Hands clenched her midriff, and a tardy night-time breeze at last seeped through the window, cooling her skin.
“Why did he let you live? He has a reputation for leaving no one behind, kills all who set eyes on him.”
Tamsyn gulped, not realising how…different that made her. “H-he was surprised at my strength, said he couldn’t kill such spirit but that he would save me…” She swallowed her breath. “…for his future.”
“Tam–”
“He’s coming back for me, isn’t he?” she rasped, trying to focus on Hades, on his avid expression and gaze of thunder.
Without warning, she was twisted in Jack’s arms and met that same expression. Not in cold oils but in living skin and burning eyes. Intense, earnest…and she craved him so.
“If he does, I would defend you with my life, Tamsyn Penrose. Do not doubt for that.”
His gaze held, steady and true. She nodded, believed him. Believed Jack could triumph over anything. But…
“Th-there is one last matter.”
Her voice had held firm, yet abruptly it stumbled. Throat tightening.
No, not now, she inwardly screamed. She would speak, damn it, even if ’twas barely a whisper. “To sh-show you.”
In too few moments, she would see his expression change from ferocity to repulsion, or even worse pity. And she needed all her strength, all her spirit to face it. To face Jack with all her imperfections.
He shook his head, hands to her shoulders, thumbs caressing. “Tam, breathe. Breathe slowly, my valiant one. We’ll continue another day.”
Trembling in frustration and anger at her cursed torment, words lost, she reached to unfasten her gown at the neck but the cotton refused to stretch, bodice twisted, buttons too tight.
But she would not be deterred.
Gasping, she rose to her knees, hoicked her skirts and turned, straddling Jack on the chaise.
His nostrils flared, eyes flickering, hands on her waist, fingers indenting her cotton dress. “Tam?”
It had to be now. If not now, she never could.
Finally, a blasted button complied and as one slipped free, the whole strip tore away in a flurry.
Jack’s eyes fixed on the bare skin at her throat, and he licked his lips appearing for all the world as though he would devour her.
She would shatter that world.
Tamsyn wrenched the gown from her shoulder, the chemise dragging to display the swell of her corset-bound breasts.
Panting, she followed his gaze.
Not to where she expected.
Black scorching eyes fixed on her heaving bosom.
She bit out a hysterical laugh but his gaze shifted and the laugh died.
She’d thought she could watch. Yet in the end, cowardice ruled, and she closed her eyes, waiting for him to rebutton her gown.
To cover the ugliness.
To say he was sorry.
Kiss her forehead.
