“If I don’t like what happens, I promise I’ll stop you. But if I like what you do,”—even in the moonlight, he could see her blush—“you will promise to give our relationship a chance.”
God help him, her words had an unravelling effect. By now, she ought to have fainted, screamed, or run off. Instead, she’d plucked his deepest desires from his chest and presented them to him, tied up in ribbons of courage and innocence.
Innocence is the operative word. She has no idea what she’s in store for.
“You’ll get no promise from me,” he bit out. “It’s over between us, Thea. It should have never started. Now do you want to leave first or shall I?”
Her bottom lip quivered. He thought she would turn and flee then, but she remained rooted there, her blasted belt held out like an offering to the Gods. He felt like the veriest bastard—but he’d only be more of a bastard if he stayed. He turned to leave.
“Coward.” The accusation echoed like a slap.
He pivoted to face her. “What did you say?”
“You heard me.” Her face was flushed, her bosom heaving.
Anger roiled with lust, the tempest battering at his wall of control.
“I’ve killed men for less than that,” he said evenly.
“I’m not afraid of you.” Though her voice trembled, there was no mistaking the disdain. “There’s only one weakling in this room, and that’s you.”
“I’m no bloody weakling,” he growled.
“You’re not protecting me; you’re protecting yourself. You’re terrified of taking a risk.” She crossed her arms. “Of seeing where this relationship could go.”
He knew where it was going: straight to hell. But it didn’t matter. His vision was already darkening, the beast rearing inside. She wanted proof of what he was? Of how disgusting and degenerate he could be? By God, she was going to get it.
He snatched the length of flannel from her. Hefting the soft weight in his palm, he saw her lips tremble, yet her small chin was set, her expression determined.
“You’re certain this is what you want?” he said with lethal softness.
“Yes.” The fire in her eyes made him hotter than Hades. “It’s the only way for us to see if we’re meant to be together.”
We’re not, he wanted to snarl.Why do you keep rubbing my sodding nose in what can’t be?
But there was no fighting this; she’d pushed him too far. There was only one way out, and that was to show her what he was. To force her to recognize the truth: she was too innocent, too good for the likes of him. He circled her slowly, the crackling awareness between them feeding his dark hunger. When he faced her once again, he took her chin between finger and thumb.
“Remove your robe. Let it fall to the ground,” he said.
Her wide-eyed gaze shimmered into his. A moment later, she shrugged off the flannel, the soft folds crumpling at her feet. The beribboned white nightgown she wore beneath was even more prim than the layer she’d shed. His pulse raced as he imagined what lay beneath the shapeless, billowing fabric.
But he didn’t have to imagine.
“Take that off too,” he said.
Her eyelashes flickered, her eyes swirling with a myriad of emotions. Disgust? Fear and regret that she’d started this?
Leave me, he thought in an agony of desire.While you still can.
Her fingers fumbled with the tiny pearl buttons on the front placket. In a swift, decisive motion, she pulled the garment over her head and let it, too, fall to the ground.
Devil and damn.His breath lodged in his throat. She was so lovely that it hurt to look at her. Alabaster skin, curves subtle and sweet. Delicate down to her very bones. He reached out and took a tress of her hair, caressing the silk against her right nipple. He heard her soft intake of breath, watched with dark satisfaction as the coral peak stiffened into a tight point.
He moved behind her. Stretching the belt she’d given him between his hands, he placed the wide fabric over her eyes.
“Gabriel, what are you…?”
“Not a word—unless it’s ‘no.’” He wound it twice and then secured the blindfold with a knot. “Say no, and I’ll stop. Say no, and we’ll put this madness behind us.”
