Page 39 of Cheaters: A Dark Romance Anthology

“Jenica.” A hint of a command underlined his tone, stilling me. I’d been in the process of trying to shove him away from me, my mind seeming to have lost complete control of my body.

“I don’t even recognize you right now,” he’d said.

Yeah. Well. I didn’t recognize myself either.

I was confused.

Lost.

Content one minute and wandering the next.

“What did you do to me?” I demanded, my voice borderline hysterical. “You… you…”

“Broke your trust,” he interjected, making me freeze once more. “I’m sorry, Jenica. I didn’t realize… but I should have realized. Fuck, it all makes so much sense now.”

I hung on his every word, my mind solely focused on his deep voice. “Didn’t realize what?”

“That you weren’t faking it.” His forehead touched mine. “I thought you were playing along, Jenica. But I should have realized where your mind had gone. You were submitting and relying on me to take care of you, and I failed you.”

I blinked. “What?” Is that what I’d been doing? When I’d felt safe? Giving up control to him? Had I been submitting? My lips parted, understanding taking root inside my mind.

Was this why I’d never been able to find what I’d needed from my previous boyfriends?

I’d thought it was because of Pierce. And maybe it had been. His dominance and presence had always called to me, making me want to follow him around and beg him for attention.

But I’d never been good enough.

No, that wasn’t right. I’d never been old enough.

Yet he’d spoken to me tonight in a voice that I longed to hear again. He’d stroked my hair, calming me inside, and protected me from discovery.

It had made me feel safe.

Cherished.

Warm.

Until he’d taken it all away by telling me to leave. By reminding me of who I was to him. Jax’s—

“Jenica.” My name on Pierce’s lips pulled me back to him. “Have you ever submitted to a Dom before?”

My brow furrowed. What is he asking? No, why is he asking me this? To chastise me? Take on the brother role and try to tell me never to grow up?

“Communication, sweetheart. It’s important. I need to know how experienced you are.”

“Why?” I whispered, wary.

“Because I’m going to give you what you need. But I need to know if you’ve ever done this before. I can guess, but there is no room for guesswork during a scene.”

“S-scene?” I repeated, not understanding him at all. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m talking about dominating you.” His fingers clasped my chin, pulling my gaze up to his. “I broke your trust once, and I won’t do it again. Now, I need to know if you’ve ever done this before.”

Chapter Ten

PIERCE

I already knew the answer—she had no experience with this lifestyle.

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