Page 61 of Unstable

BY THE TIME WEfinish “making up,” my lips are swollen, my legs feel limp, and there’s no breath left in me. Was it the worrying him or simply agreeing that caused his reaction? I really need to be certain—so I can mimic it, like…every single day.

Keaton Cash doesn’t just “kiss.” He claims, dominates, and obliterates your entire sense of reason, leaving you wanting more and incapable of any thoughts that don’t include the feel of his mouth possessing and devouring yours entirely.

“Trust me?” he asks, sporting the confident expression of a man who knows the effect he has.

Trust.

I consider it a monumental word. One I haven’t ever taken lightly—especially in recent years. To trust, you must believe infallibly in that person’s inherent goodness, be able to rely on them and their honesty, strength, morals, and ethics. That their intentions and motives are pure.

Keaton exasperates me on a daily basis and takes huge liberties regarding my business and body, not always with expressed permission, but at the core of it all—yes, he more than meets all the criteria. I do, indeed, trust him.

“Yes,” I answer him in a sure, thoroughly considered tone. “I do.”

“Like hearing that too, Darlin’,” he hums lowly. “Then put this on for me.” He pulls a bandana out of his back pocket and moves to…blindfold me with it?

“Whoa, cowboy!” I hold up my hands and falter back a step. “I said I trusted you. Nowhere in there did we discuss how I feel about being blinded and led into a den of bondage or whatever it is you’re thinking.”

He throws back his head and laughs with his whole body, taking well over a minute to recover.

“I love that I never know what’s gonna come out of that pretty mouth of yours. So, ease our way into bondage, noted. Now will you put on the blindfold so I can not show you the whips, chains, and handcuffs nowhere included in the surprise I have for you?” He’s still chuckling as he asks.

“What kind of surprise?” I practically hiss my nervous skepticism.

“Um, the surprise kind of surprise,” he oozes playful charm. “You’re familiar with what the word means, right?”

“I don’t know, Keaton,” my voice wobbles. “I’m…this…it’s a bit much for me.”

“Henny,” he steps closer and touches my cheek. “Trust me, baby. I’d never push you too far. Especially that far. It’s a good surprise, I promise you.”

Eight years of avoiding human contact of any sort and I’m actually considering letting my once arch nemesis blindfold me?

I give up even attemptingto figure myself out anymore.

“Okay,” I surrender, because I have a flashback of what happened the last time I did so, my lips still swollen. Yes, please. “Fine, let’s do it. Blindfold away.”

He walks behind me, leaning into my ear as he ties the bandana around my eyes and whispers sensually, “Thank you for trusting me. You have no idea what it means to me.”

“Anything weird, and I will kill you,” I feign toughness, every muscle in my body cramping with antsy adrenaline.

“Promise, nothing weird. I’ll guide you.” He takes my hand, weaving our fingers together, and leads me toward the house, his other arm around my waist.

He tells me when to step up, turn a corner, talking in a reassuring tone that provides some much needed comfort.

I hear a door creak open and tense up…but this house doesn’t have a basement, so that’s also encouraging. A little.

“Ready?” The excitement in his voice holds a childlike quality.

“More than.” Perhaps not for the surprise, but definitely for the blindfold phase of our adventure to be over.

He unties my blindfold. “Surprise!”

Keaton Fucking Cash…just blasted down another of my walls and ignited another spark of hope in me that life can be enjoyed. Relished at times.

I’m momentarily speechless…and instantly crying. “You, you did all this? For me? In one day?” I babble while simultaneously pulling off being a blubbering mess.

“I hired a little help, but yeah, mostly. Do you like it?”

I can only bob my head up and down in amazement, too enraptured to adequately respond. My eyes dart here, there, then back again, taking in every last detail of thoughtfulness.

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