Page 100 of Sunrise

“I hurt you…” he whispers against my mouth. “Again.”

“I’m fine.” Not really, but I’ll get over it. Reaching up, I wipe my thumb across his mouth. “It’s nice to get a glimpse of the old you.”

“I just forced myself on you.”

“You didn’t force it, Alex. I allowed it.”

“Sometimes…” Sophie says, approaching us cautiously, “ravaging someone is another way to heal, Vault.”

There’s no way he didn’t know that. So why does he look so stricken about doing it?

He falls back and stares down at himself. “There’s blood on me.”

It’s mine. We both know it.

He grips the side of his head and falls on his ass. “I’m a fuckingmonster.”

Our Mistress looks torn between who she should tend to first.

“You’re not a monster, Alex. Just like you’re not a machine.” I sit up a little more. “Consensual non consent is okay for us.”

“Fucking hell, I…” He glances up at the camera and shame drains the color from his face.

“Don’t look at them,” I say, wincing as I sit all the way up. “Look at me.”

“I can’t.”

That hurts more than anything. “I knew what I was doing, pushing you like that, Vault. I wasprepared for the consequences.”

“I took you,” he says. “Ihurtyou.”

“Hey, I got a few good swings in.” My joke doesn’t land the way I’d hoped. “Next time, we’ll be more prepared.”

“There isn’t going to be a next time.” He shoves up to his feet and storms into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind him.

“That was too much, too soon,” Sophie scolds. “We’re supposed to take baby steps.”

“Fuck that noise.” I stand up and, whoa, yeah, everything hurts. “He’s gone slow his whole life, and it hasn’t helped him. He stays stagnant in his comfort zone, putting all his effort into the pleasure of someone else. It’s time he takes back his power and gives himself a little pleasure, too.”

Her brow pinches. I think I’ve insulted her.

“It’s not that what you give him isn’t enough.” Shit, I’m an idiot. “But I just… we’re…” Fuuuuuck. I’ve messed up.

“No, no, I get it.” Sophie steps away. “I completely understand.”

“Soph.”

“Can I comfortyouat least?” She sounds desperate.

I don’t want to burden her. Not on top of everything that’s happened in the past twenty-four hours. “I’m fine.”

Dejected, her cheeks redden. I can feel her mentally retreating away from me. From us. I’m torn between soothing her and going after Vault. Juggling two partners at once isn’t always easy.

“Go,” she says, hugging herself.

“Sophie, I…”

“Go, Knox. He needs you.”

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