Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“That’s not going to solve anything,” I say and frown.
“I beg to differ. We’re having a problem with trust. I know just how to fix that,” he croons.
“Gregor—”
He shakes his head to silence me. “You have too many excuses for not letting me in. I was willing to let that go before…now. You’re using Ally to shut me out. No. I won’t allow it.”
“So what, you plan to tie me to your bed until I give in?”
“No, it just so happens your wedding gift is complete. We can go downstairs so I can show you,” he says.
“We’re not leaving the baby up here while—”
“Ethan is here. He’ll stay within earshot of Chloe. Any more excuses?”
I glare at him but don’t respond. I know he plans to push us both until our minds are numb. I’m just not sure I want to go there.
He leans into me until we are nose to nose. Power and energy rolling off him. I have no doubt Gregor would have made an amazing governor if he wanted.
“What are you afraid of, baby? You have all the power. You know this. This is about you trusting me and me trusting you. It’s what we need,” he says.
I swallow and look away. He might just be right. Dr. Keller hit it on the head.
While I am worried about my sister, I have been using her to place another wall between us. My real issue is my fear to trust. It all comes back to that fear.
Truth is, I’m in love with my husband. Remove Ally from the equation and I’ll be honest to say that Gregor is an amazing husband and father. I love our daughter as well.
Our daughter.
Somehow these two have crept into my heart and I don’t know what to do with that or how to feel. Ally has provided the perfect distraction since we arrived back here to New York.
Has Ally become the child I lost? She may have, but I have a family of my own now. I don’t need to hold on so tight.
When I don’t reply, Gregor dips and tosses me over his shoulder. I gasp and hold on. My jumbled feelings rush to the forefront.
I remain silent as he walks to the stairs that lead down to the next level. We go down a level before he heads for a room in the back of the apartment. I haven’t been down here because he said it was under renovation.
He opens a door and moves into the room. When he places me on my feet, I keep my eyes on him. Trust, that’s what he’s asking for. Something that should be so simple for a couple, but it feels like giving blood to me.
“We could take on the world together. This is our time, but we have to do it as a team. You complete me. Let me complete us,” he says.
Not able to say the words, I close my eyes and nod.
He cups my face and kisses my forehead. “Are you ready?”
* * *
Gregor
She doesn’t say a word. A simple nod is her response, causing me to take pause. I look around the room and realize that I may have been wrong. We truly have changed so much.
This is more about her fears than her trust. I don’t need to take control of things. I need to restore her control. I should have seen it sooner. Yet, now that I have, I know just what we both need from her.
“Open your eyes,” I say. “We’re going to switch. I’m handing you the control. You pick what we need. Show me where we’re broken and how you’d fix us.”
Her brows crease as she stares me in the eyes. “What?”
“Show me. If we’re going to work, I can’t keep guessing. I’ve done all I know. Now, it’s your turn. Show me,” I reply.
“How?”
I wave a hand around the custom-made playroom. I had it designed with all her favorite kinks in mind. All the things she allowed me to open her mind to so long ago.
“You remember the next level of connection we have when we play. You guide us. Reveal to me what you feel we need.”
She gazes at me in awe for a few moments before the lights come on in her eyes. It’s not lust I see but determination. I’ve revealed to her the keys that she’s always owned.
She moves her fingers to my shirt buttons. One by one, she releases each one until she’s able to push the fabric from my shoulders to the floor.
Her hands go to my belt buckle to free me of my pants and boxers at once. All the while her eyes never leave mine. I watch her remove her own clothes, letting the black dress fall to the floor along with my things.
She peels off her panties and kicks them aside. Reaching for my fingers, she clasps them and starts moving toward the shelves and drawers. I watch her curiously, but I don’t open my mouth to offer help.