Page 93 of Dare To Fall

Her gaze drops to my mouth and then returns to my eyes. “What else have you eaten?”

“I had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich yesterday for lunch.”

She frowns at me but doesn’t say anything else. I eat my cereal while she makes toast, then takes the seat beside me. Neither of us speak. I wouldn’t say we eat in a companionable silence because tension is thick in the air. I’m not sure whether it’s because she’s waiting for me to do or say something, or because she feels awkward about climbing into bed with me during the storm.

When I stand to walk across to the sink, she grabs my arm. I stop and look at her.

“What do you want from me?” It’s not the first time she’s asked me that question. I have the impression it’s one she’ll continue to repeat until she hears what she wants to hear, or she believes the answers I give her.

My gaze tracks over her face, and I set down the bowl so I can brush a finger over her lips. “Whatever you’re willing to give me.”

She opens her mouth, drawing in a breath to speak and I shake my head.

“No, hear me out. If you want to talk, we’ll do that. I’ll talk about anything you want; answer any questions you have. If you want to fight, we can fight. Hit me. Scream at me. Whatever you need to get it out. If you want silence, I’ll stay quiet. If you want to be left alone, I’ll stay in my room. Other than needing you to stay here and not walk through the woods alone, you’re in control here, Ari. Whatever you want, that’s what I’ll do.”

“What do you want?”

I flick my lip ring with my tongue. “I want you to forgive me. I want you to give me a second chance. I want you to trust me. But I know it’s not going to be easy, and I know I need to earn it. I just need to know I have a chance.”

Chapter 62

Arabella

He wants me to forgive him after everything that’s happened?

I search his expression, but he doesn’t grin or smile.

“I’m really in control, and you’ll do whatever I want?”

Eli nods. “Anything.”

A tiny voice in my head reminds me of how he’d held me last night during the storm. How he’d comforted me when I needed it. But now it’s daylight and the storm has gone, and the anger and humiliation I’ve had to endure at his hands for weeks are stronger.

I fold my arms and raise my chin. “Get on your knees and kiss my shoes.”

Something I can’t define flickers in his eyes, but he doesn’t move.

I shake my head and laugh. “So, it was all bullshi—”

Eli descends to the floor to kneel in front of me. Shocked, all I can do is watch as he places his hands on the wood and lowers further until he plants his lips on my shoe. Sitting back on his heels, he stares up at me.

“Anything else?”

“You did it.”

“I’m serious, Ari. Whatever it takes to get you to forgive me, I’ll do it.”

His words have my heart doing a weird little flip-flop in my chest, but I ignore it. I’m not about to forgive him with a snap of a finger. Not after all the pain and misery he put me through.

I chew on my bottom lip for a second. “Okay, I want you to be my devoted servant for the next two days.”

He’s still on the floor at my feet, watching me, a lock of hair curling on his forehead, his stunning face tipped up to me. Eli looks like a beautiful angel, but I’m aware of the darkness that lurks beneath. I’ve touched it, tasted it, and been branded by it so many times that it’s now a permanent scar beneath my skin. I wait for him to disagree, to protest, but he doesn’t.

He smiles. “I can do that.”

“You’re agreeing to do whatever I command for forty-eight hours?”

“If that’s what you want, Kitten. I’m all yours.” The slight huskiness of his voice has my body tingling and my heart flip-flopping a second time.

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