Silas’s jaw clenched at the mere reminder of the man who’d done so much damage to his princess.
His attention was diverted when his brothers began rising from the table, picking up the dishes to take into the kitchen.
“You outdid yourself, babe,” Justice said, letting out an exaggerated groan. “It’s time for us to get on out of here. We’ve taken up enough of your time as it is, and as Silas said, you shouldn’t have spent all afternoon slaving over a hot stove when you’ve been so busy with school and practice.”
They paraded into the kitchen, insisting Hayley remain seated while they cleared the table. When they were finished, they all dropped affectionate kisses on top of her head and said their good-byes. Hayley beamed and gave them all a wave as they exited the apartment. Silas was close on their heels, securing each of the locks behind them.
When he turned back to Hayley, he was barely able to voice his command around the excitement and need mounting in him.
“Go into the bedroom and completely strip. I want you belly down on the bed, feet planted on the floor. Do not move. Wait for me. I’ll be in as soon as I’ve taken care of cleaning the kitchen.”
“Oh, but—”
He arched one eyebrow that silenced her immediately. “Do as I told you,” he said in a dangerously soft voice.
She shivered, chill bumps erupting on her arms. Without another word, she rose gracefully from the table and hurried toward the bedroom. Only then did Silas allow himself to smile as he anticipated what he had in store for his princess.
24
Hayley warred with nervousness and excitement as she hurriedly complied with Silas’s command. Though it had been softly worded, there had been nothing soft about his eyes or expression. There was a feral light in his gaze and his features had been rigid with purpose. He had looked almost... savage. She shivered at the memory and rubbed her palms rapidly up and down her arms in an attempt to warm herself before she settled into position on the bed.
His brooding intensity should scare the wits out of her but she couldn’t bring herself to ever truly fear the man she’d given herself wholly to. She knew in her heart he would never hurt her. He’d been nothing but fiercely protective of her, and he had also made her feel so very cherished and treasured. What woman wouldn’t melt into a puddle to have a man like Silas be so focused on her every need and comfort?
She bit her lip. Then what had been in his eyes tonight and why did she have the distinct feeling that she was about to see another side to Silas? Not that she was fool enough to think she knew everything there was to know about a man with more secrets and shadows than her entire hometown. She would probably continue to be surprised and see something new from him twenty years from now, if she was so fortunate as to still be in his life.
Her eyes widened with the realization of just what she’d just admitted. Permanency. A life with Silas. She wanted to roll her eyes at herself and mutter a loudDuh!Why should the thought of wanting to be with him twenty, forty, sixty years from now surprise her? She was so wrapped up in him that she never wanted to work herself free. He was everything she’d ever wanted in a man. The only question mark looming over her was... Evangeline and just how and where she fit into Silas’s life and why another man’s wife took absolute precedence over Hayley’s importance and role in Silas’s life. It made her unsure and insecure, and neither was a welcome or comforting feeling.
If Silas truly cared for her the same way she cared for him, he wouldn’t constantly place the needs of another woman—amarriedwoman—over Hayley. Hayley wouldn’t be relegated so far down the list of Silas’s priorities, ranking at least fourth—if not lower. She knew his loyalty was to Drake, Evangeline and his brothers above all others, and those were just the ones she knew about. Who knew who else rated higher?
Maybe she was just a distraction. A passing source of entertainment and an outlet for sex. Convenient. Maybe he didn’t have any intention of keeping her around for any length of time, and if that was the case, she was the biggest fool ever for putting him first, for giving him her absolute loyalty, obedience and submission.
She didn’t doubt that Silas was a good man. He wasn’t an asshole, at least not on purpose. He’d never given Hayley any indication that he didn’t value her, and he always looked out for her best interest and protected her from any perceived threat. But if she didn’t have his heart, if she didn’t have his absolute commitment, what did she really have?
He owned every piece of her, body, mind and soul. Could she say the same about him? And did she even want to know the answer to that question? Sometimes the truth hurt. It cut as deeply as the sharpest blade, and sometimes ignorance truly was bliss. At least if she didn’tknow the truth she could continue to create her own reality and remain unaware of Silas’s true feelings for her.
She closed her eyes, angry that she was ruining what promised to be an exciting, pleasurable night because no matter what Silas planned, no matter the uncompromising set to his features, she knew he would take care of her and ensure her pleasure before his own. If she knew nothing else, she knew this to be the one steady truth in their relationship.
If she would only stop overanalyzing and picking apart every aspect of his personality and stop letting her insecurities and fears overrule all else and just relax and live in the moment, then she’d be a hell of a lot happier for it. She couldn’t predict what might happen tomorrow, next week, next month or five years from now. But what she could do was enjoy each and every minute she and Silas were together, and no matter what the future held, she would hold close and savor and cherish every single moment she had with him. The only thing she could control was the here and now. Nothing else. So why torture herself endlessly on thewhat ifs andmaybes?
Feeling marginally better after the stern lecture she’d administered to her deeply held fears and insecurities, she relaxed and instead focused on what Silas had planned for her and just what he’d do to her tonight.
Just the thought sent a warm flush over her entire body, and an electric tingle skittered up her legs to her torso and to the roots of her hair. Her fingers that had been splayed wide, planted on the mattress on either side of her head, dug into the bed and curled into tight fists, the material of the luxurious comforter gathered in her grasp.
Her body was suddenly restless and a low moan slipped past her lips as she fought the urge to writhe and slip one hand down between her legs to stroke over her highly sensitized clit. She fought off the temptation, knowing Silas wouldn’t be pleased, and pleasing him made her happy. She loved the approval that warmed his gaze whenshe willingly did his bidding. It made it sound like she was a child desperate to please or gain the approval of a parent or adult. It would no doubt make her appear needy and pathetic to other people, but she didn’t give one fuck about what anyone except Silas thought about her. Making him happy—wanting to make him happy—was something she did for her every bit as much as she did it for him. And if something satisfied her and filled the hollow places in her heart, then that was all that mattered. She owed no one explanations, nor did she have to justify her decisions to anyone but herself.
She breathed in sharply and went completely still, letting her fingers uncurl and relax when she registered Silas’s presence in the bedroom. Her pulse sped up and a flutter began deep in her belly, traveling to the many erogenous zones at the apex of her thighs. Her vagina clenched in greedy expectation of what was to come.
She nearly flinched when his huge hand covered her ass cheek, offering a caress as he petted her.
“That’s my good girl,” he said huskily, approval laced in every word. “You’re my very good girl. So obedient and mindful of my instructions.”
She flushed with delight, warmth shooting through her veins at his praise.
“However, you weren’t so obedient or mindful of my wishes earlier today. My princess must be punished for such blatant and willful disobedience. I won’t tolerate you ever ignoring matters concerning your personal safety.”
Her eyes flew open at the unexpected reprimand.What?She barely managed to keep from voicing the shockedWhat?aloud but bit into her lip just in time. Her mind raced frantically, perplexed and trying to understand what he meant. She’d ignored matters concerning her personal safety?
“More than the fact that you disregarded my wishes,” he continued as he kept caressing the plump swell of her ass, “is the fact that you putyourself at risk by placing yourself in danger and prevented me from being in a position to protect you if the need arose. And that, my beautiful girl, is something I will never allow. Your safety, your well-being, is not just important. It’severything. This is one area I will tolerate no defiance, and youwillobey me when it comes to your welfare. Is that understood?”
