“It seemed real. I heard them—the men.”
“Lie back, Emma.” He pushed me gently away. “Those men are dead. They can’t hurt you.”
Sighing, I laid my head back on the pillow. With the changing lights and warm orange glow, I could make out the definition in Rett’s chest and torso. I saw the way the muscles in his arms bulged when he moved, the tightness in his jaw, and straining tendons in his neck.
He exemplified the persona he claimed. Everett Ramses was a ruler, a killer, and in his words, the devil. His harsh masculine beauty made him all the more dangerous, and yet he was here with me, reassuring me.
“You won’t hurt me either.”
The muscles on the side of his face grew taut. “Fuck, Emma.”
“You won’t. You say you’re bad. If that’s true, why are you here?”
“It’s my house.”
“Why are youhere?”
“You were screaming.”
I ran my hand over his arm. “I’m tired of waiting.”
“You said you wanted to know more about me than my ability to make you orgasm.”
“I know more about you.” I quipped, “Remind me about the other part.”
His eyes shut and his nostrils flared.
Scooting away, I made my way to the floor. With no real plan, I bent my knees and knelt at the side of the bed. My hands shook as I wondered where they were supposed to be. “Rett, I confess, I have no idea what I’m doing.”
He smiled.
Sitting back on my knees and bent toes, I went on, “But I want to give you what you want.”
Rett turned until his bare feet were on the floor, spaced in front of me. It was then I noticed his legs. It was an odd observation, but never before had I seen him without long pants. As I scanned I realized that even his calves and thighs were muscular. There wasn’t anything about Everett Ramses that wasn’t sexy.
He leaned down, placed one finger under my chin, and held it higher. “Tell me what you want, Emma.”
“I did.”
“You know what I want.” It wasn’t a question.
I nodded as my lip disappeared between my teeth.
“Talk to me.”
I was honest. “I’m scared.”
“No, you’re not. This right here and right now isn’t frightening. You’ve been through much worse, and you’re the bravest woman I know. Admit to yourself and to me what this does feel like. It’s like the night I met you at the restaurant, Emma. It’s not fear. It’s exhilaration. It’s stimulating.”
His observation fit.
I was feeling a myriad of emotions. There was part that was new and intriguing, but there was also fear. “You’re right, but so am I. I’m scared that I’ll not be who you want or in the process, I’ll lose me. You want me to be weak and I’m not.”
Rett offered me his hand. Seeing his outstretched palm, I sighed, struck by the realization that I’d tried and failed.
It was as I stood that Rett spoke. “I don’t want you weak. I never said that.” He tugged me between his knees. His only clothing was a pair of silk boxer briefs that even in the darkness left little to the imagination.
“Then I don’t understand.”