Page 13 of Claim

Darkness engulfed me, and my senses fired to life. The room’s scent became more intense, the coolness of the air prickled my skin, the way the cushioning on the table pressed against my thighs felt more pronounced, and the heady energy pulsing from the man standing before me gave me the sensation of light-headedness.

“Let yourself fall into it,” Damon coached. “Trust that I have you.”

My skin tingled, and deep in my slick pussy the aching need grew. My heartbeat accelerated, drumming in an erratic rhythm.

Trust, he said. Trust. How could I trust him when I only truly relied on myself?

A tremor shook my body, and a pang of fear settled inside me.

This was too fast, too soon.

“What is happening to me?” I reach out, needing to grasp onto something.

Damon captured my wrists, setting them on his chest. “Breathe. Do you ever release control, Only Sophia?”

I fisted his shirt as a sense of calm settled over me. His heat seeped into my fingers, and the pressure of his hands on me soothed the jagged edges that constantly reminded me I had to protect myself.

Finally, when my emotions settled, I answered, “No. People take advantage if you do. Trust isn’t something I can afford to give anyone.”

“For tonight, give it to me. I promise you won’t regret it.”

I believed him. Why? I couldn’t explain it.

I just knew that I felt safe at this moment to relinquish the tight hold I kept on myself.

And the fact he’d centered me, given me comfort, and remained patient when I panicked told me I could trust him.

Well, for this moment, at least.

Taking a centering breath, I said, “Tonight, only.”

CHAPTER FIVE

Damon

“Breathe,” I coaxed, staring down at Sophia’s flushed face.

“I’m trying. This is all new to me.”

The area covering her eyes showed a small patch of dampness, revealing that she’d shed a few tears.

I fucking loved tears.

This vulnerability called to me better than any siren song.

Was this woman as innocent as she seemed, or was it all part of the shield she wore?

My gut warned that the true her sat before me now, and the impostor was the one she showed the world.

So pure, so unsure, so ready to explore. She had no clue who she was.

The thought of corrupting her, molding her to my wants and desires, pulled at that deep seeded need I’d locked away.

But only an idiot would walk away from introducing her to the world of kink.

Later, I’d pay the consequences of touching Lucian’s sister. But, right now, the draw to her was too intense to deny.

I cupped her flushed face, running my thumb along the skin exposed under her mask.

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