Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95187 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
I’m no stranger to using sex as a form of escape. I facilitated it in many of my partners over the years. When they start coming to you for escape, that’s when you have them in the palm of your hand. I suppose it’s a gift of sorts, but I’ve never cared enough about my lovers—or them about me—to see it as such. With this man, though, this near-stranger who I barely know? It feels like unearned trust. Guilt sprouts in my chest. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
He stops short and pivots to face me. For a moment, he looks more like the man I’ve started to get familiar with. The one who studies me as if he can reach inside my brain and map my very thoughts. “Earlier, you said you intend to seduce me. So seduce me.” He swipes his hand through the air. “I’m saying yes, Icarus.”
Unease still filters through me, but this is an opportunity I can’t afford to ignore. Or at least that’s what I tell myself as I climb out of bed and pad barefoot to stand in front of him. There’s a strange feeling in my chest, almost hidden beneath the odd guilt. Something almost like appreciation? No, that’s not quite right. He’s obviously in some measure of distress, and he came to me for a solution. It indicates a trust I haven’t earned. A trust I have no intention of earning.
But turning him away feels wrong.
I reach out, stopping short of making contact with his body. “If you’re serious about this, then there are a few fail-safes that need to be put in place.”
“I don’t care about any of that.”
He truly is desperate. My guilt starts to fade, replaced by a sensation I have no name for. Surely I’m not feeling protective of my captor? That would be absurd. It would make me the worst kind of fool. “It doesn’t matter if you care or not. Fail-safes are what I need in order for us to move forward.”
He opens his mouth as if he might keep arguing but ultimately shakes his head. “Of course. Whatever makes you feel the most comfortable.”
It’s a testament to the kind of person he is that he’s still thinking about my comfort instead of his. He might be in my room, offering himself up to me on a silver platter, but if I told him no with any amount of surety, he would turn around and walk away. That knowledge, more than anything, settles any doubt in my mind. “First, we’re going to talk.”
“I don’t want to talk.”
“It’s a short conversation. I’m sure you’ll survive.” I take a step back and marvel at how he shadows my movement, maintaining the careful distance between us but not allowing it to increase. My next inhale makes me feel more like my normal self. “Tomorrow, we’ll have a full discussion on what your limits look like. But for tonight, there are two things I need from you. First is for you to pick a safe word. Are you familiar with the concept?”
His hands open and clench rhythmically at his side. “I am easily twice the size as you are, Icarus. I could stop you anytime I want.”
“Probably.” I shrug. “But I won’t touch you again without a safe word. It’s required for this kind of play, and whether you’re strong or not, I need the assurance that you’ll use it. You might be something of my enemy, but that doesn’t mean I want to harm you.”
He frowns at me as if I’ve said something revolutionary. Which part? Us being enemies? Or that I don’t want to harm him? My chest pangs at the idea that maybe his past lovers haven’t taken care of him. That maybe they took advantage of this big man and his too-big heart.
Finally, he gives a jerky nod. “Trident. It’s as good a word as any.”
“That will do.” A thrum of excitement goes through me. This is truly happening. It’s something I want for calculated purposes, but it’s also something I just flat-out want. Ever since I kissed him, ever since his knees fucking buckled from the tiniest bit of hair pulling, I’ve spent more time thinking about my captor than I have about escape. He’s so reactive. I have to wonder what else he’ll react to, what else I can do to draw out those delicious whimpers. I’m at a buffet of delights and I don’t know where to start first.
I take a slow breath and try to marshal my thoughts. “The second question I have for you is, what do you need from me? Be explicit, Poseidon. I want no confusion between us.”
His exhale shudders through his entire body. “I don’t want to think anymore. I don’t want to worry anymore. I don’t want to keep pretending I have the answers. Even if it’s only for a little while.” He sinks slowly to his knees before me, his amber eyes desperate. “Hurt me. Fuck me. Do whatever you want. As long as I don’t have to think anymore.”