For a second, I hesitate, and as my anger builds, so does my bravery, and I reach behind me and unzip my dress, letting it fall to my feet.
Joseph says nothing, and I don’t see him anymore. Just a violent rage that banishes every thought in my head other than retribution.
It helps my situation, and I don’t consider how I’ll feel about this later as I unhook my bra and let it fall to the floor. My panties follow and I stand unashamedly before my husband who is fully clothed and regarding me through a hooded gaze, his expression as empty as his heart.
“Now you strip.”
My voice is husky, edged in foolish bravery, and my breath hitches when he shifts off the bed, tearing his shirt off without breaking eye contact.
I swallow hard as he removes the leather belt from his waist and his pants fall to the floor, his boxers joining the heap of fabric, his eyes never leaving mine for a second.
My heart beats faster as I stare unashamedly at a body crafted from Mount Olympus itself. Strong, muscled, inked in black script. Powerful, deliciously wicked.
His cock is simply enormous and stands like a weapon of my destruction, and somewhere deep inside me, turbulent thoughts are tentatively raising their hands.
My bravery sweeps them away as I step closer, his eyes never leaving mine as I attempt to blank out my stupidity.
I’m a freaking virgin and I’m pretending I know what I’m doing and as I reach him, he does nothing, merely waiting for my move.
My mouth is dry, my pulse racing, and as I reach out, my hand connects with his skin, and I swallow hard.
“You’ll, um, have to help me out here because, well–”
Shame washes over me as I admit I’m all bravado, and I’m surprised when his gaze softens and he reaches out and strokes my face gently, causing a shiver of delight to ripple through my body.
“I’ll be gentle, princess.”
Tears fill my eyes, and he wipes them away, a soft smile on his face.
He says nothing and merely rests his lips against mine, his heady aftershave filling my senses, his soft touch melting any hard edges and causing me to relax.
He kisses me softly, almost with hesitation, and I relax against him, his hand slipping around my waist, pulling me against his body, dropping to my ass, his hard cock nudging against my pussy, reminding me what’s coming.
I reach up and tangle my fingers through his hair, my bravery building as he deepens the kiss and my body lights with sudden interest.
It’s as if instinct is guiding me now as I kiss him with a desperation for something I am curious about but afraid and as he pushes me down onto the bed, I close my eyes and much like inside the black room, I close my eyes against reality and prepare for the unexpected.
CHAPTER 26
JOSEPH
Iwas surprised she came back so soon. I’m guessing she went to the black room because it’s the only room she is guaranteed her safety—from me.
I waited, not really expecting a return visit but enjoying the solitude simple surroundings can bring.
The attic room is perfect. It’s stripped of everything but necessity and focuses the mind instead. I have wealth, privilege, and comfort, and none of that means shit when it comes with a restless mind.
Then she came back.
She stood like a warrior in the doorway, intent heavy in her expression, and it was fascinating to watch.
A thousand doubts played across her features; her bravery taking her on a trip her weakness cowers away from.
When she stripped, she grabbed my attention by the balls because she is stunning. Perfectly formed and everything I admire, and it’s not just her beautiful body, it’s her mind.
Rather than be forced, she is forcing the situation, and I admire that. She doesn’t require sarcastic words, gloating even. I respect her too much for that.
Neither of us asked for this, and I wonder how I could have been so stupid. Who wouldn’t want this—her? She is like a broken doll whose cracks only add to the appeal, making her even more beautiful, more tragic, more captivating.
