Page 13 of House of Crimson Cloak and Silver Teeth

“Your heart rate just spiked again,” he observes.

“Just finish the fucking search,” I snap, jaw clenching.

“Why? Am I making you uncomfortable?” His hand lingers on my inner thigh. Not quite high enough to be inappropriate, but close. “I’m almost done.”

Please be done. Please don’t notice. Please don’t—

His hand brushes against the front of my pants. It’s barely a touch and probably accidental.

My hips jerk forward involuntarily.

The air goes still between us. Absolute silence stretches for three heartbeats.

“Well,” Garrett says quietly. “That’s interesting.”

Fuck.

“It’s a normal physical response,” I say far too quickly. “Means nothing.”

“Mm.” His hand presses deliberately on my cock this time, confirming. “Is that what this is? Physical reaction?”

“Yes,” I grunt.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not—”

“You are.” His hand remains where it is, not moving but not withdrawing either. “Your body is telling me something very different from your mouth.”

Heat floods my face. I’m grateful for the blindfold and my mask now, grateful he can’t see whatever expression I’m making.

“Take your hand off me,” I manage.

“Why? Does it bother you?” His thumb moves in a slow circle. Just enough pressure to make me bite back a sound. “Or do you want me to do more?”

“I want you to go fuck yourself.” I force the insult through ragged breathing.

He laughs and his hand withdraws. I should feel relieved. Instead I feel the loss and the damning sense of frustration.

“Fine,” he says. “I’ll stop. For now.”

For now.

He’s moving away. I track him by sound alone.

“I should just leave you here. Let you hang for a while,” he suggests, voice drifting farther away. “I’ll come back when you’re feeling more cooperative.”

His footsteps cross the stone floor, getting fainter.

My pulse kicks up. The sound of him going away sends something close to fear shooting through my chest. I’ll be alone in the dark, bound with a fucking hard on. I have no idea when or if he’ll come back.

“Wait.”

“Wait?” He sounds delighted. “Are you asking me to stay?”

“I’ll answer your questions.” The offer comes out rushed.

“Will you now?” His voice lilts with amusement.