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Unable to tear my eyes away from the spectacle before us, I ask Percival. “Is she… enjoying that?”
“Look at her face, Spencer,” Percival orders, his eyes locked on the scene. “Different people find pleasure in different things.”
The woman’s reactions continue to fascinate me, and I speculate what sort of emotions she must be experiencing. Fear? Excitement? Thrill? Or perhaps a combination of all three?
“Does this interest you?” Percival inquires, his gaze turning gentle. He’s attentive to my reactions, making sure I’m not overwhelmed by the intensity of the situation.
“I’m not sure,” I confess, feeling a strange mix of intrigue and discomfort. “There’s something… captivating about it, but I can’t put my finger on why.”
“Sometimes, our desires can be difficult to understand,” he says thoughtfully, his eyes still focused on the woman and her tormentor. “But that doesn’t make them any less valid.”
As we continue to watch, a growing sense of unease fills my chest. We’ve entered a world so far beyond my own experiences, and I struggle to reconcile my curiosity with my discomfort. But even as I question my presence at this party, I find myself unwilling—or unable—to tear my gaze away from the scene unfolding before us.
“Enough,” I signal, tugging Percival’s arm. The room seems to close in on me as I feel a sudden need for air… for escape.
“Spencer?” Percival’s concern is evident as he looks down at me, his dark eyes searching mine.
“Can we…talk? Alone?” I manage to say, my heart pounding in my chest. He nods without hesitation, his hand finding mine and leading me away from the scene that had both intrigued and unnerved me.
We weave through the crowd of scantily clad bodies, and finally, we reach a secluded corner, just far enough removed from the chaos to allow some privacy.
“Are you alright?” Percival asks gently, his fingers still entwined with mine.
“Yeah,” I reply, steadying myself against the cool wall. “I just…needed a moment.”
“Of course.” His gaze never wavers from my face, his concern palpable. “Take as long as you need.”
Silence settles over us like a heavy blanket, and I find myself studying his handsome features, taking in the worry lines etched across his forehead. Despite his reputation as a party-loving womanizer, it’s clear that he genuinely cares about my well-being.
“Thank you. For understanding.”
“Always,” he replies. “You know you don’t have to stay here if you’re uncomfortable. We can leave whenever you want.”
“Actually…” I hesitate, unsure of how to broach the subject. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”
“You can trust me,” he replies instantly.
“Promise you won’t…judge me?” I ask hesitantly, my heart pounding in my chest as I prepare to reveal a secret.
“Never,” he vows, a fierce determination in his gaze.
“Alright.” I exhale shakily, gathering my courage. “Here goes…”
As I get ready to share the truth that has haunted me for so long, the weight of my confession hangs heavy between us, casting a shadow over our newfound closeness. The anticipation is tangible, and for a brief moment, the world beyond our secluded corner ceases to exist.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Percival
“This is exciting and all, but it’s not my thing. I want to go.” Her hands are shaking and moving so fast I can barely read the words.
“Hey, don’t worry about the party,” I say, placing a hand on the wall, just over her shoulder, caging her with my body. “We’re just having a bit of fun, right? I can always indulge later.”
The moment those words leave my mouth, I can see the spark in Spencer’s green eyes dim, and it feels like a punch to the gut. I’ve screwed up, and I know it. A heavy silence fills the space between us, and I scramble to find the right words to fix what I’ve just broken.
“Spencer, I didn’t mean it like that,” I stammer, my heart racing. “I care about you, really. More than I thought I could.”
She looks away from me, her arms crossing over her chest. It’s clear she’s hurt, and I can’t bear the thought of being the one who caused her pain. My mind races with ways to make amends, to show her how much I truly care about her feelings.
