Текст книги "Betrayal "

Автор книги: Aleatha Romig

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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 15 страниц)

I clenched my teeth. “I’m sorry, but I’m not helping you or anyone else cover up a crime.”

“Then you’re going to make a lousy lawyer.”

I knew he was kidding, but I was tired of people telling me what to do with my future, what to become, and how well I’d do. I pulled my hands away. “I will make a great attorney, because I’ll stand up for what’s right.”

“There are two sides to every argument.”

“Why did you do it?”

“I didn’t.” He ran his hand through his blond waves. “We had sex. She wanted more than a few dates and sex. I didn’t. She had some grand illusion about marriage. When I told her we were done, she promised she would get back at me. She said I’d led her on.”

“Bryce, Alton said there were bruises.”

He shook his head. “She didn’t have bruises the last time I saw her. I swear.”

I paced a few steps and turned back toward him. “I don’t know.”

“Yes you do. You know me. I’m the guy who was afraid of Nessie. Please consider transferring to Savannah Law.”

“What?”

“New York is far away. Not as far as California, but still far. If you’d transfer to Savannah Law, we could…” His voice trailed away.

“We could what?” I asked, with more attitude than I intended.

“Just see where the future leads.”

The caterers were gone by the time we made our way back up to the manor and lights were off in many of the rooms. It wasn’t until after Bryce was gone and I headed up to my room that I heard the voices—his voice. The tenuous calm that had settled over me at the lake’s edge disappeared. I wrapped my arms around my midsection and tried to drown out his shouting and her tears.

As I quietly shut and locked my bedroom door I realized that I was a child again, and at Montague Manor that’s what we do, we pretend not to hear and not to see. We live in the illusion hidden within the smoke and mirrors.

OUR DATE AT 333 Pacific was everything Nox promised and more… down to the sea breeze. Our covert scandalous behaviors had me twisted tighter than I’d ever been. Everything was erotic: the scent of his cologne, the thundering rumble of his voice, and the confident, assured touch of his skin against mine. Though part of me knew what we were doing—what I was allowing Nox to do to me—went against everything Alex stood for, I was virtually on the edge of explosion. Sometime during the evening, the tightening inside of me moved from pleasure to pain. I needed release and knew my only source was the man beside me. However, instead of offering relief for the smoldering fire, Nox simply continued to fan the flames.

The menacing gleam in his eyes was the spark. The way the navy swirled in the paleness as he leaned close and whispered in my ear turned butterflies into bats. At first his directives were simple, almost mundane: take a sip of your drink, tilt your head to your right, spread your legs, wider. Then I realized his plan. He was testing me step by step, to see if I would play his game.

I did.

I wanted to.

By the time our main course arrived my thighs were slick with my dedication to Nox’s entertainment, yet he’d barely touched me. My stuttered breathing and noticeable arousal was mostly accomplished with merely his words and velvety tone. On the few occasions he’d ventured to ease his skilled fingers higher and lightly brushed my folds, I squirmed involuntarily toward his touch. Instead of rewarding my effort, he’d calmly rebuke me, reminding me that he was the one testing my limits. This was his night. My part was to follow his rules. Though I did everything but verbally beg for more, his teasing continued, never delving deeper or satisfying the part of me that longed for his attention.

After dinner he took my hand and led me out past the palm trees to the long Oceanside pier. Despite the beautiful atmosphere, my frustration had grown beyond want to need. I silently cursed myself for the last few wasted nights. I cursed him for what he was doing and what he could do. My urgency was palpable. I wanted—no needed—to hurry back to the resort so that he could explore my limits in private.

“Patience,” he murmured close to my ear, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine. As if he could read my thoughts, he added, “We’ll both get what we want. But before we do, I need to be sure you’re ready.”

Ready?

“I’m ready. I promise.”

His deep chuckle was quickly lost to the roar of the surf.

The water and sky were no longer blue and sparkling. Old-fashioned street lamps, every fifty or so feet, cast circles of light upon our path. The soft illumination gave the illusion that the boardwalk was suspended in space. With the cover of night, the sea had become a black tide, invisible but for the whitecaps and the gentle rocking of the pier. The sky shimmered with stars. We paused at a simple wooden bench just outside a circle of light, and Nox gestured for me to sit. My pulse quickened and mind spun when instead of sitting beside me, he knelt before me. Electricity ricocheted through me as he leaned down and kissed the inside of my knee.

“Nox?” I asked. Drawing out his name, the one-word question revealed a hint of my hidden Southern drawl. With his warm breath skirting my thighs, I nervously looked from side to side, wishing we were alone.

Ignoring my silent plea, the menacing grin I’d grown to adore made Nox’s eyes sparkle as he gently pushed my knee to the side. I sucked my lip between my teeth, stifling a moan. The cool sea breeze was a stark contrast to his warm breath against my drenched sensitive skin. Slowly, he brushed his large hand over my leg, moving it down, and capturing my ankle. Just as I was about to speak, though I wasn’t sure what I would have said, he lifted my foot and removed my shoe. Then he did the same with the other one.

“Damn,” Nox said, standing and offering me his hand. “Even in the dark, that was a fucking fantastic view.”

A rush of blood filled my cheeks as I stood, barefoot, short, and confused. “Why did you…?”

He touched my lips. “Remember, tonight is about no questions, just trust.”

I nodded against his finger. He took my hand in his and began walking toward the end of the pier, while my shoes dangled from the long fingers of his other hand, the hand that I wanted somewhere else. After a few steps I understood what he’d done and why. It was the wooden slats of the pier. In the dark it would have been difficult, if not impossible, for me to walk without getting my high heels caught. I leaned closer to his arm as the strong wind blew inland, pushing the skirt of my dress against me. It wasn’t just my skirt. The cool air made the evidence of my arousal tingle, reminding me how close Nox had been, yet still so far.

As we walked, we talked casually about the ocean and our shared love of water. Our fingers intertwined as we discussed dinner. It was as if I wasn’t nude beneath my skirt and our lives wouldn’t diverge in only two more days. We laughed about the people around us and made up stories about their lives. Nox was certain that I wasn’t the only woman in my predicament, confident that each one who passed in a dress was enjoying the sea breeze as much as I. Though my vulnerability was potentially public, with him I felt safe and private.

By the time we made it back to the car, my tension had mellowed, but I was still ready to return to Del Mar. The man who’d placed my shoes back upon my feet was indeed my prince charming; however, my best friend was wrong: the clock would strike midnight.

Not wanting to think about the end to this fairytale, I concentrated on the here and now, on us, in a bubble, traveling back south on Highway 101. Only the headlights and the illumination of the dashboard dared to lessen the dark security that surrounded us.

“Charli?”

I turned my mindless gaze from the star-blanketed ocean toward Nox. “What? I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.”

He reached for my thigh, skillfully moving the hem of my dress upward. “I asked if you enjoyed the restaurant.”

Enjoyed?

“Dinner was delicious.”

“The atmosphere?”

I bit my lip. “It was beautiful and so was the pier.”

“Then why do you seem…” He hesitated. “…unfulfilled?”

Because I’m freak’n aroused and you’ve done nothing but tease me.

“I’m not.”

A small gasp escaped my lips and my body twitched as Nox’s hand moved higher, nearing my core. “You’re not?” He quickly turned my direction and back to the road. By the glow of the dashboard and oncoming headlights I saw the accusing stare as his lids narrowed. “Do you know what happens when you break my rules?”

I’m not sure I could think about that. Would the answer push my limit?

My pulse quickened. “I’m not breaking your rules. I’ve done everything you said.”

“So you were just truthful? You’re not horny? You don’t want relief?”

My eyes widened. Shit! “I didn’t say that. I do.”

He flipped my skirt higher. “Then do it.”

I shifted in the seat, my untethered hair blowing around my face. “I-I don’t know what you mean.”

“You’ve never pleasured yourself?”

“I have. But…”

“But what?” he asked.

I sat straighter. “Isn’t that your job, to pleasure me?”

“It is. And I will. Like I said, I want to be sure you’re ready.”

“Shit, Nox,” I practically spit the words out before I gave them any thought. “I’m ready. I am.”

“Put those fancy shoes I carried up and down the pier on the dash.”

I contemplated his demand. On the dash? Does he mean while I’m still wearing them?

“Don’t make me keep repeating myself. I don’t like to repeat myself. Put your shoes on the dash and lay your seat back. Not all the way.”

Shit! He does mean while I’m still wearing them.

“Nox?”

“My night. Have I surpassed your limit?”

I didn’t answer, not verbally. My tummy fluttered as I found the button and reclined the seat.

“That’s enough. I want to be able to see everything, including your beautiful face.”

I released the button and one by one put my feet on the dashboard. The position gave me the sensation of a gynecological appointment. That was, until the velvet voice began.

While expertly steering us toward Del Mar, Nox’s commands choreographed my every move. Step by step, he verbally moved me, to his optimum viewing pleasure, and to the promise of my relief. By the time he was satisfied with my positioning, my dress was bunched around my waist, my knees were awkwardly spread to the side, and my fingers were working feverishly. It wasn’t like I’d never done this; however, I’d never done it with an audience.

“Don’t think about it.”

My fingers stilled.

“Charli, don’t stop and don’t think—feel and listen. Listen to me.”

I closed my eyes and concentrated on the rush of wind around the car, the rumbling timbre of Nox’s tone, and the tension building inside of me. “Listen to me.” His voice dominated my thoughts. “Don’t stop. Think about the sound of my voice and the touch of my hand. Imagine it’s me working that beautiful pussy. Pretend it’s me: my fingers, tongue, and cock.”

My fingers moved in circles, small and slow, sliding my essence across my core. Faster and faster they worked, concentrating on my sensitive nub. A moan echoed through the night as the passing cars and trucks disappeared and my back arched.

“That’s it. I’m going to be the one doing what you’re doing. But first, beautiful, you need some relief.”

I plunged in one finger, then two, as I shifted my weight to my shoulders and sucked my lip.

“Oh that’s it. You’re close, aren’t you?”

I am. I’m so freak’n close.

I tried to respond, but when my answer emerged more as sounds than words, I merely nodded.

“Stop.”

What the hell?

I heard his command, but my orgasm was too close. My fingers had a mind of their own.

“Stop.” He seized my hand and pulling it toward him, sucked the evidence of my pleasure from my fingers. “Put your seat up. We have a stop.”

Stop? I couldn’t comprehend.

“Put your feet down and adjust your skirt.”

The dark, isolated world inside the Boxster turned bright as the tires bounced, and Nox turned the car off the main highway. We were at a gas station. The car needed gas? You had to be kidding me.

I was wrong. This man wasn’t my prince charming. He was a sadist.

Before I could do much more than right the seat and myself, we were parked but not at a pump. I gasped as my door was opened and Nox pulled me from the car, my feet doing their best to maintain his gait. The fluorescent lights assaulted my eyes as we passed the counter filled with lottery tickets, and watched over by an attendant. There may have been other people. Were there cars? I couldn’t think or remember as he tugged me forward.

He threw open a door and pulled me inside. Disinfectant assaulted my nose as the lock’s tumblers reverberated through the small bathroom. I stared up at Nox, confused as hell.

“Wha—”

Gleam and want shone from his pale blue eyes, making the world beyond us disappear. Our breaths, shallow and fast, filled the silence. I didn’t have a chance to finish my word, much less my question, before my back collided with the cold tile wall, and Nox pulled my tangled hair, tilting my head.

A gasp escaped my lips only a moment before his mouth captured mine, swallowing the sound of my protest.

Protest?

I couldn’t fight him off if I wanted to. But as my body melded to his, I knew it was all right. I didn’t want to fight.

The scent of disinfectant was soon lost to the musk and desire that filled the air. His movements were no longer refined as his hunger overtook him. Nox wasn’t hungry—he was ravenous, a man on the brink of starvation and I was his meal. Tugging at the zipper of my dress, he released the fitted material and freed my breasts. They were his first course as he kissed, sucked, and abraded my sensitive skin with abandoned disregard for the coarseness of his cheeks.

“You are a magnificent woman,” he praised, “a princess in another life.” His words came between kisses—no, nips and bites behind my earlobe, collarbone, and breasts. “You deserve a man who worships and makes tender love to you.”

My entire body trembled with need.

His gallant words were in severe disparity with the roughness of his actions. He spun me around to face the sink and his voice lowered. “And I think you’ve had that. You’ve had chivalry. Charli, tonight I’m going to give you the opposite. You deserve candlelight and walks on the beach.”

Nox forcefully placed my hands on the edge of the sink and yanked my ass backward. Looking up to the mirror, I watched the erotic scene unfold. With my breasts exposed and auburn hair mussed, I looked into my own eyes and saw the golden color clouded with desire. Spreading my legs with his knee, he pushed my feet apart.

I closed my eyes and willingly surrendered, knowing that what he was doing was wrong and went against everything Alex had worked to become. That didn’t change the reality: I wanted this. Nox was right. I’d had sweet, and just like the woman in the mirror, I was his for the taking.

He bunched the skirt of my dress around my waist. “Our first time,” he said, “because there will be more than one time, won’t be what you deserve.” His words skirted in hot breaths against my ear, making my knees tremble and skin pepper with goose bumps. He lowered his lips to my collarbone. “Our first time will be what you want, what you fantasize about. I’m going to take you, right here, right now.” He tugged my hair, bringing my eyes back to the mirror to make our gazes meet. His blue swirled with dark navy as he stared into me, into my soul. His tone demanded honesty. “Limits, Charli. I’m going to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked. Tell me now if I’ve crossed that limit. Tell me now if you don’t want this.”

Words didn’t form; instead, I pushed my ass backwards until it brushed against his erection. Sometime during his speech he’d freed it from the confines of his slacks.

“Last chance, Charli.”

“Please.” My word was barely audible.

He tugged my hair again. “What did you say?”

“Please, Nox. I want you. Take me.”

He didn’t need to be sure I was ready. The evidence glistened under the awful fluorescent lights. The sound of the condom package tearing was soon replaced by my whimper as he plunged deep.

I tried to brace myself against the sink, but his unrestrained passion was more than I could handle, and my grip began to slip. Just then, his strong arm wrapped around my waist and held me steady as he fulfilled every desire. In two, three, no, four thrusts, my back arched and he buried himself inside of me.

“I want to hear you.” The command came out as a growl against my neck as he moved slowly in and out.

The tension, building since our drive to Oceanside, intensified. Those flames that earlier he’d only fanned began to rage. The friction inside of me was the fuel feeding the growing blaze. I bit my lower lip to stop my screams. I was almost certain there were people out there.

Nox thrust over and over. Reaching forward, his fingers on my clit masterfully added to the growing wildfire.

“Oh!”

“That’s it. I want everyone out there to hear us.” He continued to move in and out. “When we walk out of here, everyone’s going to know exactly what we did.” His fingers mimicked the movements I’d done in the car. The waves building within me blocked out the cramped bathroom, the terrible lights, and even the world. It was only us and what he was doing and saying. “They’re going to know that I fucked you, not like a princess…” He continued to move in and out. “…but like a slut in a public bathroom. And every one of them will know you wanted it.” He slapped my ass, the sting kindling to the ever-growing inferno. “Now, Charli, say it. Tell me you want this.”

“Yes.”

“Louder.”

“Yes! I want this.”

“What? What do you want?”

Oh God. I’m about there.

“You,” I said breathily.

He pulled out, leaving my insides clenching at nothingness. “Tell me exactly what you want.”

I thrust my body backward. “You, please. Inside of me.” My inhibitions evaporated. “Damn it! Asshole, I need your cock inside of me! Now!”

My words were rewarded with a deep laugh as he went deeper, stretching me, filling me, moving faster and faster, finding my breasts, and tweaking my hard nipples.

“Oh yes!” I cried out as we fell deeper into the fog of musk.

“I-I…” My fingers gripped the sink as my legs stiffened.

Nox pulled out, turned me around and lifted my body to his. Pressing my back against the cold tile, I hugged his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist. We were like two locking pieces of a puzzle. Once I’d accommodated him completely, I screamed and surrendered to the most earth-quaking fall I’d ever experienced. With my face buried in the nape of his neck, I gasped for breath. The woodsy cologne filled my senses as the stars exploded like fireworks, the sparks lingering until the world around me came back into focus. With one final thrust, Nox’s growl rumbled against my bare chest and bounced off the bathroom walls. His massive shoulders fell against me and pinned me to the wall.

Shit! They’d probably heard us all the way to the gas pumps.

Tenderly, Nox kissed my lips and lowered my feet to the floor. I stood on wobbly knees as he lifted the front of my dress over my breasts and pulled the zipper up.

“Adjust your dress,” he said with a smirk.

He discarded the condom in the toilet and turned back to me. Lifting my chin, he said, “Walk out of here with your head held high, princess. When we get back to Del Mar, you’re getting what you deserve.”

WHAT I DESERVE… the words rang through my consciousness as Nox parked the Boxster under the large awning and gave the keys to Ferguson.

“Welcome back, sir and miss.” Did I imagine his grin?

As we walked toward the private elevator, Nox leaned down and whispered, “You’re a princess, and I’m going to show you how a princess should be treated.”

I hadn’t thought about it earlier, but no one since my real father had called me princess, not in a positive way. While my body ached from his last demonstration, the name made my heart soar. Curiosity about his plans pulsated through me, tightening my insides, erasing the soreness.

We both smiled and politely conversed with Fredrick as we waited for the elevator. It appeared so natural, no one would know that I was still without panties and we’d just had sex in a filthy public bathroom. All right, it wasn’t filthy, but it wasn’t a five-star hotel either. It was a roadside gas station.

“Thank you, Fredrick,” I said as we stepped into the elevator.

“Good night,” Nox said, handing Fredrick a bill from his money clip and pushing the close button for the door.

I smirked at Nox’s polite and not-so-subtle way of letting Fredrick know that we didn’t need his assistance to push the one button.

“Good night, sir, miss.”

We both giggled as the doors closed.

“I have plans for you.”

His deep tone sent chills across my skin. “Plans?” I asked with my most innocent tone and expression.

The corner of Nox’s lips moved upward. “Oh princess, you do that doe-in-the-headlights look very well.” The elevator began to move. “But I just fucked you in the bathroom of a gas station.” He pushed me against the dark paneling as his lips covered mine and his tongue took my breath. “That fuck’n innocent act… that ship has sailed.”

I swallowed, unsure what to say. Nox did that to me, took away my breath, words, and maybe my heart. When the doors opened and we stepped from the elevator hand in hand, I peered around, looking for Mrs. Witt. I’d never been to the suite when she wasn’t there.

“Are you looking for Mrs. Witt?”

I swear the man could read my damn mind.

“Yes, is she here?”

He tugged my hand, pulling me toward the ostentatious floral arrangement. The sweet aroma of orchids eclipsed his woodsy cologne. Flinging his jacket onto a bench, Nox’s smirk returned as he effortlessly lifted me onto the edge of the marble table. Spreading my knees he leaned between my legs. “Would it matter to you if she were?” His arm surrounded my waist and pulled me closer as his other hand moved higher on my leg. “You told a whole gas station full of people you wanted my cock inside of you. My cock,” he repeated with the lifting of his brow. “That was the word you used. It doesn’t seem like someone who would do that would be concerned about the presence of one woman.”

I lowered my forehead to Nox’s shoulder. A rush of blood colored my cheeks as I murmured against his jacket, “I know Mrs. Witt. I didn’t know—”

“Matt and Sally…?” He lifted my eyes to his. “They were the only two wearing name tags.”

I shook my head. “I used the wrong word.”

“You did?”

“Yes, I should have said dick, as in you’re being one right now.”

Nox laughed as his pale eyes sparkled. “Am I now?”

“Yes,” I said defiantly; however, with my chin still held captive and a grin on my face, I didn’t think he believed me.

His thumb caressed my cheek. “I don’t think so. You see, princess, I doubt that crowd gives many standing ovations, and we were fortunate enough to get one.”

Oh! I was so embarrassed.

I met his wicked eyes, and asked, “Mrs. Witt?”

“She has her own suite. For the rest of the night…” He spread my legs wider. Brushing his lips to mine, his fingers found my folds. “…you’re mine. All mine.”

Tilting my head back, Nox nuzzled my neck. His stubble abraded my sensitive flesh like the prickling sensation of a thousand needles sending sparks from my neck to my core. When my breathing increased, Nox lifted me from the table and cradled me against his chest.

“This is where I get to decide,” he smirked.

“Decide?”

“Should I be the dick you mentioned?”

I reached up and kissed his cheek. “Do I have any other options?”

He carried me toward his bedroom. “I promised you what you deserved. I don’t break promises.”

My eyes opened wide in astonishment as he opened the door to a sea of flickering candles—hundreds of candles everywhere—on the armoire, windowsills, and tables.

“How?”

He set me on the floor and pulled me toward the bathroom, also illuminated by candlelight. I turned a full circle in awe. The large tub was filled with bubbles and the scent of lavender hung heavily in the air.

“The other night,” he explained, “my visit to your suite interrupted your bubble bath, and I told you earlier that you deserved walks on the beach and candlelight.” He gently spun me around and lowered the zipper of my dress, all the way down. “We’ve walked,” he murmured against my skin. “Now it’s time for candlelight.” Slipping the straps from my shoulders, he allowed my dress to flutter to the ground, creating a puddle of black silk around my feet. Nox gently pulled the tie from my low ponytail as I stood with my back still toward him, wearing only my heels. “You have the most beautiful hair.” He spoke as he gathered it higher and wound the tie around it. “In here,” he went on, “with the candlelight, it’s the color of mahogany, rich and distinguished, but in the sun, I see red and yellow.” He twisted the length and tucked it under the tie, creating a bun. “It’s just like you: beautiful, layered, and unpredictable.”

I stood statuesque as the puddle near my feet grew with the inclusion of Nox’s shoes, shirt, tie, and slacks. He turned me toward him. “You deserve to be treated like the princess you are, like a queen.”

I couldn’t stop the grin when I realized that he had dressed similarly to me, also commando, standing before me in his purest and sexiest form. I reached for him, seeing clearly, for the first time what I’d only felt. The tendons in Nox’s neck strained as I ran my hand over his length. Grinning at the pile of clothing that didn’t include his boxers or underwear, I asked, “Did the sea breeze thrill you as much as it did me?”

“No.” Velvety smoothness cut through the fog of the warm bath water and steam on the mirrors. “I believe your dress gave you a distinct advantage over my slacks.”

I lifted myself to my tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Pity. You don’t know what you were missing.”

After slipping out of my heels, Nox helped me into the tub of warm water. Bubbles covered my breasts as the water rose and he slid in behind me. I settled between his legs, my back against his chest and erection.

Cupping the water, Nox showered my breasts and collarbone, caressing and fondling as he worked. Tilting my head back, I closed my eyes while the flicker of candlelight danced behind my lids.

“How did you do this?” I asked.

His words skirted over my neck. “I may have sent a text, and Mrs. Witt may have left just as we entered the elevator.”

“I never saw you do that. I didn’t even notice your phone.”

Nox laughed his chest vibrating behind me. “That means I was doing a good job of keeping you preoccupied. Now I plan on doing more than distracting you.”

Oh God.

With the twitch of his erection against my back, my once satiated core clenched with wanton lust.

“I believe it was you,” he cooed, “who mentioned that pleasing you was my job.”

I nodded as I closed my eyes again and yielded to his ministrations. His fingers found my core, rubbing, stroking, and caressing. I craned my neck toward him offering my lips as our tongues moved together. He continued to stroke the fire inside of me, building the pressure until I was afraid I’d explode too early. My nails dug into his thighs as my back arched and legs stiffened.

“Not yet,” Nox said, lifting and guiding me. I sucked in a deep breath as he moved me until we were face to face. After he made sure we were protected, he aligned himself with my core and pulled my hips down, sheathing his cock with my already tender body.

“Oh! God!” My whimper echoed off the tile as he stretched me in one painful yet pleasurable plunge. I bit my lip and lowered my forehead to his shoulder as he moved my hips up and down.

Nox coaxed my lips to his. “There’s no one else around to hear.” Nox kissed and teased my lower lip free with his teeth. “But don’t let that stop you. Hearing you turns me on.” He sucked my taut nipple. “It makes me harder.”

I wasn’t sure how he could possibly be harder, but if letting a few sounds come out was all it took, I was ready.

Up and down I moved, my knees against the side of the tub, the water sloshing about. I wasn’t sure what sent me over the edge, the marvelous friction building inside of me or the sated expression as his blue eyes clouded with pleasure, but either way, I couldn’t muffle my cries as my body detonated around his.

By the time we made it back to the bedroom and he laid me on the bed, some of the candles had burnt themselves out, making the room darker than it had been. With my head on the pillow, Nox fanned my hair around my face and lifted a votive. Swirling the warm melted wax, Nox asked, “It’s still my night, princess. Have I reached your limit?”

“No. But I don’t—”

His finger touched my lips. The flickers of flames danced as reflections in his eyes. “Just tell me if I do. I’ll listen.”

Oh God. What is he going to do? Do I trust him?

I nodded.

Never taking his eyes from mine, Nox tenderly wrapped a long piece of satin from the bedside stand drawer around my wrists. Each twist made my heart soar faster and faster. Questions came in rapid succession as he secured my arms above my head, but each time I opened my mouth to ask, his gentle kiss took away my words.

I’d never allowed anyone to bind me—Alex hadn’t—and I shouldn’t. I pushed Alex away. This was Charli’s night with Nox, not hers.

My body was on high alert. Everything was magnified. The aroma of musk with a hint of the lavender filled my senses, while his breaths filled my ears.

“Do you want me to stop?”

My hips swayed with need. “No.”

His smile melted what was still whole inside of me, as his fingers moved to be sure I was ready. I was. I wanted him and was ready to let him do anything, until… he turned his attention from me to a flickering candle. I suddenly remembered the way he’d swirled the wax. My heart raced as I debated my hard limit.

“Nox?” I’d never experienced hot wax on my skin. I didn’t know if I was ready.

“Do you trust me?” Nox asked, as he lifted the candle from the table, pursed his lips, and blew out the flame.

I did. I wanted to.

“Princess?” I asked, reminding him of what he said I deserved.

“Fire doesn’t burn the dragon.”

Oh shit! Sexy and a Game of Thrones quote.