Did he truly understand what he was getting here, what awaited him if he shared his life with me? He wasn't the one who needed acceptance. He was perfect in every way. But, me?I'm no one, nothing. A flaw, a failure, entirely imperfect for him.
"I'm broken," I whispered.
"No, you're not." He cupped my face. "You have the strongest spirit I've ever seen someone possess. The things you've done, the obstacles you've conquered, would be impossible for anyone else to do. They would have given up by now, but not you."
He chuckled, and each soft puff of air against my lips felt like the only breath I needed. "You're not broken; you don't need to be fixed. But even if you were, a single shard of you is worth more than all the money in this world. You are like the sun, Catalina. Beautiful, blinding, the reason I wake up every day. You arepriceless. I will always want you. Alwayschooseyou, my vicious little queen."
The monsters in me quieted, my every negative thought and fear crumbling away. I could no longer say no. I wanted him too much, even if it was wrong, even if I was selfish.
He told me once he was a greedy bastard when it came to me, and I supposed I was the same.
I wouldn't,couldn'trisk him, and if the greatest danger to his life was me leaving him, then I would stay by his side for as long as he'd have me.
I was his, just as much as he was mine. And while I didn't know how many days we'd have together, I was too tired to keep running from him.
I wanted it all, every smile, every laugh, every fight. I wanted a life with him.
I balled my hands in his shirt and kissed him. And if I believed in heaven, this would be it. The taste of his lips on mine, the way his body pressed into me. He was my sanctuary, the one and only person I'd ever give everything I was to.
When he broke the kiss, he was smiling, but there was something devious in his eyes. A plan there I wouldn't be able to escape from.
He ran his thumb across my lips, and I parted them immediately.
His eyes darkened. "Get on your knees, Catalina."
Without a second thought, my knees buckled. I gazed up at him and basked in the joy my obedience gave him.
He took hold of my chin. "I'm still going to punish you for what you did, Catalina. You were a very bad girl."
"I'm sorry," I whispered, sincerity flowing through every fiber of my being.
"I know." He leaned down, towering over me. "While you receive your punishment, you will only answer to me with 'yes sir' or 'no sir.' Do you understand?"
His tone was firm, and a part of me wanted to rebel against it. I wanted to know what would happen if I broke his rule. But not this time. Today he deserved my compliance, and I'd give it to him willingly. I'd give him whatever he wanted, always.
"Yes… sir."
"Good girl, now wait here."
He left, leaving me kneeling on the floor, with my breasts exposed, my shirt in tatters, and my pussy sopping wet for him.
When he came back, he had a black duffle bag. Curiosity burned within me, but one look from him warned me that if I uttered a word, I'd be in more trouble than I already was.
I gulped, wetting my parched throat as anticipation built within me.
He pulled out a long black rope and I raised my eyebrows, but he revealed nothing.
Kneeling in front of me, he retrieved a knife from his back pocket.
I stayed completely still, barely breathing.
Then, he slashed away my pants and underwear until I was entirely naked.
Standing once more, his gaze swept over me like a physical caress.
He circled me, stopping behind me, and draped the rope over my skin.
Slowly, he looped it around my neck, my chest, replacing the belt around my wrists with the rope. He continued until he reached my ankles and removed my shoes and socks. The rope was soft and thick, and combined with his hot, rough hands, it sent shivers across my body.
