Page 55 of Demon’s Temptation

And then Brent dropped his guard—just for a split second, that’s all, but it was enough—and what he was feeling suddenly hit her. A wave of fear, his fear, washed over her, along with so much need and an emotion so powerful it could only be one thing. It hit with force, making her belly knot and forcing her to bite back a sob. Did he…could he…love her?

Show him how much you love him. Give him what he needs.

Sucking in a steadying breath, she picked up the smaller flogger she’d selected and spun it in a downward circular movement striking his upper back, warming him up, making sure to avoid the no-go areas. She then did the same on his ass but in an upward movement, preparing him. His head dropped forward, his breathing growing quicker because he knew what was coming.

When she was sure he was ready, she switched to the heavy leather flogger and tested its weight. “You’re getting fifteen strikes,” she said and let the flogger fly.

It came down on his ass. Once…twice, and a third time. Brent’s rough panted breaths filled the room. She dished out the fourth and fifth, changing positions, striking his ass and his upper back.

With each subsequent strike he groaned and strained, his skin getting pinker.

“Ten more,” she said, positioning herself for another backhand strike.

Brent’s emotions filled the room, mixing with hers, filling her to overflowing, and made it hard to stay focused.

She hit him with more force this time.

“Harder.” Brent groaned. “Fuck, harder, please.”

She did, bringing the flogger down on one cheek and then the other. The heavy thud of the leather cords meeting skin filled the room until Brent cried for more, begging for her to hit him harder and harder.

Every strike’s impact was far more than physical. Every hit revealed more of Brent, his fear, his need for reassurance—how he felt about her. Every bit of emotion behind each strike he received was deeper than anything she’d ever felt.

Her heart was so full there was no holding back her tears and soon they were running down her face.

She hit him the final time, dropped the flogger and, pressing herself against his back, reached around and released his cock ring with one hand and cupped his balls with the other, stroking and squeezing his cock at the same time.

The desperate sounds he made had her biting her lip. She turned her head and caught sight of the two of them in the wall-mounted mirror.

Jesus. The anguish on Brent’s face broke her heart.

He’d gone to a dark place, a place he kept locked deep inside, a place he didn’t like anyone to see. His eyes met hers in the mirror and he silently begged her to help him, to bring him back.

And in that moment, she knew why he hadn’t brought her in here.

He’d been afraid.

He hadn’t wanted her to see this side of him, to see the depth of his pain, of his need.

She couldn’t look away, merely watched as his panted breaths turned to gasps. The agony she saw was unmistakable. He tilted his hips, silently begging her for more, for rougher treatment.

“Please,” he said. “Please.”

She knew what he was asking for. Releasing his balls, she gave one of the nipple clamps a hard tug.

His roar was soul shattering. Trembling and calling her name, he started coming, fucking into her hand while she held him and stayed close, pressed into that big strong back, supporting him as best she could.

Finally, he went limp, head hanging forward.

It took several minutes before he moved. She’d stayed where she was, pressing her lips and running her hands over his heated skin. When she was sure he had his footing, she reached up and freed him.

He hissed suddenly then groaned, the sound filled with agony. “Ah, fuck. Ah, shit.” He stumbled back, hitting the wall, looking lost, destroyed. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” he rasped.

She looked up at him, pale lines creasing his handsome face. “What are you talking about?”

He stayed where he was, keeping distance between them. “I lost control. Oh fuck, I lost control.”

She moved closer and reached up to touch his face. She wanted to kiss him, but he was too tall. “You did nothing wrong. Nothing.”