Did he just say sick? What a wonderful idea! How can I make myself puke? Can I conjure up a sudden illness? Stomach cramps, maybe? Works every time for females, but I’m sure Nick already knows when my period starts.
“You are nervous, aren’t you?” Nick shakes his head in admonishment. “If there is one lesson for you to learn, Julianna, it would be to never hide the truth from me.”
Yes, I admit it; I am nervous. I’m afraid my motor-mouth will override my acting skills and cause a serious altercation, but I’ll let him think I’m nervous about something else entirely as I skirt along the truth. “Yes, I am nervous,” I admit to him. “I’m afraid I am going to do or say something wrong to upset you, and after my episode last week, I just want our evening to go smoothly.” Even though I just lied, it was the truth. I don’t want any trouble tonight, especially of the whipping kind.
Nick gives me a most genuine smile as I tell him what he wants to hear. Removing his hand from mine, his fingers gently rest under my chin and tilt my head back to capture my lips in a light kiss. His tongue skims along the outside of my bottom lip and my lower belly flutters. I wind up asking myself again. With all the beautiful women in the world, why did he have to choose me? When I open my eyes, my stomach flips again as I’m met with the most intense bedroom eyes I’ve ever seen.
“Julianna, last week you were upset; you were still adjusting to your new lifestyle and the Blyss. Your lashing out was to be expected,” he whispers as his mouth hovers over mine. “I don’t hold you accountable for the past two weeks, so put your mind at rest.” He tilts his head to the side, pausing to regard me. “I’ve wiped the slate clean, better now?”
I nod, then think of Travis and his instructions of avoiding future wrath by remembering what these men like to hear. I look him square in the eyes and whisper, “Yes, Sir.” And with my simple statement, you would’ve thought I gave the man a winning lottery ticket. He’s literally glowing with self-pride. His upper lip twitches in what could only be a display of feral lust and a stroked ego. Please, don’t devour me.
I haven’t had enough to drink yet to be able to deal with him. His calloused fingertips move from my chin, and he begins to caress the side of my face with tender strokes. Fifty percent of me wants to pull away from his touch, and the other fifty wants his continued soft ministrations and doting. I must’ve been isolated for far too long. I’m starved for human contact and affection; it’s the only explanation I can come up with.
“You surprise me at every turn, you know? You have made me one happy man this evening, my love. I will make sure you will never want for anything. You’ll always have whatever it is your heart desires, as long as you stay faithful to me.”
“Be careful with that statement, Nick. I can be rather expensive,” I lightly tease while giving him a timid smile. His stare is heated and I find myself averting my eyes back to the rapidly depleting glass of wine in my hand and shift uncomfortably in my seat.
“I can afford it. I told you from the beginning—I take care of what’s mine.” From the way he’s looking at me, I’m going to need to sneak in more alcohol; three more bottles should suffice. “I almost feel like you’re really mine, truly wanting this, wanting us. Tell me you’re feeling this,” he pleads as his soft brown eyes search mine. “Tell me I’m not dreaming.”
I take one last sip of wine, and the first glass is gone. He shakes his head in adulation, ignoring the fact I just drank the entire contents in four swallows. I’m going to have to learn how to lie, and I’m a terrible liar. I hate lies, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
Nick begins to thread his fingers through the back of my hair, and I remember what these men do with my head when I’m not supposed to avoid eye contact, so I look up immediately, giving him my full attention. “I’m sorry, Nick. There is no denying you have a certain magnetism about you, and perhaps with a little more time, once I get to know you better on a deeper level, I will be able to reciprocate your feelings.” I swallow hard, hoping my answer is sufficient enough for him. “Just please be patient with me. This is all so new to me. I’ve spent the better part of two weeks underground, and I’m not sure how I feel about anything at the moment.” It looks as if I have a talent for spouting out half-lies convincingly, because he seems to buy it.