Naked. Open. Trembling with need for him to mess her up and fuck her until she had nothing left to give.
Griping her hips to yank her up high, he pushed his dick inside her in one swift motion.
A gasp escaped her swollen lips. Her fingers wrapped around the ropes, holding tight.
“Hang on, sweetness.”
Theo took her hard, driving his cock deep, until it was buried to the hilt in her wet, clinging flesh. He slid easily in and out, making sure to scrape against her clit, using the slick oil to make the motions more intense. And then she was squeezing his cock and coming around him. He watched with satisfaction as she rode out her orgasm, and then he let himself go. His balls tightened and he came hard, hips jerking, the brutal pleasure shocking his body.
Finally, he collapsed on top of her. Her spread legs cradled him, their juices sticky and warm over her body. He untied the ropes, rubbing her arms and fingers to make sure she hadn’t gone numb. When he finished, Hailey turned into his arms as if she belonged there. Her fingers buried into his hair. He closed his eyes halfway, realizing this game was more dangerous than he’d ever intended.
Theo savored the moment. She’d given everything he dreamed of.
It had only been to the wrong person.
The bell rang.
He lifted his head. Their gazes locked. A question burned between them, unanswered, unspoken. His chest hurt as he rose from the bed and watched her get dressed, then slipped on his cloak. Seconds slipped by but he made no other move toward her. It was too much. Theo was afraid she’d know the truth if he spoke, and then both their fantasies would be over.
He wasn’t ready to let her go yet.
Maybe she’d admit the same. Maybe she sensed it was him behind the mask. Maybe she was ready to walk into the daytime with him by her side, no longer needing a made-up Phantom to make her feel wanted.
Hailey turned and ducked her head. Her voice was husky when she finally spoke.
“Good night, Phantom.”
His heart shattered. He embraced the ice forming inside him, his mouth tightening in a firm line as he stared back at her.
“Good night.”
She waited. One moment. Two.
Then left.
Something had changed.
As she rode the ferry home, Hailey shivered in the wind, even though it was another balmy evening. When Ciro released the ropes, fierce waves of protective need rose inside her, and she’d only wanted to hold him. This strong, sexy billionaire had exuded a vulnerability that shook her.
Somehow, a connection had been formed that went beyond the physical. He reached a part of her that she’d locked up for years, but her surrender didn’t make her feel weak.
Instead, a powerful strength in her newfound sexuality pounded in her veins. Though she’d been tied up and helpless, her Phantom made her surrender seem sexy.
Hailey had no idea sex could be like that. The previous assault pushed her to distrust her instincts. Tonight, she’d been a free, confident woman who held no shame demanding pleasure.
Even as her cheeks heated from the memory, a smile curved her lips.
Within these past hours, she’d reclaimed a precious gift.
Her sexual freedom.
Throughout their encounter, even though she was the one who was supposed to give everything, she never felt alone. Messy emotions stirred like a kicked wasp nest. Why did this simple arrangement seem to be more than what either of them had agreed?
Because this felt so much bigger than just sex.
It was something more like love.
The ferry docked. She made her way back to the hotel, thinking of what tomorrow would bring.
