Page 39 of Enraptured

CHRISTOS

“ARE YOU SURE YOU ARE UP FOR THIS?”

“Yes,” she answers, but her hand shakes in mine. Her chin lifts. My Jessie is tough as nails. Only she could tame EL Diablo. Any other woman would’ve broken a long time ago. I did my worst; wreaked havoc dismantled her life the same I would a global company. But she’s still here. Standing by my side. Determined to see her fears through.

“I told you…we didn’t have to come.”

“I know. But I’m curious about this woman Alex is married to. Besides,” she bites her lip, “I haven’t been out in public in months.”

“I’m not sure Alex’s holiday party is the appropriate place to get you out again.”

“It’s the perfect place.” I nod, hoping she’s right. We’ve spent the past month making love by day and playing master/slave at night. She’s more than I could have ever hoped for. Her ribs are almost completely healed. But the scars on her heart from what I’ve done to her will always be there. I’ve kept my word. I’m back on my medication, found a good therapist and paid handsomely for a counselor who doesn’t judge our fucked-up love.

With her hand tucked tightly in mine, I stride up the front steps of Alex’s ancestral home in Sussex. It’s grander than mine and that says a lot. “Helena’s money looks good on you.” I tease as he greets me at the door.

“You always were such a bloody wanker.” He comes in for a hug. “Ah, I see you brought her.” He steps back, reaches for Jessie’s hand, bringing it to his lips. But she surprises us both by throwing her arms around him in a tight hug. “Thank you for always being there for him.”

He pulls back, face red with embarrassment. “I forgot how bloody emotional you Americans are. Hasn’t living with Christos taught you that we Brits don’t do public displays of affection?”

“Christos is half-Greek. He’s all passion.” My throat thickens at how much she loves me. How much she cares. I don’t deserve any of it. But I take it anyway. I always take from her.

Alex leads us inside, I take two flutes of champagne from servers. “No condoms, this time?” Jessie jokes, her nerves becoming more apparent.

Alex leans in close. “There’s plenty in the dungeon. I turned it into a sort of private nightclub. Just ask my butler to take you to the ‘candy room.’”

“You’re serious?” My dove asks.

“Of course. It might be a holiday party, but it’s still one ofmy parties.”

“Is your wife here? I’ve been wanting to meet her.”

“She is…probably milling about.”

Alex gets pulled away by more well-wishers, so I lead Jessie further into the old castle. “Was he serious? There’s not really a dungeon here?”

“There is. And yes, he was.”

“I want to go.”

“No.”

“Yes.” She stomps.

“Scusí? Did you just stomp your foot at me?”

“I did.”

My face darkens. I have my emotions back but controlling them is a constant struggle. She knows this. I’m her DOM, dark soul or light and she will obey me.

“I won’t put what we are piecing back together at risk. Don’t push me.”

“Fine,” she pouts. “I’ve just never seen a dungeon before.”

“I’ll take you to a museum.”

She rolls her eyes, “What are you so afraid of? We’ve been through so much. Nothing can rip us apart now.”

Uneasiness rolled in my gut. Happiness is new to me. I love her so much, the pain of it weighs me down. Guilt. Guilt is an emotion I never thought I’d ever feel. No matter how much I try to stuff it down, every time I gaze at her when she’s not looking I choke on it.

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