If I’m obsessed, she’s infatuated—an explosive combination.
I didn’t see her attempt as desperate at the time, but she still made me curious. The more I looked into her, the more I saw her desperation, then I scented it on her in her office.
I can smell her now, that sweet scent of lilacs mixed with her arousal.
Anyone that desperate for answers has demons to feed.
And, oh, her demons are alive and thrashing in our sessions. It’s almost cruel to provoke her, but she needs to be broken, freed from her conditioned mindset in order to accept the truth.
I lower my boxers and kick them aside, then grab the bar above my head. I pull myself up, curling my arms until my chin meets the cold metal. I do three reps at a time—up, up, up—and hold.
I stare at London, taking in the depth of her brown eyes, hersexy, curvy figure she can’t censor with her expensive suits. I see her crossing her legs right in front of me, squeezing them tight, applying pressure to the needy ache pulsing between those soft, inviting thighs.
With each chin-up, my cock grows harder. The tension in my muscles travels down my body until it reaches the base of my spine, begging for release. A fiery burn sears the sinew threading my bones as I speed the reps. Adrenaline races through my bloodstream, blistering my veins.
She’s so close. I can almost hear her…taste her…envisioning her struggling against the binds as her throaty voice cries my name.
A deep groan works free as I complete another rep. My stomach muscles flex as I hold my body up, chin pressed hard to the bar, visualizing her mouth parted on a strangled cry as I tear that goddamn skirt and push between her thighs and?—
“Fuck.” The release takes me. Pleasure grips my groin, and I rock my hips, chasing my orgasm with every throb of my cock. Muscles on fire, pulse hammering, I thrust my hips hard once more to drive the freeing sensation down to my calves.
I growl through the release. The sound of my ejaculate hitting the concrete floor mingles with my heavy breaths, heightening the climax before I let go.
I drop to my knees, palms flat against the cool floor. She’s already fading from my mind as I heave in shaky breaths. I reach behind my head and pull my shirt off to cover the mess, eyes squeezed closed. I settle back onto my heels. Claw at my head.
Every scar on my body is aflame.
My flesh demands punishment, but I cling the fading image of London’s face until the compulsion subsides. Lightheaded and trembling, I savor this feeling before it’s torn away.
With her, I don’t crave the abuse. I’ve enforced it for so long, it’s damn near impossible to stop—but she’s my answer.
She’s my salvation.
My blood runs hot. The chilly air touches my slick skin like a cruel caress, and I welcome it. I drag my hands over the raised scars along my chest, feeling each life I witnessed being taken. Every one of them is carved into me, a brand that seals my fate, a penance I inflicted on myself for the pleasure I experienced during their suffering.
I’m not alone.
That realization was the first broken link in my chains. I won’t accept anything less than her—my other half.
Not bothering to get dressed, I replace the poster. Before the light is gone, I bring her picture to the cot with me. I trace her features, memorizing them all over again.
The cell goes dark, and I slip the photo under my pillow. I run my hands over my forearms, tracking ink that can’t completely disguise the scars. A reminder that secrets never stay buried.
London wants answers, and I can give them to her. The only question is how far she’s willing to go to get them.
7
ENTANGLEMENT
LONDON
Breaking glass.Twisted metal.Ground flesh against asphalt.The smell of gas.
I relax my eyelids, trying not to force the memory. “It’s all darkness after that,” I say, lacing my fingers together on my lap. “Can I open my eyes now?”
I hear Sadie draw in a deep breath. “Let’s try a little longer. Practice your breathing technique. Let the darkness settle over you.”
With a resigned nod, I fill my lungs through my nose. Hold for five seconds, then expel the breath from my mouth slowly. I do this four more times. Each deep inhalation sends a sharp pain into my lower back. My hands clench into fists as I release another lungful, freeing a muttered curse.
