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He gives a soft laugh that works at the knots in my stomach.
“Yes.” Tingles work through from the psalm of my hands all the way down to the soles of my feet. One word leaves my knees locked and my body numb. I can’t move and I have to remind myself to breathe.
Yes.
God, help me. This is truly happening. I’ve sold my body to some sadistic bastard who wants to fuck the wife of his enemy and then what?
I downward spiral into the darkness of my mind.
“Amethyst Stone.”
My mind grinds to a stop.
“Yes?” My lips part and I draw in a shallow breath.
“Where did you just go?” He teases my hair away from my face. He brushes a finger under my chin and just as quickly he moves away. I’m getting better at following the nearly silent shuffle of his shoes over the carpet.
“What? What do you mean?”
He circles me.
“Your heart is racing and your breathing is erratic.”
His voice comes from behind and then in front of me.
“Do you fear me?”
The stranger speaks softly to me, stepping closer. I can feel the warmth of his body brush against mine. I reach for him and this time he takes my hands and places them on his chest. I feel the pulse of his heart.
“Nowhere. I’m here, as you can see.” But I would rather be home with my love. My heart squeezes.
Oliver, where are you?
I shove aside my wishful thinking. I’m not home and this is not Oliver.
But I can admit to myself how much I miss the way his presence made me feel safe. Protected. This man is not him but I can pretend. Maybe the blindfold isn’t a bad idea after all. This man’s voice is close enough. Deep, rough around the edges like a half-polished diamond. My stranger speaks slowly and makes sure his words are heard and understood. Just like Oliver.
“I’m going to touch you again, and this time you will not jump under the feel of my hand. Understood? You have nothing to fear from me and you can use your safe word at any time.”
I shrug a slight shoulder and fall into a false calm. It’s a tactic I picked up from my mother growing up. Never give the other side weapons to use against you. If you show them what you fear, they can use it.
I only wish I was as good at hiding my emotions as she was. I swear I had no idea she actually loved me until the day she left this world.
He steps away and my hands drop to my side. And then he’s back. Warm lips press against my forehead before moving to either cheek. And then the softest of kisses brushes over my lips. I don’t back away or jump. Instead, I find myself reaching out. Slowly at first. When my fingers find a strong chest, I follow the lines of hard pecs that lead to broad shoulders. I continue my exploration to rock hard biceps. He has his shirt sleeves rolled up. I liked when Oliver would walk around our penthouse, phone to the ear and his shirtsleeves rolled up. Sexy as hell and probably what led to me being knocked up within the first month of our marriage.
I trace hard lines of his forearms and stop when my fingertips skim over his opened palms. Oliver liked it when I explored his body.
My heart wants to cry for the love I’ve lost. I take my hands away and settle them over my baby bump. I need to shove the past away and focus on my very present predicament.
“I’ve never done this kind of thing before. Do you want me to drop the cloak and get on the bed?” It’s easier to shut down and put a wall up. This was all about getting my husband’s attention. That didn’t work so now I need to put up and then I can… I don’t know what comes next. I’ll figure out as I go, I guess.
“I’m going to need you to tell me what you want so I can make your purchase worthwhile.” Wow. Since when did I become the ice queen? Even I flinch at the bitterness in my tone.
Two hands come to either side of my face. Thumbs stroke over the roundness of my cheek bones while his fingers cup the back of my skull. I feel captured and slightly panicky but I inhale slowly and force my body to relax.
“I’ve never paid a billion dollars to sleep with another man’s pregnant wife.” A gentle touch comes over the swell of my baby. The sides of my cloak part and the weight of his touch is surprisingly soothing.
“I would say we are on a level playing field, wouldn’t you?” His hands drop away from my face as he speaks.
