Page 51 of Edged

“I can’t help it.” She drank more of the tea. “Enough.” She leaned over Anthony and set the mug on the table. “I remember lying on the mattress, and you put the blindfold on me.”

“That’s right. You told me it was okay.”

“It was. It is. Then you restrained me.” She remembered the feeling of his skin against hers. How the restraints made her feel helpless yet powerful at the same time. The power came from knowing Anthony’s rapid breathing was because of her.

Then he mentioned how he forgot to take her clothes off before he tied her up and how he’d have to find a way to get them off. “You asked me if I was attached to my clothing and said you were going to cut them off.”

Anthony nodded.

Kaley’s breathing quickened. “I couldn’t see, and…” Oh shit. “Scissors,” she whispered, glancing at Anthony’s face.

His features tightened. “Yes, I slipped the scissors between your skin and your bra strap, intending to cut it.” His voice was like warm caramel.

“I thought…” She shivered. “I couldn’t see.” Kaley shook her head. She hadn’t expected this. It was so long ago, well, okay, several years ago, but she’d dealt with it. Hadn’t she? Apparently not.

“What is it, sweetheart?”

“I thought it was a knife.” Even now, she could feel the cold steel on her skin, but she couldn’t tell the difference between it and what had happened to her years ago. Well, damn. Without thinking she rubbed below her breasts.

Anthony’s hands covered hers. “You rub there a lot.”

“Oh?” She didn’t realize that. “Nervous habit.” But so much more. She wasn’t ready to talk about this yet. Anthony loved knives. He was into knife play. While he didn’t seem bothered that she wasn’t, could this eventually hurt their relationship?

“Don’t lie to me, sweetheart. Rubbing below your breasts is a lot more than a nervous habit.” He brushed a kiss over her temple. “Let’s leave this until later. But know this, I would never use a knife on you without us having a discussion about it. It’s a hard limit. Not even to cut something away. I would always use scissors.”

“Thank you.” She relaxed into his hold. “I’m fine.” Anthony didn’t say anything, and Kaley wondered if she’d ruined their relationship.

Chapter Sixteen

Anthony pulled up to Kaley’s apartment building on Friday, surprised to see her waiting outside for him. He slid out of his vehicle. Maybe, if she wasn’t too tired, they could go out to dinner. If she was, they could order pizza.

“Hi, sweetheart.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek, but she moved away. He frowned.

“We need to talk.” Kaley turned and walked into the building. He followed, his curiosity in tow. Once they were inside her apartment, she turned to him, hands on hips.

“You need to stop.”

“Stop what?” He wasn’t sure what she was talking about. “I won’t stop bringing you food.”

“Not your responsibility, but we can come back to that. I’m talking about the way you’ve been treating me like spun glass since last Saturday night.”

Damn, he was hoping she hadn’t noticed. After her trigger last week, he’d backed off, keeping things light.

“I’m not some sad, weepy woman.”

“You’re not.” She hadn’t cried at all last week, and that bothered him too. Emotions were meant to be expressed not held inside.

“Then why are you treating me like one?”

“I didn’t mean to. Let’s sit down.” He gestured to her sofa. Kaley blew out a breath and took a seat. Anthony followed. He’d talked with Max and Jordan on Monday to understand more about triggers.

While neither had experienced them, they had seen them. They told him to give Kaley time to process what happened and not to push. So, he hadn’t, but apparently, he’d taken not pushing to a level she didn’t like. How did he fix this? Be honest.

“You scared me Saturday night.” Showing his vulnerability to Kaley might help her understand.

“I didn’t mean to.”

“I know.” He took her hand. “I’m worried I’ll hit another trigger.”

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