“We are told to be strong. Wipe our tears and get up. Perhaps we did the wrong thing, said the wrong thing, wore the wrong thing. We asked for it without knowing the rules. Emotions are weak, and so are we if we show them. Some men want us to be the perfect imitation of a doll. Our opinions, feelings, and needs just don’t matter.” She exhales slowly and tilts her head. “I met you. My world tilted for a moment when you looked atme. A part of me wanted to deny it because I had a storm inside me, and doubts of my worth that I never voiced. You stared at me, and something clicked. You didn’t treat me as if something inside me was broken, yet you knew something had happened to me. Yes, you were cautious, but not in a demeaning way. Seeing you work was a revelation. You are fighting for those who need someone on their side, but you never doubt them. Helping you was empowering. You gave me your trust, and it made me trust you even more.
“Every time I revealed more about myself, I waited for some sign of condemnation, and it never came. I’ve laid my heart in your hands, and you’ve held it with care. You give so much of yourself to others, your mom, Issy, and now me. I love your need to protect me. For someone who never had that, it’s alluring to allow you to do it forever.” She moves closer, draping her legs over mine. “I want to protect you, too. Your heart is safe with me, and I’ll never hurt you. You’ve helped me realize I can be all of these things. I can show my emotions, cry, be sad, strong, weak, an introvert, bold, sexy, sassy, enjoy your attention, and still be loved. A woman is never just one thing. I’ve been too hard on myself and have tried to fit into a box that the world has shoved me in. I don’t want to hide anymore.”
“You never have to hide from me,” I say gruffly. “I see you, and I would never try to suppress you.”
“I know,” she rasps, grasping the back of my neck. “I know, and that's why I love you so fucking much. I want to build a family with you. We can continue hunting bad guys and traveling the world. This is my home, your home now, and we will always come back here. I would love to spend days locked inside with you.” She moves away and stands. “Come with me.” She holds out her hand, and I grasp it. “I never thought I could depend on a man, trust a man, ever again.” She leads me toward the bedroom. As we step over the threshold, she releases me andwalks into the closet. “I swore I would never allow anyone to bind me again,” she says, returning. “I’ve changed my mind. I want you to.” She grips the cuffs, and I stare at them.
“Baby, you don’t have to,” I say roughly, looking at her. The image of her under my control is enticing, but I don’t want her to do anything that she doesn’t want. “I don’t need you to prove anything to me.”
“I know.” She smiles and caresses the leather. “Between us, the past doesn’t matter. You don’t scare me. Being bound to you makes me feel safe.”
“Be sure. Don’t do this to please me,” I say firmly. “I don’t need you to submit to me.”
“Ezra, mate…” She steps closer. “Tie me up.”
I narrow my eyes and grit my teeth, searching her face for any hesitation. Her open, excited expression gives me the reassurance I need to proceed.
“Oh, Foxy,” I hum, cupping her neck. “You want my control.” Trailing my hand down the center of her body, I grab the cuffs and throw them onto the bed. “I want my shirt back.” I tilt my head. “Take it off.”
I cross my arms and grin. Her scent fills with desire, and she bites her lip.
But she doesn’t hesitate.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rylee
Ipush his shirt over my shoulders and let gravity do the rest. Perhaps I want to prove to myself that I can fully trust someone. Yet, the thought of Ezra cuffing me to the bed gives me chills in the best way. I want to give him everything. My soul, my body, and my submission. He’s changed how I think of myself, and he hasn't forced it or asked me to change. It’s natural with him, and my fox is urging me to give him control.
“What is your word?” he asks.
“Captive,” I reply.
“You know the rules. Any hesitation, say it,” he orders, brushing my hair back behind my shoulders. “I will not be mad. Your safety is a priority. Once you are in the cuffs, if you have a second of doubt, tell me, and I will take them off. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Ezra.” I wait, standing in my underwear and bra.
“Thank you, baby,” he says softly, running his knuckles down my cheek. “I promise never to abuse your trust or do anything that scares you.” He stares at me, and I hold his gaze. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” I gasp as he lifts me into his arms. “Your wound.”
“It’s healed.” He carries me to the bed and gently places me in the middle of the mattress. “Arms up.”
I reach above my head, and he leans over me. My heart beats faster as he puts on one cuff, not because of the memories, but in anticipation of what's to come. He pauses, looking at me, and I grin. His lips twitch as he buckles the other cuff. I curl my toes as the chain rattles. He’s attaching me to the headboard.
“Mate,” I rasp, and he glances down.
“Are you alright?” He frowns, pausing.
“Yes.” My eyes water, and I realize this is a moment I didn’t think I would ever experience. “You are mine, and I am yours.”
“Yeah, baby.”
“Continue.”
He finishes securing me and stands straight. “Beautiful.” He skates his fingertips over my shoulder and down my arm. “So soft.” He presses his hand to the bed, lifts his leg, and crawls over me. “I want to mark it again.”
“Ezra,” I groan, and he licks my side.
