“Release me.” Her chest heaved, and the breath whistled through her teeth. “Right now, or you’re going to be sorry.”
“Am I, now?” The robe slid from his shoulders, and an eyebrow quirked. “Do tell.”
Her eyes fixed on his fingers, and he finished unbuttoning his shirt. She wet her lips.
Once he shrugged the clothing away, lean, defined muscles were revealed by lightning flashes from the window. He followed the path of her gaze. Across his chest, five diagonal scars, about two inches wide, rippled and puckered the flesh. They were the same color as the one above his lip, but these were jagged, thicker, and angrier.
Having her eyes on him made him feel more exposed than when he received the disfigurements.
He clenched his jaw and steeled himself to meet her gaze.
She would be disgusted at the sight, but it was too late now. Like a fool, he’d removed the blindfold, and now he’d see the pity and horror on her face.
His eyes met hers, and a thunder bolt shot through the night.
She didn’t flinch. Instead of sorrow or loathing, her gaze hooded, and she licked her lips.
He stood there, next to the bed, in amazement and tried to process his emotions.
His heart hammered inside his rib cage, and his palms grew sweaty.
Is she really accepting me as I am?
“Fin.” Her soft, sweet voice stopped his thoughts. “I don’t care about your scars. At least, not in the way you think.” Her shoulder lifted, even though the arm was chained to the bed. She pointed her chin in his direction. “They’re part of you and show how strong and resilient you are.”
A chill rushed across the back of his neck, sending the hairs on his arms to stand straight. No one had ever mentioned the old wounds as strong or appealing before.
“May I?” The tips of her fingers fluttered, and he stepped to the head of the bed.
He bent toward her bound hands and hesitated.Can I endure this? What if she turns away with revulsion?
“It’s okay.” Her brown eyes searched his face, intense in their scrutiny. A wide smile blasted him like a ray of sunshine. “You can trust me, you know.”
Letting out a shaky breath, he leaned forward.
Her fingernails scraped across the skin. The touch was like butterfly wings beating against his heart, demanding entry.
Shuddering, he stepped back to break the contact and collect his thoughts.
A crooked smile curved her lips, as if she’d won a battle.
Clearing his throat, he draped the chain over his head to its accustomed place around his neck.
Leaning near her face, he watched her chocolate gaze snap to his.
“Uncuff me.” She tugged at the restraints.
“Oh, my little rat.” A forefinger traced her cheekbone. “Whatever should I do with you? Don’t you know it’s rude to steal from your host?”
The smile disappeared. “I didn’t steal your stupid jewelry.” Her voice was low, almost petulant. “Ifoundit.”
Smooth, warm skin teased him, and he wanted her naked and writhing under his body.
“Yet, you didn’t return it.” He trailed the tip of a finger along her jaw and pushed a lock of curly hair from her forehead.
She swallowed. Anger and lust warred across her face, and he knew he had her.
Moving his hands across the wrinkled sheets, he located the blindfold and held it between both hands so she could see.
