He grazed his lips over mine. So soft, I wasn’t sure if it was his lips or his warm breath I felt. “The mirror, Ella.”
My gaze flicked to the covered mirror behind him, and every muscle tensed, desire fleeing my body. I opened my mouth to speak. No words came out. Without looking at Xavier, I closed my eyes and felt him gently squeeze my neck, his other hand finding the curve of my arse, drawing me into his body. Instead of discomfort, pleasure seeped through every pore once more.
His lips brushed mine again. “Do you trust me?”
“Always.” I inhaled his familiar scent, letting it calm my anxious soul.
“Are you sure?” I nodded on a whimper. “Then let me fuck you in front of the mirror.” My lids flew open, my gaze searching his face for assurance. “Would you?”
No wasn’t a choice I gave myself regarding this man. I’d stop breathing if he asked me to. “Yes.”
“With your eyes open?” His hand dropped from my neck to grasp my other arse cheek. Both hands squeezed, drawing me tighter to his hard frame, letting his cock press into my stomach and spinning every cell in my body to cry out in need. “Yes? No?” He gently pushed.
I hesitated, unsure if I had the strength to do so. “I...” the words stuck in my throat.
He rubbed his nose against mine. “You’re blind to your true beauty, love.” His lips skimmed mine. “Because you see scars where I see strength,” his voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Let me show you?”
Inhaling a long deep breath, I willed courage into my body. “Yes.”
“Close your eyes.”
I did as he asked then I felt him move away. A few seconds later, he came up behind me, and with his hands on my shoulders, he slowly turned me. My breath sped up, every inch of me aware of what he was doing, afraid of what I’d see.
That lame, pathetic girl I’d tried hard to hide since living with Xavier. I must’ve worn my anxiety on my face because he gave my arms a light squeeze.
“I’m right here with you, Ella. You can do this.” I nodded. “Now, take a deep breath, and when you’re ready, open your eyes. I want you to look only at me.” Obeying, I slowly lifted my eyelids. “That’s it, love. Find my eyes.” I did, letting those blue spheres anchor mine in the mirror. “Now, I want you to listen to my voice. Follow my words with your eyes. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good girl.” His lips slid into a soft smile before he began speaking again. “These ears. They have heard thewrathof sinful words.” My insides swirling with the fear the mirror represented, I didn’t break eye contact. Xavier gently massaged my arms. “Trust me?” he repeated.
“Always.”
“Then I need you to look at yourself. Let my voice guide you and follow my words. Can you do that?” His tender smile calmed my insides.
“Yes.”
“Good girl. Now listen. These ears.” He tucked my hair behind my ears. “They have heard thewrathof sinful words,” he repeated, emphasizing the word wrath, and I let my eyes drift from his to my ears. “They will roar with the cadence ofkindness.”
I took in the curved shape and the tiny, pearl earrings, letting his words sink in. They have, with your kindness, I wanted to say. I didn’t.
“This face.” He drew his palm downward, a breath away from my face. “It once clouded with theenvyof freedom. It will brighten with thetemperanceof joy.”
My heart fluttered with his words. I stared at my face, surprised at the glowing cheeks and pink lips. Nothing like that first horrendous look of a pale and gaunt creature I never knew.
“These eyes.” He drew two gentle fingers across my eyes. “They have seen the crimson shades of lewdgluttony. They will witness thepatienceof love.”
I studied my eyes, fascinated by the two colors that held a sparkle I felt radiating through my chest.
“This nose.” He tapped a soft finger on the bridge. “It once smelt the stench of blasphemouslust. It will soon inhale thechastityof passion.”
I pulled in a slow, deep breath, watching my nostrils flare yet immediately aware of the potent scent of sandalwood and musk that defined Xavier for me. I’d sense him even in my subconscious.
“These hands.” He slid his hands down my arms to link our fingers, his searing touch spreading through my body rapidly. “They have touched upon the edges ofsloth. They will soon feel the decadence ofdiligence.”
I flexed my fingers, remembering how often they’d bled from knife wounds or my nails digging into their palms. I squeezed Xavier’s hands.
“This belly.” He released one of my hands and rolled his over my stomach. “It once swelled with the greed ofhunger. It will soon roll with the waves ofcharity.”
