“Woefully unlucky,” I say with a snort. “Honestly, woman, you even talk like a writer sometimes.”
She grins. “Why, thank you.”
I kiss her cheek.
“I like what I see,” she whispers, then her hands come to my shoulders and she directs my gaze to hers. “But I need answers, Tate. Honest answers.”
Doesn’t seem fair for me to ask questions and not give honest answers myself.
“Aye.”
“Were you ever attracted to me before?”
Bloody hell, she doesn’t know?
“I’ve been attracted to you since Leith met Cairstina.”
She blinks. “What?”
“You remember when we went looking for Paisley? You met up with us, helped us find her location. Don’t tell me you forgot that already.”
“I didn’t forget it. I just don’t know why that matters.”
“I thought you were beautiful. I thought you were brilliant, and brave, and I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”
Her face falls. “And then I had to fuck it up and hook up with that douche. And I know you, Tate. I know you well enough to know you’d never come after someone with a significant other.”
“Aye. You know that’s exactly why I kept away.”
She had Fergus and responsibilities. I couldn’t ruin that for her.
"We still shouldn't do this," she said softly. "I want this for us. But I won't let myself hurt your family anymore. I've done too much, and now it's time for me to make it better."
I remember how she reacted to my dominance. I know how wet she gets when I punish her. I've seen the way her eyes dilate when I catch her wrists between my fingers. So I give her a look that dares her to defy me. "I don't remember giving you a choice."
I don't miss the look of excitement that crosses her face. I don't miss the way she gasps, trying to smother her reaction. "Will you… Have your way with me no matter what?"
"You are mine, Fran. My prisoner. You won't be allowed to leave my presence without supervision. You are my charge." There’s truth in what I say, and she knows it, but I’ll use this to my advantage.
Her eyes warm. “Yes, sir."
God, the sound of her saying those words…
I spread her legs and glide my fingers to where she’s wet and swollen for me. She clenches around my fingers and throws her head back.
“Will I make it up to you, then?” she whispers.
I remove my fingers, and she groans.
“How?”
“If I give myself over to you… let you use me… let you take advantage of me….” Her voice grows huskier as she says the words, her eyes wide with lust and need. “Will you forgive me for what I’ve done?”
If only it were that simple. If only I could take away the ramifications of what she’s done. If only…
“It’s a start,” I say teasingly, bending my mouth to her ear and nipping the lobe. I relish her gasp. “It’s a bloody fucking start.”
I’ll fight for her.
