His expression turns cold before he moves to my side, pulling the bone folder off the platform. Wordlessly, he spins on his heel and disappears to the back of the room. A minute later, he returns, holding a wet cotton ball out between us.
The citrusy scent coming from it is too familiar.
“No.” I shake my head, crawling back. “You said you wouldn’t beat me. A solvent, or a chemical, whatever this is, it’ll do worse. It’ll kill me.”
“It’s lemon, not a chemical. It’ll sting,”—he smirks—“but there’ll be no damage to your flawless skin. I wouldn’t allow it.”
Whatever we shared a second ago is gone. I have no idea how to get it back other than to keep obeying him.
My shoulders sag as I lift a hand off the pedestal to accept the cotton, holding it between my trembling fingers.
I look up at Duncan. “Why?”
“I’m saving it, your orgasm. It’s mine.” His tone broaches no argument. “Soak it up, then give me the cotton.”
My lip wobbles, but Duncan doesn’t seem to care. He’s silent as I drag the wet cotton over my skin, over the mess he’s made of me.
The scent of lemon clings to the air, bitter and clean. A quiet mockery.
An infuriating one.
My lungs grow hotter. Indignation curls my hand around the cotton.
Out of everything we’ve done tonight, this part hurts. Badly.
I have no idea why, and I don’t stick around to find out.
“Enough.” I throw the cotton ball at his feet.
“Elowyn…”
“No, no,Elowyn.” My dress lies crumpled on the floor. I get up, grab it, and throw this see-through armor over me. “I’m done for tonight. Do you hear me? Done. I expect better from you tomorrow.”
Neither of us says another word after that. Heavy and unreadable, his gaze follows every movement. I feel it as tears cloud my vision. As I turn my back on him and run off.
Bare feet slap the cold floor as I bolt down the hall to my room. The sting of citrus is still irritating my pussy.
My sobs grow louder the farther I get from him, in this maze of a house.
By some miracle, I reach my bedroom. I slam the door behind me and head straight to the shower, knowing I should at least be angry at Duncan, but I can’t.
I just can’t.
12
DUNCAN
As Elowyn disappears down the hall, something fractures in my chest.
Matter of fact, my entire body reacts. My arms tense, aching to fold around her. My feet barely stay rooted as instinct urges me forward.
That pull is dangerous. Familiar. The same lie that once convinced me I could save her, keep her, make everything right.
I know better now.
Refusing to be fooled again, I steel myself against the longing. Against the need to console her. I don’t follow, don’t call her back, or reach for the door before it closes.
Only when her agonizing sobs stop echoing through the gallery, do I head to my room.
