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“Stop,” I whisper, trying to sound firm, but my voice quivers with fear.
“Or what?” Thal taunts, his thumb grazing my collarbone. “You’re not in a position to make demands, Summerbell.”
“Please...” My voice trails off into a whimper as he continues to touch me, my skin betraying my very soul as it lights up beneath his fingertips. It’s like being touched by Ciarán, only with a rougher edge. Ciaráns hands are smoother, more skilled. Cathal,Thal, has less finesse, more intensity.
“Maybe. If you behave, I might consider being lenient with you.”
“What does that mean?” Dread wells up even more, making it hard to breathe.
A sinister smile passes over his features. “Hurting you will hurt him, and that is exactly what I want.”
My chest tightens at the realization that I’m truly caught in the middle of their twisted feud, a pawn, as he said, in this vengeful game. I know I can’t let him win, but how can I fight back when I’m shackled and at his mercy?
As Thal hovers over me, his expression dark and predatory, a cold shudder runs down my spine as he leans in closer, his hot breath fanning across my face. He seems almost mesmerized by me as his eyes study my face inch by inch, as if he’s seeing something no one else can. And then, without warning, he presses his lips against my cheek and drags his tongue up to my temple.
He chuckles softly. “Your skin tastes so sweet, Summerbell.”
The sensation leaves a trail of desire behind, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying not to gag. This isn’t Ciarán, but while my head knows that, my body is reacting as if it is.
“Thal,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “Please don’t.”
“Shh,” he murmurs as he moves away from my face, only to brush his fingers lightly over the exposed skin of my neck. “You may have been with him first, but once I’m through with you, you’ll forget all about him.”
His words send a chill running through me, and I feel the urge to scream for help. But who would hear me? Who would come to my rescue in this godforsaken place?
“Big words.” Trying not to choke on them, I lift my chin defiantly. At least if he thinks that, he isn’t about to rape me. It sounds the exact opposite. It’s confusing and adds to the pressure and stress of this situation.
Thal studies me for a moment, his gaze dissecting me like a specimen under a microscope. Then, with a predatory grin, he leans in close, his lips brushing against my ear as he whispers, “You really want to know what I want?”
I nod hesitantly, dreading the answer but knowing I have no choice but to hear him out.
“Your complete and utter submission,” he murmurs, the words sending a shiver of foreboding down my spine.
“Thal, I can’t give you what you want,” I say, my voice steadier than before as I’m starting to get a feel for him. He operates the exact same way as his brother. Sex and violence to cover up darker, deadlier secrets. “But I can try to understand why you want it.”
He narrows his eyes at me, a mix of curiosity and suspicion flickering across his face. “Why do you care?” he asks, his voice cold and guarded.
“Because…” I hesitate for a moment, gathering my thoughts. “Because I see the same pain in you that I see in Ciarán. And I want to help you if I can.”
For a brief moment, Thal’s facade cracks, and I catch a glimpse of the vulnerability lurking beneath the surface. But just as quickly, the mask is back in place, and he snarls, “I don’t need your help. I need your submission.”
“Submission won’t heal whatever wounds you’re carrying,” I counter, refusing to back down. I know in my gut he won’t hurt me. It’s strange, but it’s knowledge I have and intend to use. “It’ll only make them worse for both of us.”
“Enough!” Thal snaps, his anger flaring. He grabs my chin roughly, forcing me to look into his icy blue eyes. “You have no idea what I’ve been through. What he did to me.”
He?
“Then tell me,” I plead, my heart pounding. “Help me understand.”
He hesitates, his grip on my chin tightening for a moment before he finally releases me with a frustrated growl. “Don’t get all shrink-y on me. You can’t help me, no one can help me.”
With that, he pushes away from me, leaving me breathless and reeling from his touch. I don’t know what to think. I feel like Thal’s reached out to me, if only for a moment, and now he’s gone back into his shell, retreating back into his loneliness.
As if to prove it, Thal begins to pace in front of me like a caged animal, the metaphorical chains rattling with each agitated step. His words are clipped, angry, as he says, “You should shut up now, Summerbell, before I show you who I really am.”
“I think you already have.”
His gaze is furious when he stops pacing in front of me, his hand on his belt. “Oh?” he growls, undoing it and unzipping his fly. “How about you suck on this, so I don’t have to hear you speak anymore?”
