Page 28 of Illicit Heir

I fight through my haze to closely watch her, ensuring I don't go past a point I shouldn't. When she gasps, I wait another moment, then force myself to reduce my grip so she can get air.

She takes several short breaths.

I give her a moment, then ask, "Ya good?"

She nods.

I kiss her, slowly lift my body, and roll onto my back. I stare at the ceiling, trying to regulate my own breaths. When I'm almost normal, I turn my head toward her.

She's twisting her fingers and biting her lip, glancing away from me.

She's too fucking adorable.

I slide my arm under her body and tug her into me.

She yelps.

I chuckle, then drag my knuckles over her cheek, teasing, "Why do ya look nervous all of a sudden?"

"I'm not," she claims.

"No?" I arch my eyebrows.

Her confident expression returns. She adamantly states, "No."

I study her for a moment.

"Why are ya looking at me like that?" she questions.

"Ya appeared a bit confused."

"When?"

"Before ya asked me to choke ya."

Her cheeks return to crimson.

"Ya don't have to be embarrassed about it," I assure her.

"No?"

"No."

Silence fills the air.

I add, "Ya don't understand why ya like it, do ya?"

She slowly licks her lips, then shakes her head.

I tug her closer to me and kiss her forehead. "Ya don't have to understand it. Just don't let any bloke do it to ya. If they don't know what they're doing, they'll kill ya. I would hate to see a pretty lass like yourself end up in a grave."

"I already learned that lesson," she blurts out.

I freeze, then tilt her chin so she can't ignore me. I question, "Another bloke has choked ya before?"

Disgust fills her expression. She doesn't answer.

Anger fills me. "Aye. I see. I take it that it was a bad experience?"

---