Searching his eyes, I looked for any sign of duplicity.In the frenzy of fleeing to freedom, it hadn’t even occurred to me that he might have been lying, but standing there in the cold breeze, I abruptly realized that might have been the case.
“I might have fudged the truth on that point.”He cringed, clearly loathing the admission.
“What?”I snapped, conscious of how fast my heart was beating again.“Why did you lie, Sir?What did Armitage really say?”
“He wanted a specialist in London to have another look at my brain.”His eyes fluttered closed.“But that’s not going to be an option now, so...I didn’t want to worry you, Caroline.”
“So, you told me what I wanted to hear.”I wasn’t surprised, but the fact that he hadn’t told me the truth was crushing, like a weight against my chest preventing me from getting enough air.
“I shouldn’t have lied.”His hand fell to my shoulder.“I’m sorry, little girl.I just want what’s best for us.”
“Okay.”Struggling to articulate the confusing combination of emotions I was feeling, I lifted my hand to grasp his fingers.“I get it, and I’m grateful you feel that way, but please, Sir.I always want the truth.Even when it’s difficult to hear.”
“Understood.”His hand rose, bringing my digits to his lips, which he brushed over my fingers.“From now on, you’ll always have the truth.”
“Thank you.”
We stood there in silence for a long moment, staring into each other’s eyes until a droll idea popped into my mind.
“What?”he probed, seemingly noticing the change in me.“I’ve seen that look on your face before.”
“I was just thinking...when I kept Fern’s secret about fleeing from Fortorus, you punished me.So...”My lips curled as I wondered how long it would take him to follow my line of logic.“Does your lie mean I get to punish you?”
“Oh, no.”He laughed at my inference.“That’s not how this works, little girl.”
“It’s not?”I was having fun teasing him.“But why not, Sir?Fair’s fair, after all.”
“When did I ever say this would be fair?”His tone was knowing as he stepped closer and pressed himself against me.“I am sorry for the untruth, and I’ll make it up to you, but there’s only one master in this relationship.”
“Maybe there should be a mistress instead.”I was only toying with him.
After so many years of bland sex, I couldn’t even conceive shifting the sexy dynamic between us, but somehow, it was too good an opportunity not to press my luck.
“Don’t push it.”Hooking his finger under my jaw, he lifted my head so our gazes met as he whispered, “We both know who’s in charge here.”
“Yes, Sir.”I smiled, in spite of the threat laced in his tone.“I understand.”
“Good.”He breathed the word over me, his lips colliding with mine for the fleeting, sensual connection we both craved.“Now, unless you need to find a bush to relieve yourself, I suggest you get back in the truck and get as comfortable as you can.”
He was trying to reimpose the order between us, and despite my disappointment at his lie, I appreciated the gesture.After so many months of fear and stress, Harper’s scintillating structure had become the regulation my nervous system required to feel safe, and I had no desire to change that.Of course, I was worried about what the implications of Armitage’s call really were, but there was no benefit in dwelling on those.Once we were in Zurich and he had the things he wanted from the vault, hopefully, there would be an opportunity for him to see a specialist.Until then, his good health was only another outcome for me to pray for, especially since, on that occasion, I was the culpable one.
“What’s wrong?”He held out his hand before I had time to answer.“Need help getting up there?”
“No, thank you, Sir.”Placing my palms on the base of the truck, I yanked myself up to its level in yet another ungainly display of female independence.“I was just wondering about something.”
“What’s that?”He pulled himself up alongside me with infuriating ease before he came to stand beside me.
Peering up into those blue eyes I’d come to know so well, I bit back on my growing smile.
“Well.”I reached for his hand.“I was just considering what sort of spanking your lie warranted.
