My heart squeezed in my chest. I couldn’t deny he’d done it for me. But… “You did something you didn’t want to do,” I whispered to him, blinking back tears. “You didn’t want those bikers in. You didn’t have to do it, Borden. You really didn’t.”

He frowned and moved even closer to me. I hadn’t even realized how close to me he was until he was completely in front of me, his body nearly touching mine.

Looking down at me, he explained, “The more people I have on my side, the better I can protect you. When you’ve got something to lose, everything changes. You’re right, I didn’t want to give them the port, but my want for you outweighs that. Can’t you see that?”

I nodded. “Yes, I can see that now, but…”

“But what?”

“I guess I needed to hear it. That you care about me.”

That you love me.

Pressing his front against mine, he cupped my cheek, tracing his thumb along the outline of my face and to my long hair. He combed through it with his eyes pinned to the long strands running through his fingers. His warmth enveloped me, quieting my fears. I sank into him, pressing my face against his chest before he wrapped his arms around me.

“This isn’t easy for me,” he whispered in my ear, running his fingers down my spine, leaving tingles behind. “I’ve never been in a real relationship before. I’m trying, and despite all that you heard, I’m the same dick that chased after you, that forced you to work for me, that scared off that lady-boy that thought he could pack cock gloves in his wallet like he had a chance with you. I did all that while trying to get my head wrapped around the strange addiction you are to me.”

An addiction. I was an addiction to him, just as he was to me. It felt damn good hearing it. “Don’t forget what you did to Joel,” I murmured.

“He was dining with a woman I wanted, and he had seedy intentions that would make you hurl on the spot. The little dick deserved what he got.”

I didn’t want to laugh, but I couldn’t help it. I shook in his grip, stifling the sound as best I could. Pulling away, I looked up at him and saw the amusement in his eyes, but also a softness I was slowly getting used to. Like the flip of a switch, I felt better. It should have unsettled me how fast he could reverse my emotions, but I was grateful for his ability. It meant he didn’t frighten me anymore. Not in this moment, anyway. My heart didn’t care what he did. It was too busy enjoying the high of him. And maybe that was wrong, but my feelings didn’t operate on right and wrong these days.

He dropped his head to mine and kissed me. It was another soft, heart melting kiss, one that made my body drunk on lust. His tongue darted out, lapping at mine languidly. He stole my breath away, sucking it out of me and into his lungs, kissing me deeper as the seconds passed. Then he pulled back, his chest rising and falling faster as he stared into my eyes with that look again. “Come on,” he whispered, taking my hand. “Let’s go to bed.”

My body unwound from tonight’s events as he led me all the way there with my hand in his. Once we were inside the dark room, he let go of my hand and turned to me. He was a large silhouette in front of me, already dominating the room with his sinister presence as he trailed his eyes over me.

“Put your arms up,” Borden softly demanded.

I did as I was told and he moved closer to me. With a kiss on top of my nose, he carefully peeled my top off and let it drop beside our feet. I felt his finger trail the curve of my breasts, and when he reached the middle, he dug two fingers in my bra and pulled out my concealed switchblade. I saw his devilish smirk in the dark, and he muttered, “That’s my girl,” before tossing it on the dresser nearby.

He unclasped my bra, giving me another swift kiss, this time on the corner of my mouth before he let that too drop. He didn’t cup my breasts or touch me sexually. He simply bent down and proceeded to pull my jeans off of me. I watched him with a small, inquisitive smile.

“What are you doing?” I asked him.

“Stripping my woman naked,” he answered, proceeding with my underwear. “What else does it look like?”

His hands roamed delicately down my legs, bringing the underwear to my ankles. I felt his hot breaths on my inner thigh, and for a moment he stared at my sex. I waited for him to do something, like bury his face between my legs with his hot wet mouth, grab me by the hips, or…something! Instead, he pulled away and stood back up, leaving me completely nude and…a little disappointed.

Then he began to take his own clothes off, and it was never old seeing his bare torso, at all the tattoos and solid tan skin. His abs strained as he threw the sweater in a basket by the ensuite bathroom, and even in the darkness I could see the trail of hair leading beneath his jeans. By now, he’d have ordered me to do something, like bend over or get on my knees. He did nothing, though. As he started to unbutton his jeans, he caught my look of confusion and smiled at me.

“I’m not doing this for sex, doll,” he told me. “Your tight little pussy needs a rest for at least another ten hours anyway.”

“That’s not for you to decide.” Ugh, I actually sounded pouty.

“When I pounded you silly in the shower, you grimaced because you felt some pain.”

“I like pain.”

He chuckled. “While that’s a fucking huge turn on, I’m still not getting us naked for sex.”

“So why are you doing this then?” I wondered.

“I just like the feeling of my skin pressed against yours.”

My heart skipped a beat. I studied him in the silence that followed. Was he being sarcastic? I waited for something else, but nothing followed. He was being completely serious, and sadly that only made me want to get ravaged by him some more.

It was purposely chilly in the room, just the way he liked it. He brought me into bed and I snuggled under the covers, my back against his front. His warmth seeped into my bones, and I sagged into the most comfortable mattress known to mankind against the warmest wall of a man.

This felt right.

With his arm wrapped around me, his fingers entwined in mine. For a while, it was just this. Silence, warmth, quiet breaths. It seemed almost criminal to be in bed with a naked Borden and not touch him indecently, but I liked the intimacy without the heavy touching just the same.

“I really didn’t like that biker,” I finally murmured, my eyes opening. “I’m not sure you should trust him.”