Page 15 of Room Twenty-Seven: Theirs to Punish

“Try explaining it.”

Instead of telling him the real reason, I change the subject with an offer. “I want to make a new deal.”

Niklas straightens up. “Let’s hear it.”

“I’ll come with you now. I’ll sign a new contract agreeing to let you, Bane, and Luke do whatever you want. One night. You can live out all your fantasies. Let it all out.”

“One night won’t be enough for that.”

“It will have to be.” That’s all I can give him. “I won’t say no, and I won’t complain. I won’t use my safe word.”

“And in exchange?”

“We’re even.”

He scoffs. “Even?”

“Yes, even. You say you don’t hate me, and I believe it, but you hate something. Maybe the past. You hate what happened, and you have every right to. But if we do this, you have to promise to let it go. I don’t mean forgive me or forget about it. I just want you to let go of the anger.”

I want him to look at me like he used to, even if it’s only one last time.

“Alright.” He holds out his hand for me. I stare at it for a few seconds, remembering how often I had wished to make things right with him. This could be my chance. I just don’t know if I’m strong enough to handle the aftermath.

I have to be.

With trembling fingers, I take his hand. He squeezes mine softly before tugging me toward him. His free arm wraps around my torso, pulling me into him until I’m pressed flush against his body.

Everything happens so fast that I don’t have time to act or even think. He presses his lips onto mine in a searing kiss, and everything around us stops. My mind goes blank as feelings I’ve never known to exist arise.

Suddenly, I’m more aware of my body than ever before. His hardened length presses against my pelvis, and his hands run over my hips as he devours my mouth. His kiss is urgent and passionate like it might be the only one he’ll ever get.

I melt into his touch, letting all thoughts, worries, and fears vanish into darkness. I grab his clothes, holding him in place as long as I can. I don’t want this moment to be over. I wish we could stay like this forever.

When Niklas breaks the kiss, I suck in a deep breath and blood rushes back to my brain. Looking up at him in shock, I wait for an explanation. Why the hell did he do that?

“What? You don’t seal your deals with a kiss?” he asks like I’m the weird one.

“Not usually, and I doubt you kiss every person you cut a deal with.” Especially not like this. “Don’t you run a company?”

“Maybe I do?” he jokes with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Something I have missed greatly.

For the first time since yesterday, I feel like I can actually go through with this. It’s not a lot, but it’s there. I’m finally seeing the old Niklas again, the one I fell in love with.

“I’m ready to head back now,” I announce.

Niklas jumps into action right away. Never letting go of my hand, he leads me back to the club at a speedy pace.

“My legs aren't as long as yours,” I complain when he walks so fast that I can barely keep up.

“Sorry,” he mumbles while slowing his step.

The rest of the way, neither one of us says anything else. Not until we are a few feet away from the Club Sin entrance. The closer we get, the more my doubts grow, and the sliver of confidence I had a moment ago fades away.

My whole body stiffens, my legs begging me to stop walking. Even though I’m fighting it, Niklas notices right away.

He pauses with a deep sigh. “Why are you so nervous? You have a safe word, and you saw yesterday what happens if you use it. One word out of your mouth, and everything will stop. You have all the power here, Lillian.”

“It doesn't feel like it… I’m still going through with the arrangement. I just can’t help but be nervous.”

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