Page 185 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two
Just as I finish setting up a shelf of fantasy books, I frown.I love this series, but am I really going to reread it anytime soon? So maybe I should put it lower down. Or higher? Or—
Aclunkbehind me makes me jump. When I turn, Elliot is setting down a tray on my dresser. Two steaming cups of coffee sit on it along with a bowl of fruit. Warmth washes over me at the sight.
“Wasn’t sure if you’d be up yet,” he says as he carefully picks up one of the mugs. “Didn’t mean to scare you, either. You okay?”
I almost give him a default, “Oh, I’m fine,” answer, but I stop myself. Elliot didn’t ask the question as a formality. He truly wants to know.
With a sigh, I lean against my shelf. “I guess I have a lot on my mind.”
Worry flickers in Elliot’s eyes as he steps up to me. His fingers brush over my cheek, and I lean into his hand. However simple and small it is, his touch sends a wave of calm through me.
“Talk to me,” he says softly.
But I shake my head and slip my arms around his neck. Gently, I tug him down until his lips brush against mine. With a groan, Elliot kisses me lightly and grabs onto my waist. His hips press into mine, pinning me in between his body and the bookshelf.
This.This is what I need, not talking through my worries.
I just need to… let go.
It may not be a permanent solution, but that’s not what I’m looking for. Besides, we have Ludo completely fooled. We deserve to celebrate and relax a little.
“Love.” Elliot barely moves back, and I can practicallyfeelthe desire rolling off him. But a question shines in his eyes. He needs to know that I’m at least somewhat okay.
“We can talk later,” I tell him. “But right now, I don’t want tothink,let alone talk. I just want my damn brain to shut off.”
He nods slowly, searching my face. Only once he’s satisfied with what he’s found does he lean in again. He doesn’t kiss me—just inhales deeply and presses his lips to my jawbone. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
His low voice combined with the thought of him doing whatever I ask makes me shiver in anticipation. “Tie me up?”
“That could be…” Elliot hums before squeezing my waist.
“If you want to.” That wasn’t the reaction I was hoping I’d get from him, but it’s the one I should’ve expected. We’re all exhausted. Of course he doesn’t have the energy for that. It was unfair of me to even ask. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t—”
“Sorry?” He pulls back slightly so he can look me in the eye. “Wren, it’d be my pleasure.”
“You… you’re sure?”
“Completely. I understand. Sometimes you need help to get to a place where you can fully relax.”
“But what about you?”
“It has a similar effect on me,” he says. “Do you only want me to tie you up? Or do you want more?”
“More, please. As long as you do.”
“Oh, definitely.” His lips curve upward. “Besides, it’s about time I got my payback.”
Oh, shit.A wave of giddy desire washes over me, and I grin. “I was wondering if you forgot.”
His chuckle is low and dark. “Never.”
I press my lips to his. Elliot doesn’t let the kiss last long, though. When I try to lean in for more, he stops me.
“Remember, love. You don’t get what you want until I say so.” He pulls me away from the shelf. “And I plan on making you wait a long, long time.”
I groan as Elliot leaves to grab some ropes from his room. I’m not entirely sure what I’ve gotten into. Oliver said he’ll tease me for hours without letting me come, but that has to be an exaggeration, right? I suppose I’m about to find out.
By the time Elliot comes back, I’m practically vibrating with nervous energy. He smiles and nods to the bed. When I sit on the end of it, I watch his reflection in the mirror as he approaches. It’s then that I realize that the mirror was probably placed in that spotverymuch on purpose.
