“Having sex right now will complicate things,” I warn her, even as I let go of her wrists long enough to whip off my T-shirt.
But I want her.
“Oh my God,” she repeats, and I’m fully prepared for her to lecture me, when her hand goes flat on my chest and her eyes drink me in. “I’ve never seen you bare-chested.”
I look down at myself, surprised by her obvious interest.
“You haven’t?”
“No, I’ve stalked you every single time you chopped wood hoping for a strip show, but I’ve been woefully unlucky.”
“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.
I’ll work with her to make it better.
And it might be my lust-filled brain convincing me this will work out, but I know that I'd give her anything right now.
I’ll fight her demons.
I’ll fight her enemies.
I’ll vindicate her so the Clan won’t have a case for retribution.
And when I’m done… she’ll be mine.
“Then fuck me, Tate,” she says, her eyes meeting mine in bold challenge. “Fuck me.” She reaches for my waist and unfastens the button of my pants, licking her lips. At first, I allow it, relishing the feel of her hands on my hips, then further down, my trousers pushed down over my hips as she reaches for my hard cock.
I push her hand away and shake my head.
“Not now, darlin’. No.”
She bites her lip. I watch her, drinking in every detail.
“Why not?” There’s a catch in her voice, like she feels I’m rejecting her, and it makes me feel terrible, but I know I have to stay strong.
“Because I just punished you. Because if I sleep with you and my brothers find out, they’ll think I’m thinking with my cock instead of my brain.” I give her a serious look. “Because you’re still my prisoner.”
I’m so fucking hard, though, it’s killing me.
“You don’t want me,” she says, and when she turns her head to the side, I see tears glistening.
“Fran.” I roll over and pull her to me. “You know I want you.”