Protege(72)

Her head bowed and she sighed. Holding her hairbrush in her hand, she whispered, “Will you spank me, mon Monsieur?”

He stepped back, startled by her request. “What? Why would you want that?”

She shook her head. “I feel . . . I need it. I need you to do this for me. Twenty.”

He frowned. “Collette, no. Discipline’s only appropriate when—”

Her gaze lifted, a glint of challenge behind the unshed tears shimmering in her eyes. “Admit that it bothered you, to see me with them.”

He scowled, not liking her tone. “Think before you speak, peach.”

“I’ve been thinking all night. I probably won’t sleep, because I can’t turn off my brain. Why won’t you admit it?”

“Admit what?” he snapped.

“That it made you feel something, anything—jealousy, lust, rage—your indifference is gutting me.”

He took another step back. “It’s been a long day and you’re acting hysterical. Get some sleep—”

“I’m not tired.”

Now she was just provoking him. “Collette, I’m in no mood to play this game. It’s late. Get under the covers—”

“Were you like them . . . with her?”

“What?”

“Ezra and Lea. Were you and your wife close like that?”

Not at all. “I’m not discussing this with you. You’ve lost your chance to be tucked in. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Before he made it out the door, she said, “Why are you so afraid to feel?”

He stilled but didn’t face her. “The next time you bring up my wife, there will be consequences, do you understand? That topic is a hard limit.” He left without waiting for her promise.

He tossed and turned all night, his gaze constantly returning to the door that divided them. It was so much more than a door at this point and eventually he’d have to face his feelings.

I enjoyed it.

The truth of her words was perhaps the kick he needed to comprehend what he’d been telling himself all along. She wasn’t for him.

When dawn finally pierced the darkness he gave up on rest and showered. Quietly, he unlocked the door and peeked into her room. She lay curled on her side, only the sheet covering her and her face hidden by her hair.

For several minutes he debated how to proceed. Perhaps sticking to their typical routine would be the best—show her he wasn’t upset with her.

Returning to his bed, he held his phone and tipped his head against the headboard. “Damn it.” He typed out a seemingly usual text.

Good morning, peach.

He heard the ding of her phone and waited. Like every other morning, the faucet hissed softly in the distance and he watched the door, holding his breath as he waited for her to appear.

The door creaked and his raw emotions seemed to bleed at the sight of her. Mine. Shutting his eyes, he drew back the covers and waited.

The mattress dipped under her delicate weight as she climbed onto his lap and lifted her nightgown. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his chest and trailed kisses over his shoulders. His body reacted to her nearness immediately, and nothing pleased him more than the first touch of her wet *. She was aroused.

He guided her hips as she reached for him and slowly lowered her body to his. Heat engulfed him as she slowly rocked in a gentle canter. Her face remained hidden by her hair and he frowned. Was she hiding from him? “Look at me.”

Obediently, she lifted her gaze and found his. His lips parted at the bleakness hidden in her stare. He didn’t want this chasm between them. Desperate to bridge the gap, he touched her cheek and whispered, “Do you know how beautiful you are, Collette? How courageous? You’re an incredible woman.”

She blinked rapidly and moved her hips a bit faster. The pleasure intensified as his head reflexively fell back and he moaned. She was an incredible lover, skillful and determined to wring his pleasure down to the last drop.

His toes curled and his gut twitched as his release erupted into her. Her skin wore a slight flush and her lips parted as she silently caught her breath.

He wanted to kiss the concerned look off her face, erase the tired shadows from under her eyes, and ease the worry from her brow. But he did none of that, too afraid of what such a kiss might signify or imply.

Swallowing hard, he cleared his throat. “Thank you. You’re welcome to stay with me for a bit or go make breakfast.”

His eyes closed as she slid off him and stood. “I’ll see to breakfast, Sir.”

Hiding his disappointment, he said, “Very good. I’ll be down in about twenty minutes.”

***

Collette was silent at breakfast, hardly touching her lightly buttered toast and letting her eggs go cold. “Eat, Collette. At least your bread. Your eggs are spoiled now.”

She quietly nibbled the corner of her toast without lifting her gaze from the surface of the table. He sighed. This tension was not good for either of them. It was also entirely unnecessary. He had no reason to be upset with her, yet she was playing the martyr.

He placed his fork down with an abrupt click. “Stand up.”

Her gaze lifted, a bit startled, and she slowly stood. Walking around the table, he caught her hips and roughly turned her as he stared at her mouth. Like the subtle flick of a switch, his tolerance snapped.