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‘I realize there’s a lot to know about you,’ I whisper. ‘And I know beyond doubt that I might not like some of it, but none of that wondering or worry is making me like you less. That’s what scares me.’
Theo’s large chest visibly sinks on a deep breath. ‘Thank you for your honesty,’ he says, his hand going to his spiky jaw and stroking thoughtfully. ‘You’re right. And I don’t expect you to like everything there is to know about me. That would be asking too much. I only expect you to like me. I only expect you to appreciate the man I am to you.’
I swallow, hating and loving what he’s saying. Loving partly because my conclusions have pretty much been confirmed, and hating because the confirmation hasn’t even dented my intrigue or attraction. It’s only heightened it.
After a few seconds of silence, he strides over to me with what I think is determination. Or resolution. Or both? He gestures to my hand, and I offer it willingly, inhaling steadily as his touch meets mine, his fingers flexing gently. He watches us come together for a few beats. ‘Feels good, doesn’t it?’ he asks, glancing up at me, a little awed by the simple feeling of our skin touching.
I nod, wholeheartedly agreeing. Never before has a man’s touch comforted me. His hand squeezes mine and he pulls me from the table, heading for the door. As he guides me from the dining room, my feet work fast to keep up with him, my heart going wild. We pass the waiter, who immediately steps back, out of our path.
‘We’re finished,’ Theo tells him, curt and short and without looking at him as he continues to lead me through the extensive suite. I focus on the warmth of his strong hand surrounding mine, fighting back unwelcome memories. Worryingly, it’s very easy. Or is it a worry at all?
Theo opens another door and pulls me through, shutting it with more care than I expected. We’re in a bedroom. A huge, lavish bedroom with a showpiece of a bed that’s probably the biggest I’ve ever seen. Theo gently tugs my hand, takes me to the bed, and sits me on the end before dropping to his knees and holding my hands. It occurs to me that he’s trying to ease me by being at equal eye level to me, and there’s something a little submissive about him being on his knees at my feet. It’s a measured move, but it’s making me worry about what he’s going to say. I swallow and brace myself.
‘Since you’ve been honest with me, it feels only fair that I offer you the same courtesy. I’m going to tell you how it will be between us.’
Butterflies explode in my tummy. ‘You’ll tell me?’
He smiles, his thumbs drawing small circles on the backs of my hands. ‘I need something from you, Izzy.’
My muscles twitch with the need to tense. ‘What?’ Something about the way he’s looking at me, unsure and hesitant, is telling me I might not like it.
Theo rests back on his haunches, his arms suspended between us as he keeps hold of my hands. ‘I need compliance. Total surrender.’ Dark, cobalt eyes sear my skin, his face becoming alive with want. ‘I will treat you like a queen and fuck you like a whore.’ My mouth drops open. He just said that? ‘And I promise you,’ he goes on, ignoring my shock, taking my hand and placing it on his chest, pushing it into the muscle, ‘you will never be in danger. You will never be afraid again.’
It’s beyond me, but I just disintegrated. He’s told me he would fuck me like a whore, but he rounded all of that off with a promise. A promise I can’t ignore but wish I could. ‘I’m afraid of you,’ I admit. ‘Afraid of how you make me feel.’
‘How do I make you feel?’
The word safe dances on the end of my tongue, but I swallow my confession, looking away. ‘Consumed.’ I’m not lying.
‘I’m with you.’ He pushes my hand harder against his chest. ‘I can give you what you need, Izzy. And I’m hoping you will naturally give me what I need.’
‘Want,’ I correct mindlessly. ‘What you want.’
His smile stretches, bright and gorgeous. ‘Trust me, Izzy. I need it.’ He gives a little tug of my hand, and I fall to his lap with a tiny gasp. He encases my whole face in his big palms, so tender, but equally possessive. ‘The first time I touched you, you had me. I’ll never be able to explain how it felt. How it feels now.’ His eyes scan my face, his thumbs stroking gently over my cheeks. ‘My skin on yours, I crave it. But I need controlled environments.’
‘Why?’ I ask, accepting his soft kiss on my lips.
