There goes another fracture in my control.
When she nods, the air is knocked from my lungs. It’s barely a whisper. “But we can’t take it any further than that.”
“I’m a patient man, butfuck,darling. That’s a lot to ask of me when I can smell your arousal from here. When all I’ve thought about since you first opened those lips to lie to me is what they would look like wrapped around my cock.”
The blood rushing to my dick is making it strain painfully in my boxers. At this point, I’d happily settle for her beautiful fingers choking it. Maybe a little flick of her tongue to collect the bead of precum that is waiting eagerly for her mouth.
I’m about ready to get on my damn knees and grovel when she closes her eyes briefly and turns around. Her eyes remain locked on mine, but I don’t miss the way she’s trembling. I slowly take her in, like the most beautiful artwork that was created just for me, when my focus lands on the discolored, raised skin on her lower stomach. Her bikini bottoms conceal others I can’t see.
I stop counting the haphazardly placed scars when I get to fifteen because it doesn’t matter to me.
But it also fucking matters a lot. Whoever the fuck did this to her is going to wish they could use the knife they carved her with to end their pain that I will drag out. I’ll use my blade and then let Imogen heal them.
So, I can inflict pain again.
And again.
I’ll be the devil in their living hell. No escape. Just torment and torture for hurting this beautiful creature who is still the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
My hands ball into fists at my sides. The familiar coil of rage is starting to stake a claim again. But seeing Kate, the tears falling down her face, all I want to do is soothe whatever pain she’s been living with.
Lucky for her, I know endless ways to torture a man till he’s begging for death. And I have a team ready to haul their ass to me on a silver platter.
“A name,” I growl.
Her eyes bounce between mine. “Preston—”
“Darling, I’m going to track that sick fuck down whether you tell me or not. But this,” I wave a hand over her, “doesn’t change a thing. I want you.”
She exhales a disbelieving breath. “These scars are from someone who took everything from me and never gave an inch back. Sex has never been about me, Preston. I’m not even sure I know what that feels like. My body is broken—I can’t get off without some pain mixed with the pleasure because that’s all I’ve known. Running is all I know. And I don’t want to taint anyone, you,” she clarifies, “with something I’ve never healed from.”
In one heartbeat, I’m consuming the distance, wrapping my arm around her waist, pulling her into me. “Look at me, Kate.” Her eyes are diverted to the floor, but when I whisper, “Please,” the request feels foreign but right coming out of my mouth.
Her heavy, glazed eyes lift to mine.
Seeing her like this breaks my heart. Which is baffling, considering I thought there was nothing left.
I press my finger below her chin, so she feels the truth of every word. “You are not broken. You were just dealt a fuckingshitty hand and had the strength to run and get yourself out of something you never deserved. Trust me when I say, I know how hard it is when you don’t have closure, that the person who did this is still out there wreaking havoc on your life, and won't let you rest. Healing takes time and the right people to help you through it, because it's too heavy to do alone. Healing isn’t a straight path. Let me help you heal, even if it just removes a little bit of the weight you carry.”
A tear glides down her cheek, and I absentmindedly swipe it away with my thumb.
A ghost of a smile plays on her lips. Her voice is as soft as she feels in my arms. “Your dad said the same thing when he was talking about you.”
I swallow. “You aren’t alone.”
She sinks further into me, gripping my t-shirt in her fists.
Tonight is about her and what she needs from me. Because whatever she wants will satisfy us both.
My thumb brushes across her flushed cheek. “Tell me what you want. I want you to trust me, and in return, I’ll trust you.”
She considers that for a moment, rolling her lips.
“And if you need time, I’ll give you time.” No matter how fucking hard it will be. “Whenever you're ready, I want to give you everything you deserve,” and more. “I want to makeyoufeel good. I want you to come onyourterms. Darling, doing that for you, and only you, will be more than enough for me.”
Her eyes flutter shut, her gasp floating in the small space separating us.
When she mutters, “Kiss me,” like a plea, I don’t hesitate.
