as yoked to them as I am to my—” She stopped, realizing what she was about to say; confess.Her guilt.

Jonah challenged, “As you are to what?”

Ignoring the slight taunt in his voice, Elliott watched his final disrobing. He stood before her gloriously nude, not a hint of shame or reservation. Of course, her wolf would not mind being naked; it was a form that was natural to him.

But here? In front of his maker? She was impressed by his nonchalance.

“Where do you want to do this?” he asked.

And though it sounded like acquiescence, there was a defiant smolder occurring; voice, expression. He was going to obey to prove a point.

Not a competition, her ass.

Elliott gestured with her thumb over her shoulder. “Up there, of course.”

He prowled up to her. She stiffened, holding her ground. But all he did was grasp her face between his hands and say, “I’m here, as you wanted me. Where is this demon of yours?”

Didn’t he realize? He was looking at her. He was standing naked in his church for her, ready to do whatever she wanted him to do. But she answered, “Patience is a virtue.”

His eye twitched.

“What?” she taunted. “Isn’t that one of yours? I thought it would give you comfort.”

“Proving you wrong will give me comfort.” He released her. Instead of walking to the side, where the steps were located, he braced an arm on the ledge and vaulted up onto the stage.

Wolf.

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