“You’re scaring me.”
He gripped my chin. He still looked pissed but his touch was gentle. “Good. Maybe then you’ll understand.”
“Understand what?” I pushed his hand away. “You make me do all these things for me, and you can’t even say what I am to you? A lover…a friend…a hot piece of ass? Just tell me where I stand!”
Cole’s chest rose and fell like he’d just run a mile. “I can’t.”
“Why not? Isn’t it enough that I obey you? That I want to be with you? I know you’re waiting for someone special—I just want it to be me!”
“Don’t you get it? It is you.”
“What?” I dropped to the couch like my legs had been cut out from under me.
“It’s always been you.”
“Then why?—”
“I had to be sure.” He rubbed his hand over his head. “I wanted you to be sure. I don’t just want sex with you, Regina. I want it all.”
I shook my head, not understanding.
“I want this.” He waved his hand at my outfit. “I like spanking you. And controlling you. And overpowering you. I’m not normal, Regina. I never have been. I look at you, this beautiful woman, and I want to control you. I don’t want to settle down and treat you like a queen. I mean, I do, but here, and in the bedroom, I want to spank your ass raw and have you serve me on your knees. And I want to do more. I like having you as my slave. I need it.”
I studied his tense face. “Is that it?”
“I needed to know you could handle it.”
“Let me get this straight.” I stood up, but I was shorter than him. Climbing on the couch, I looked him in the eye. Standing on the furniture was probably against the rules, but Cole didn’t comment. “You’ve wanted me all this time. You just wanted to be sure I was sure.”
“Yes.”
“All of this has been a test?”
“I have these urges,” he said. “You need to understand what I am.”
“What are you, Cole?”
He pressed his lips together.
“You’re not a freak,” I reassured him. “You’re a dominant. You like control. Guess what, Cole?” I indicated my outfit. “I’m okay with it.”
“I have this darkness inside me...”
I cupped the side of his face. “I love your darkness.”
He leaned into my palm, his eyes fluttering closed. His long lashes lay against his fine, flawless skin. His beauty was so unreal, it amazed me that I could touch it.
I bent my head to his. “Let me be your dream girl,” I whispered. “I’ll do whatever you want. I want to be your fantasy.”
Please, please, let it be me, I pleaded silently. I held my breath like a prayer as his hand came up and clasped the back of my neck. His touch remained gentle, but he tightened his fingers slightly to hold my forehead against his.
“I can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching you,” he said. “I know I’m crazy but…I’m crazy about you. If I take you, I’m never letting you go.” He opened his eyes. The honesty there hit me like a blow. “You agree to be with me, and then get mad and try to leave, I’ll hunt you down. If anyone tried to take you from me, I’ll hurt him. Does that scare you?”
“No.” Wrapping my hand around his neck, I took a deep breath, and told the truth. “Cole, I’ve always belonged to you. Always.”
He kissed me, and then his hands were everywhere, touching me, claiming me. His hands went under my bottom, lifting me from the couch and setting me down to my feet. His kisses were ferocious, and I gave as good as I got.
He pulled at my top and I heard it tear. I struggled out of it, ripping it further. We kissed like we were dying, and the touch of the other’s lips held the cure.
