I barely have the presence of mind to keep my voice low and gruff. I’ve never felt so vulnerable, and hiding my true self from her has never been harder.
“Yes,” she says tersely. “But I don’t want you to take it off. That wasn’t what we agreed. This was supposed to be safe.”
I reel back. “Have I made you feel unsafe?”
“No. I mean… This was just supposed to be fun. Our relationship isn’t any different than it was before.”
“Fun?” I repeat, incredulous. “That’s all this was to you? Do I not mean more to you than that toy I just pulled out of your wet pussy?”
Her delicate brows draw together. “That’s not fair. We had an agreement. You’re the one trying to change things. Don’t try to make me feel like shit when you know this isn’t how this was supposed to go.”
My stomach churns. No, this isn’t at all what I planned. I thought I’d thoroughly seduce her, and she’d be eager to meet my unmasked self.
“You’re mine. You said it yourself. Why are you denying us now?”
She scoots away from me. “There is nous. This isn’t a romantic connection, Bones. I thought we were on the same page.”
No, it’s not romantic. It’s so much more than that. Karolina is my entire world, my only reason for existence.
But I’m nothing more to her than idle amusement and carnal release.
My fingers flex, and she eyes my clenched fists warily.
“I would never hurt you,” I grind out.
She swallows hard. “I’m going to leave.”
She’s truly afraid of me now.
I can’t bear it.
But what can I say to make her understand? I can’t confess to years of stalking and obsession. I can’t tell her that I covet everything about her.
I can’t allay her budding fear by explaining that I’ve killed every man who’s ever come close to touching what’s mine.
She’s safe because of me.
She needs me, and she doesn’t even know it.
“Karolina…” I reach for her.
“Blue!” she shouts.
My body turns to granite. I don’t dare move a muscle.
She used her safe word.
Her fucking safe word.
To get away from me. Like I’m some sort of threat.
“Why are you doing this?” I demand through gritted teeth.
“I’m not doing anything,” she insists hotly.
As though she isn’t shredding what’s left of my black heart.
“You’re the one violating the terms of our relationship,” she accuses.
