softly, licking salty beads from the top of my mouth. “It’s amazing what can go on behind closed doors. Mitchell was the epitome of the perfect catch. Handsome. Wealthy. God, the man could dance. When he walked into a room, there wasn’t a person who didn’t stop and stare at him. He had that kind of power. We fell in love and I thought I’d grabbed the fairytale. Until three months into our marriage, it was.”
I couldn’t believe I was telling him my wretched story. Other than Katie, I hadn’t told anyone. I’d been too embarrassed, humiliated by my stupidity. There wasn’t a muscle in his body that hadn’t tensed, his jaw clenched.
“Anyway, it was the classic story you’ve heard before. It started with little things that I ignored, trying to buy into his heavy workload and long hours. Then everything escalated. He wanted to control my clothing. My makeup. My friends. And I started to allow him until one night when he punched me once in the face, a second time in my stomach. That had been the day I found out he had a string of women on the side and I let him know I was aware. After knocking me to the floor, the bastard had stood over me, screaming how horrible I was. That very night, I walked out and never looked back. He’s lucky I didn’t gut him. Oh, and he’s threatened to ruin me on several occasions, but nothing he can say will ever hurt me again.”
The quiet was horrifying.
Then I saw the look in his eyes.
He believed he was no different.
I crowded his space, crawling between his legs, forcing him to look at me. “There’s a significant difference between an abusive man who cares about nothing and no one but himself and a loving, dominating man who would do anything to protect the woman he cares about.”
Vader took several deep breaths, the expression on his face chilling.
I pressed my hand against his face, brushing the tips of my fingers back and forth.
“Don’t, Vader. I’m okay. Really. I got out of there and never looked back. There’s nothing he can say that I’m going to allow to matter. This is my life. Mine.”
His wrapped his arm around me, holding me as if terrified to let me go. “I will make you another promise. That fuck will never hurt you again. So. Help. Me. God.”
While his words were just as chilling, they were also comforting. I closed my eyes, enjoying the beating of his heart. “I have a silly request. Can we stay here tonight?”
He seemed surprised, chuckling slightly. “You want to stay here?”
“As long as you’re here, it doesn’t matter where we are.”
While the words came easily, I was still surprised by them, yet there was no place I’d rather be.
In his arms.
In his bed.
And in his heart.
Dear God. I was falling in love.
Chapter 12
Francesca
“Come to me, Franny.”
The glint in Vader’s eyes was carnal. As he stood in all his naked glory, he beckoned me with a single finger.
“Yes, sir.”
“And do you know why?” he asked, a sly smile curling on his face. “Because I own you.”
Boom!
The sound was jarring, forcing a strangled moan. I blinked several times, struggling to make sense of what I’d heard. When I noticed the open front door, I was able to breathe easier, delicious memories of the night before giving me a series of tingles. Vader was already hard at work.
I glanced at my watch, shocked that it was after eight in the morning. I never slept past six, even when I’d had a sleepless night.
Nothing a hot few rounds of sex hadn’t cured.
A grin remained on my face as I yanked one of the blankets around me, huddling in the soft layers as I thought about the time we’d shared. He’d held me for almost two hours, only moving to add wood to the fire. There’d been no need to talk, although I’d wanted to pepper him with questions. Somehow, it didn’t seem to be the right moment.
Then he’d held me all night, waking me once, taking me all over again. I was sore and satisfied.
And happy.
Was that even possible?
But I had to get back to real life. No more playing hooky. I walked toward the window, watching as he cut wood, allowing myself to enjoy the view for a few seconds, sighing from just the sight of him. Reaching under the blanket, I rubbed my hand across my aching buttocks. The heat was still intense. I