Page 222 of Saving Her

He keeps strengthening me. Over and over. Constantly making me a little more emboldened with every roughly grated compliment.

“Have I told you how happy I am that you found me?” I run my arms around his neck and brush my mouth over his.

A rumble emanates from his throat, his fingertips tightening on my hips. He kisses me. Gentle. Soulful.

But all too soon he breaks the spell, pulling away to rest his forehead against mine. “There’s something you should know.”

I lean back, seeing the emotion in his eyes differently than I had before. I was wrong. It isn’t exhaustion. It’s sorrow.

My heart clogs my throat. “Something else has happened, hasn’t it?”

He nods. “Torian told me—”

“Wait.” I place a finger to his lips. “Are Tobias and Sebastian safe?”

He winces. “Yeah, they are, but—”

“No. Don’t say it,” I beg. “Whatever it is, don’t tell me. Not tonight. Don’t steal me away from being here with you.” I hold his gaze as I swallow over the lump in my throat. “Please just let me have this moment.”

He remains rigid, his muscles locked tight.

“Please.” I shuffle closer, not sure how else to convince him not to ruin this.

I know I’m being selfish. I can’t help it.

I’m needy when it comes to Luca.

I long for his compliments and even his desire. I want everything he has to give and I won’t stand for those moments being marred by inevitable hardships. For once, darkness can wait until tomorrow.

“Please, Luca.” I tug him forward by the edge of his towel.

He releases an agonizing groan, his restraint increasing my pulse.

That’s the part of him I enjoy the most—his discipline.

He’s much more of a man than I’ve ever experienced. So much so that I find myself lowering, about to fall to my knees to perform an act I’ve never willingly given before.

“What the fuck?” His hands lash out, one grabbing my upper arm to keep me from sinking farther, the other grasping my chin.

“I want to do this for you.” It’s the truth. I’m curious. And maybe a little sadistic, too. Or even self-sabotaging, waiting for him to disappoint me. But at least I’m doing this of my own free will. It’smychoice. Nobody else’s.

“Like hell.” His nostrils flare as he glares. “Get off your fucking knees.Now.”

His vehemence shocks me, his grip unflinching until I rise to stand before him.

“You will never kneel before a man ever again.” His breathing increases, his chest rapidly rising and falling. “Do you hear me?”

I open my mouth, but words fail me.

“Never,” he growls. “From now on, Pen, you take your fucking place on a pedestal. There’s no servitude. No fucking selflessness.”

“But what if I want—”

“Then you find another fucking way. Do you understand? As long as I live, no man will ever look down on you like that again.”

He renders me speechless and grabs my hips, lifting me to sit on the vanity.

I’m stripped bare of response as he falls to his knees before me, his rough hands sliding along my thighs to grip the side of my ass still covered in the bulking T-shirt.

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