"I am telling you this because you wanted to know about my appetites. For me, control is everything,"—his gaze shot to the rope—"and sex is no different."
She blinked.Um, that's your revelation?She might be a virgin, but she wasn't a fool. In the times they'd been together, Gavin had always been masterful. Dominant... and deliciously so. Her insides grew hot at the notion of what he might do with the objects beside her. She'd always known he wanted her surrender, but she hadn't yielded, not completely, because of the wager. And because she hadn't understood his need the way she did now.
Clarity struck her. He might call it control, but what he truly needed was... love. Someone to trust. She'd sensed his loneliness from the start, and it had drawn her, his intense need for whatshecould offer. Because she did have something to offer: her heart. In that instant, she knew beyond a doubt that she was fully and completely in love with Gavin Hunt.
"Shocked you into silence, have I? There's a first," he said in stark tones.
With a tremulous smile, she said, "Thank you for sharing this with me. For trusting me."
He stared at her. "You're… thanking me."
Hopping down from the bar, she crossed to him. Placed her palm against his hard jaw. "I have feelings for you, Gavin. I know how foolish it sounds coming on the heels of my infatuation with Portland; if I were you, I wouldn't believe me either. But there it is."
His hands closed roughly on her shoulders. "You have feelings... for me?"
Knowing his mistrust of love (and the fiasco with Portland did not help her case), she told herself to ease him into the idea with patience and tact. To try to explain herself in a way Gavin could understand. And believe.
"When I am with you, I feel truly myself—trulyfreeas I have never been before. You don't judge me or try to make me into someone I am not. And," she said, flushing yet determined to be as honest as possible, "I desire you. Being in your arms is the best place I've ever been."
"Percy." He sounded stunned.
"Wait, I'm not finished." She put a hand against his chest, his power thrumming beneath her palm. "It pains me beyond bearing to think of the hurt you must have endured. Yet your past has made you the strong, fearless fighter that you are. A man I admire and accept,"—she tipped her head toward the items on the bar—"in all ways."
Flames of need rose in his dark eyes. How badly he wanted to believe her.
"How can you say that when I control your family's future?" he bit out.
She'd asked herself the same question so many times; now, her heart gave the answer. "With Paul—it's about justice, isn't it? You want what's owed to you, and I cannot fault you for that. 'Tis the way of your world."
Expression shuttered, Gavin gave a slow nod. "Aye, justice."
"You've never lied to me, and I won't lie to you: I won't betray my family. If you will not release my brother, then you leave me no choice but to win the wager." Trying to keep her voice from trembling, she said, "And in that case... would you still want me?"
Her breath held.
"I will always want you."
His arms surrounded her, crushing her to his chest. Her eyelids closed as he took her lips in a hot, demanding kiss. She clung to him, opening herself completely to his passion. His hands gripped her bottom, pulling her tight against him. She sighed at the contact with his muscular form, his erect member so strong and fierce between her thighs.
"I've missed you." The admission sounded ragged, torn from a place deep inside him. "I've never wanted anyone like I want you, Percy."
"I'm glad," she said, linking her arms around his neck. "Because if you did, I'd have to scratch her eyes out. And that doesn't sound very pleasant."
At that, his brows raised. "Possessive, are you?"
"Minegoes both ways," she informed him.
He kissed her again, this time with a tenderness that made her heart sing. "You have nothing to worry about," he murmured.
Actually... she did. Recalling the purpose of her visit, she felt her belly flutter. Gavin had entrusted her with so much today; could she show the same faith in him?
"There's something I need to tell you. It's about my brother." She faltered and forced herself to say, "He's... he's in trouble again."
Gavin released her. "What sort of trouble?"
"Cards. This time he lost money to a man named O'Brien—do you know him?"
"Aye."
