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He looked directly into her eyes, and the raw vulnerability in his gaze stopped her breath.
‘Damion—’
‘I’ve laid myself bare to you, ma fleur. I have no regrets for doing so because I want you to trust me. With everything.’
Her heart lurched. ‘I … I can’t. It’s too painful.’
Fully expecting an argument, she was extremely surprised when he nodded and kissed her forehead. ‘It is a daunting process. I understand. But we will get there.’
We.
That simple word scared her more than the hardened determination oozing from his every pore.
Long fingers drifted up her thigh, over her skirt to the silk shirt. Desire shoved the pain aside, escalating the deep melting inside her. When his lips drifted down from her forehead to her cheek, and finally to her lips, Reiko sighed with the pleasure that stole through her.
Until she felt him release the first of her buttons. ‘What are you doing?’
‘What I’ve been dying to do since I saw you through Ashton’s window last week.’
His heated gaze fell to her exposed throat and drifted down to the cleavage he was in the process of exposing. Another button popped open.
She squeaked and tried to sidle away from him. He stilled her with very little effort.
‘I want to see you, Reiko.’ Fierce determination deepened his voice.
The threat of exposure made ice dance down her spine. ‘I … I’m not ready for that.’ Nor would she ever be ready. Humiliation would always win. She was scarred, both outside and inside. ‘Besides, aren’t you forgetting something, Damion?’
‘What?’
‘You’re supposed to be finding a suitable bride—someone who will help seed the next Fortier generation.’ Pain stabbed right through her, lingering in the empty womb where no child would ever grow.
Damion’s gaze dimmed. ‘That will happen eventually. First I must do this.’
‘Why? Why must you?’
‘I hurt you. I know that now. Give me the chance to make reparations.’
‘By sleeping with me again? Can’t I just say I forgive you?’
Damion shook his head. ‘You think there’s something wrong with you. I want to prove to you there isn’t. Don’t worry, ma belle, we’ll take it slow.’
Another button popped open and Reiko wondered why in hell’s name she wasn’t screaming in terror.
Intrigued despite herself, she watched his face. ‘What does taking it slow mean?’
He smiled. ‘For now, I just want to open your shirt.’
‘Nothing more?’ she asked.
‘That’s entirely up to you.’
With the last of the buttons freed, he gently parted the lapels, his gaze on her face the whole time. When his hand slid over the waistband of her skirt and touched her midriff, every nerve-ending in her body screamed with pleasure.
‘What do you want, Reiko?’
Her gaze dropped to his lips. ‘For you to kiss me—’
He sealed his mouth over hers before she’d finished the sentence. Pleasure exploded underneath her skin and very quickly threatened to slide out of control. Her nipples peaked against the satin bra. Beneath her, the force of his erection probed forcefully against her bottom.
