Page 54 of Claim

“Do you know what it feels like to have your own mother believe you’re a pill-popping whore over asking if any of the rumors were true? Or even once, just questioning the validity of the reports? Her standing in society is all that matters to her, the lovers she thinks I don’t know about, and putting up with Dad’s abuse, so she keeps the lifestyle she adores so fucking much.”

The pain rose inside me as if it had waited for me to set it free.

“I was eighteen when that bastard cornered me. He’d made me ashamed and convinced me that I deserved it, especially after the fallout he’d created. What I wouldn’t have given to have one person tell me it wasn’t my fault, that what happened to me was the act of a predator. I wanted Alice to know someone would avenge her.” I stared at Damon’s stony face, which gave away none of his thoughts. “Until I met you, the last time I cried was when Dad told me at eighteen that he’d washed his hands of me with my antics. You love my tears. I fucking hate them.”

Damon cupped my cheek. “You aren’t weak for releasing your emotions. You’re strong and fierce. Seeing you let go is a gift.”

“Don’t say things like that. It confuses me.”

What I kept inside was the thought that it made me want things I knew he couldn’t give me.

“What are you confused about?”

“You make me feel things, and I refuse to become a woman dependent on any man.”

“You fear becoming your mother.”

“I refuse to become her.” I clenched my jaw. “Whatever this thing is between us, Damon Pierce. I’ll never let it take over my life. I’ll walk away the second I see it happening.”

“Then I guess we don’t have anything to worry about.”

“I guess we don’t.”

He leaned down and then kissed my forehead. I lifted my face to capture his lips, but he pulled back. The depth and hunger in his gaze ignited a throbbing deep in my pussy.

Even after all I’d confessed, all I’d revealed, all my mind told me I shouldn’t do, my body yearned for his touch. I’d grown addicted to him in a way I knew only led to disaster.

“Now I have three words for you.”

The press of his cock stayed a heady presence underneath me, making it hard to concentrate.

“Okay.”

“Go to bed.” He released me and helped me to stand.

A heavy lump formed in my stomach, and all the arousal from moments ago disappeared.

“I assume I will share the room with Lizzy?”

“Unless you’ve changed your mind about your status as a submissive.”

I shook my head. “No.”

He was drawing a line, wanting to know if I’d cross it, testing me. This man held a power over my body unlike anyone I’d encountered before, but I refused to let that rule me.

We stared at each other for a few seconds, and then he nodded. “You’re right. It’s better this way.”

So now he accepted my decision. For fuck’s sake.

“What made this sudden change of heart? Is it because I don’t bend to your will like the other women you’ve encountered?”

“It’s better for you to view things in that manner.” He smirked with a calculated gleam. “However, let me clear something up. If I will it, I can have you on your knees right now, ready to suck my cock.”

My core clenched with the thought of it, and I clenched my jaw.

“You think so?”

“I know so. Would you like to know why I’m not using this draw, as you call it, to change your mind?”

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