On Her Master's Secret Service (Masters and Mercenaries #4)(78)

How long had she needed to hear those simple words? “I needed you, Alex.”

He moved along her body, his erection pressed against her core. “Forgive me.”

“I tried to get your attention, but you were so far away. I thought that you didn’t want me. I thought that you didn’t want something that he’d had.”

A fierce look came into his eyes and he got to his knee, looking down at her. “You are mine. I don’t care what he did to you. You are f*cking mine. You’ve been mine since the day you told me you loved me, and he can’t take that away unless we let him.” His hands went to his shirt and he tossed it overhead. “You gave yourself to me. You belong to me and nothing will change that except my own mistakes. I should have gotten inside you again the first chance I had. I should have pushed you, even just a little, but I let my guilt keep me away.”

His hands were working the fly of his jeans and Eve’s whole body softened. She likely looked a mess. She’d never been a pretty crier. She went all out, red nose and blotchy face, but Alex was looking at her like she was the goddess of love and beauty.

“I should have talked to you, but I was afraid of what I would hear,” Eve explained. “You aren’t the only one at fault here.”

He got off the bed with a frustrated growl and shoved his jeans off his hips, toeing off his shoes in the process. He just tossed his clothes to the side and then was back on top of her again. He seemed so hungry for her, as hungry as she was for him.

“I’ll tell you how I felt. I felt out of control. I felt lost. I didn’t want to make a wrong move with you.” He touched the scar on her neck. “I thought you were fragile, and I couldn’t stand the thought that I would break you.”

“I was fragile at the time.” She let her arms drift up to the headboard of the bed, offering him access. “I know I flinched when you touched me, but that wasn’t about you.”

“I knew that intellectually.” He ran his hand down from her neck to her breasts, brushing against the nipples. “But inside I wondered if you blamed me. I certainly did.”

She shook her head. “No, Alex.”

“You told me I was starting a war.”

“I didn’t imagine he would come after me. It didn’t really fit his profile. I had to change my profile afterward. He was very direct until his attack on me. Don’t blame yourself. You did everything you could. You left Tommy and Leon behind to protect me.”

His eyes closed briefly. “Only because Warren suggested it. Demanded is more like it. He even picked the guys. It still didn’t work.”

She needed to bring him back. She’d spent too many years letting him drift in his guilt, but now she knew it was her place to tether him so he couldn’t get lost again. “Kiss me, Alex.”

He frowned. “Where are we?”

In bed. So he would expect certain protocols. “Please kiss me, Master.”

“Better.” He brushed his lips against hers before returning to her breasts, his momentary lapse obviously gone. “I love your nipples. Have I ever mentioned that?”

He lowered his head down and sucked one into his mouth.

Eve’s eyes drifted closed with pleasure. Yes, this was what she needed. “You might have from time to time. I think Warren blames himself, too. You two were so close and then you haven’t talked for years. He called me, you know.”

Alex’s head came up, and the caveman reared his too gorgeous head again. “He called my wife?”

So possessive. “He called that day to tell me he was going to bring you home. He promised me he would bring you back to me. It’s why I thought it was you at the door. I thought he’d talked some sense into you.”

“I was stubborn, Eve.” He looked up, pulling his body along hers, chest to chest, their legs entangled. “I need to hear the words. I need to hear you forgive me.”

She reached for him, her hands cupping his face. It had been forever since they had just looked into each other’s eyes. How had she let him slip away? How had she allowed him to drift away when he’d been the only reason she’d survived? “I forgive you, Alex. Forgive me, too.”

He kissed her forehead, making her feel precious. “Always, angel. I promise to put you first from now on. I know you don’t think this can really work, but I’m going to show you. And I am definitely going to reclaim my sub. Starting now.”

Eve gasped a little as Alex moved quickly, flipping her over.

“Hands and knees, Eve. Tonight you’re all mine.”

Every cell in her body came to life because he was wrong about one thing. She was starting to believe it could work.

They just might be able to start over again.





Chapter Twelve


Alex stared at her for a moment. She was right where he wanted her, on her hands and knees, waiting for his instructions. God, they had wasted so much time, mired in their own miseries when all they’d needed was to reach out and hold on to one another.

“Do you really forgive me?” He knew what her answer was going to be, but somehow he needed to hear it again.

“Alex, I love you.”

Something changed inside him. Something fundamental shifted with her words. “I think we should go home. I’ll call Warren and turn this whole thing over to him.”