Page 14 of Untether

‘So I’m asking you.’ His hand slides up to encircle my wrist. He does it easily, and his grip feels solid. Safe. Even if it also feels a little presumptuous, in a way I shouldn’t like, but do. ‘What. Do. You. Want?’

9

AIDA

“The Tempter”

—Milton,Paradise Lost

Ilet my eyes flicker closed, because I can’t say these things to him while I’m looking at him, and because shutting off my sight focuses the mind.

And I inhale through my nose, steadying myself.

‘I want to make up for lost time,’ I begin.

His fingers flex reassuringly around my wrist, his warm skin a kind of security blanket. As if he’s drawn some magic circle around us in this dim club, declaring this little booth a safe space for confessions. In lieu of any spoken encouragement, his thumb strokes my pulse point.

‘My marriage was decent,’ I continue. ‘But it was pretty underwhelming in bed. Perfunctory, I suppose. And I had needs that weren’t being met, but I didn’t think about that too much, because my life was pretty full with work and the kids. And John was—we had a good relationship, you know?He’s a super smart, interesting guy. Very eloquent. He stimulated me intellectually. We were great buddies. So I wasn’t about to upset the apple cart over one missing piece of the pie.’

I open my eyes, weirdly surprised to see Callum’s dark gaze on me. He’s quieter, steadier, than I would’ve imagined him being. He strikes me as an energetic guy, someone who’s always in motion. Always talking. Joking. But not right now.

‘So, the marriage was fine, but it turns out John felt that missing piece too, and he did something about it. And I’m kind of impressed that he did, in an odd way. I just feel stupid that I never got the memo. He was having his cake and eating it, all over Westminster, it turns out. And I… wasn’t. I was putting up and shutting up, which isn’t my MO at all, usually.’

I chew on the inside of my gum for a second, then lick my lips. I need to say it, and I don’t even think I need to shut my eyes. Avert my gaze. Because Callum is my confessor right now. An unlikely one, sure, but a kind one, I think. The read I’ve gotten on him so far tells me he is.

‘I want to know what I’ve been missing,’ I tell him in my Aida Russell voice. The voice that tells its listeners I’m not messing around. ‘I’m forty-six, I’m still—I still have needs. I want to feel attractive and sexy, and not like damaged goods—not like I’m someone’s leftovers.’

‘Good,’ Callum says emphatically, his thumb still tracing those tiny veins over my pulse point. ‘And.’

It’s not a question.

I exhale. ‘I want someone to take me in hand and make me feel hot and fuck me into fucking oblivion. I want them to give me so many orgasms that I don’t know which way is up and I don’t care what day of the week it is because I’m sobrain-dead from too much sex, and it’s so good that it feels like nothing else at all matters.

‘I want this particular phase of my life to be marked by indulgence, and—anddebauchery, and filth. I’m in my sexual prime, and I don’t want to waste this window before I’m totally invisible.’

The most gorgeous grin has spread across Callum’s face as I’ve articulated that last part.

‘That’s my girl,’ he says. ‘I knew she was in there somewhere.’ He slides his hand up my bare forearm. I like this kind of arm seduction he’s got going on. It’s hot.

‘Yeah,’ I say softly, holding his gaze.

‘And let me tell you.’ He smooths his palm back down my arm. ‘You arenobody’sleftovers, and I’m going to give you every single orgasm you desire, okay? When I’ve finished with you, you’ll be so fucking ruined. Got it?’

I barely have time to flush at such an audacious promise, because he’s reminded me of something I have to say to him.

Something very, very important.

‘Hey.’ I clear my throat. ‘I appreciate that this is a kind of… chemistry meeting for us, I guess. But I want to be very clear. If this—if I’m not—if you’re not attracted to me, then we’ll find someone else. I refuse to be anyone’s pity-fuck. And I could never prevail on anyone to—’

‘Woah.’ He lets go of my arm and grabs both my hands, clasping them tightly. His face is so close to mine now in this busy bar. ‘Aida. Look at me. That’s it. Good girl.’

I swallow and force myself not to look away, though fuck knows this is excruciating. I focus on his mouth, because it’s easier and also because it makes for a very gratifying sight. I watch his sensual lips move.

‘I know you haven’t been made to feel desired in a while, and shame on your husband for that. But you need to knowthis. You’re beautiful. You’re a bloody icon, and you’re so ridiculously fuckable that, if this was Alchemy, I’d have you bent over this table in seconds. Okay?’

My eyes go wide, and I nod, because this is a little more of an extreme reaction than I bargained on.

‘The only thing you need to focus on tonight is whether you want me to do all those things to you—whether you want me to give you all those orgasms you need.’ His thumbs are brushing over the backs of my hands, and his voice is low and caressing and full of filthy promises.

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