Page 100 of Vicious Deception

My eyes slide shut, and I shake my head. I justcan’t.

“O,” Rhett says softly, “what did he do to you?”

“I don’t want to talk about it. Can you just . . . ask Ell?”

A shadow crosses over Rhett’s face before he takes my hand in both of his. “Yeah, of course.”

It’s probably unfair of me to put the burden of explaining on Elliot. It was painful for him, too, but I know he’ll do it for me. Maybe taking it off my shoulders will ease some of the guilt I know he’s feeling, too.

“I just want to forget,” I whisper.

Silently, he tugs on my hand and leads me upstairs. Just as we get to Rhett’s room, Wren’s door opens, and Elliot steps out.

“Hey. How’s she doing?” I ask.

“All right. She hasn’t fallen asleep yet, but she’s getting there. I’ve been reading to her, and I think it’s helping.”

Rhett leans against his doorframe. “You two need anything?”

“Water, but I’ve got it.”

Nodding, Rhett says, “I told the boys to find you if they need something.”

“Good to know.” Elliot’s eyes travel from Rhett to me. “Maybe just try to keep it down? I don’t think turning Wren on right now would be a good idea.”

“Absolutely.” Rhett nudges me toward his room. “We can be quiet.”

“Thanks.” Elliot turns to head down the hallway, but then he pauses. That haunted look returns to his eyes, and he reaches out and brushes his fingers down my arm. He doesn’t say anything, but he doesn’t have to. I know what he means.

In Rhett’s room, he shuts the door behind us.

“Are you seducing me?” I ask, feeling his gaze boring into me from behind.

“I’m reminding you who you belong to,” he replies, gripping the back of my neck and guiding me toward the bed. “And that no one is ever taking you from me again.”

Desire spreads through my body, lazy and warm. Once we’re in front of the bed, Rhett’s hand glides down my spine, coming to rest at the small of my back. His lips brush against the side of my neck, his warm breath skating across my skin and making me shiver.

“Do you want that?” he murmurs lowly in my ear.

Wantisn’t a strong enough word to describe the way I feel. I don’t think thereisa word with a meaning that fully encapsulates it.

“Yes,” I whisper.

“Don’t move.”

I stand perfectly still, feeling the loss of Rhett’s body heat behind me. He goes through one of his drawers until I hear him pull a few things out.

“Close your eyes,” he tells me.

Without hesitation, I do so. I can hear him moving and feel his breath on my skin again. His fingers brush against my hips before he lifts my shirt over my head and lets it drop to the floor.

Next, there’s the familiar feeling of cool leather against my neck. Rhett doesn’t pull out the collar very often, but it always helps me relax. There’s a certain sense of security that comes with wearing it—a type of freedom in knowing that I don’t have to think when it’s on. As Rhett fastens it, I smile. I’ll never stop being grateful that I found three people who understand me and want to give me what I need.

Rhett chuckles, pulling his hands away. “Do you have any idea what you just did?”

“What? No.” I almost open my eyes but stop myself just in time.

“You completely relaxed. Pretty sure your shoulders dropped a whole inch. Maybe even two.”

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