Second Debt (Indebted #3)(62)

Don’t let him hide.

My restraint barely existed, but I couldn’t permit him to change the subject—no matter if I preferred the new topic.

Breaking free, I pushed my fingers into his hair, holding him firm. “Tell me, Jethro. Tell me everything.”

He breathed hard, his eyes never leaving my mouth. “Isn’t it enough to know you’ve got me by the heart?” He suddenly grabbed my hand, splaying my fingers over his chest. “Can you feel that?”

My lungs stuck together as my heartbeat kicked into a flurry.

Jethro breathed, “It’s become so bad, I can barely breathe. For years I’ve struggled—my whole f*cking life.”

I tried to take my hand back. I couldn’t stomach feeling the irregular thump of his heart beneath my fingertips. Its rhythm was screwed up, confused…lost.

His face held such yearning, such turmoil. Staring at me that way gave me too much power. Too much authority over his soul.

But it also soothed me—proved that having control in my future was right here—in my grasp. I only had to be brave enough to take it.

Curling my fingers on his chest, as if I could carve his heart out and hold it in my hand, I stared into his light coloured eyes. “Tell me.”

“I’ll tell you what I can…but later.”

“No, you won’t. Tell me now.”

“What more do you want from me, Nila?” he suddenly snarled. “Don’t you see? Do you really need to hear it?”

His fear thickened the air.

Yes, I could see something was wrong. I could almost understand it.

But I needed him to admit it.

“You can’t hide. Not this time. Not with me.”

Silence webbed around us.

Then finally, his head bowed in defeat, but there was relief in his gaze. “I’ll tell you. All of it. What I am. What it means. I promise. I’ll tell you.”





WHAT I AM. What it means.

WHAT I AM. What it means.

The promise echoed in my head.

Why had I promised such a thing?

Why did I think I could?

Because she needs to see the truth. She needed to know so she could forgive me.

I kissed her again—trying to stop her from seeing my fear at being open and true.

Holding her jaw, I pressed my lips harder against hers, signalling that I would keep my promise, but not right now.

Right now, I needed to be inside her.

Right now, I didn’t have the strength.

It was selfish of me to take more from her when she’d only just recovered, but something inside me howled for what she could give.

I needed it before I had the capacity to talk about what I was.

Only then would I find the courage.

I’m selfish.

I’m a bastard.

She paused for a second, as if deciding whether to let me drag her from words to actions. Then her tongue met mine, returning my kiss with a greed that sent my cock on fire.

Her arms wrapped around my waist, holding me reverently.

It was more, so much more than I deserved. My breathing hitched.

Slowly, the kiss evolved into an admittance of feelings and longing. Our breathing accelerated, echoing in the cave.

Needing nothing between us, I pushed Nila away and grabbed the hem of my t-shirt. The water sucked the fabric against my stomach, gluing it in place.

With a tug that sent a wash of droplets raining over Nila, I tore it off and threw it to the side.

Nila stood there, her gaze drifting down my exposed torso. Her dark beauty stole my f*cking breath. Her hair hung like wet silk. The shapeless white shift moulded to her curves, thanks to the Velcro-like ability of water.

Wading toward her, I ducked a little and captured her hem below the water’s surface. Without a word, I pulled it up over her thighs and hips then hid her face as I pulled it over her head.

Her arms fell to her sides, lethargic and weak from what I’d done.

Leaning forward, I reached behind her and unhooked her bra. I bit my lip as the fabric fell away, exposing what I’d been dying to see for days.

Her nipples were pink and hard, pinpointed with the same desire that existed in my cock.

Never looking away, I captured the lace on her hips and pulled her knickers down her legs. She trembled but didn’t stop me. I shouldn’t do this. She needed to rest.

But I had no choice.

I had to take her.

It was the only way.

Her touch landed on my shoulder for balance as I removed her underwear. Her gaze darkened before a slight mask slid into place, hiding depths that I needed to see.

I’d done that. I’d made her build walls. I’d made her hide—same as me.

I couldn’t permit that.

Throwing away her underwear, she stood before me naked and completely trusting. Giving me everything I demanded so damn selflessly.

“I’ll never be able to thank you,” I whispered.

“Thank me for what?”

“For caring more about my own welfare than your own.” Capturing her face, I breathed, “I can feel you. I know that doesn’t make sense, but the moment you give in to me; the moment you let yourself submit…it saves me. I can’t explain it, but you heal me, Nila.”

Her eyes glistened. A soft smile graced her lips as she pressed her cheek into my palm. “Don’t be afraid of me, Jethro. Don’t be afraid of what’s growing between us.”