Page 117 of Criminally Yours

“I’m not the man you first fell in love with. When Finshaw dragged you away, I wanted to end him. I nearly choked him to death in front of you. It was only Bear pulling me off him that stopped me from killing him. I crushed his knee and broke ribs. I’m a monster, and I’d do it again. That I can’t protect you terrifies me.”

He jumped down and moved to the bench. He lay on it, his legs apart, his feet firmly on the floor, muscles shaking. He reached for the barbell, attempting to centre himself as he removed it from the rack.

“This is your way of getting control?”

“Yes.” His jaw tightened as he lifted the barbell high, biceps contracting.

“And how’s that working for you? Because you’re as angry as you were nearly an hour ago. If you want to control something, control me!”

“No,” he snapped.

She stepped closer as he rested the barbell on the bar. She straddled his lap and grabbed his chin tightly. He closed his eyes.

“Look at me. You don’t get to run away anymore. You’ve made me promises and suggested a future. If we’re to have one, I need to see all of you. Show me the man you hide from everyone else. Control me.”

He stared at her, his body taut. “What if we can’t come back from it because you hate what you see?”

“And what if it’s everything I’ve always wanted? You developed these fantasies after reading the books I love. What if I have the same ones for the same reasons? We have a safe word.”

He let out a strangled sound.

“Do you want me to beg, Strike?”

She got on her knees. He stood and loomed above her. Hisrestraint frayed as her big brown eyes locked on his. “Dominate me. Please.”

He swallowed slowly. Her family treated her like she couldn’t make her own decisions. She wanted agency, and yet he was still protecting her and didn’t believe she knew her own needs. “Are you sure? Really sure?

She nodded, sucking her lips into her mouth.

“What are your limits?” he grunted.

“I don’t know. From what I’ve read, I’m okay with hair pulling, spanking, and being tied up, but no choking,” she stuttered.

“Perfect. Stay here.” He turned back when he reached the doorway. “Don’t move from that spot until I tell you.”

Was he going to do this? Heat coiled in his belly as he strode to his room. His hands shook as he grabbed a couple of items. He never believed he’d be able to do this with someone, especially not the woman of his dreams.

He sucked in air when he returned to the gym. She was still there. On her knees. Waiting for him. “Obedience. That’s what I need from you.”

He tucked a pillow under her knees.

His finger stroked her shoulders. When he wrapped his fist around her ponytail and yanked it, she hissed but didn’t complain.

“Good girl.”

He sat behind her, brushing kisses against her skin while slowly unzipping her dress. The material pooled around her waist. He scratched his nails lightly down the expanse of her back, smiling when her muscles tightened.

“How’s that level of pain?” he whispered in her ear.

“Not enough,” she said shyly.

“I don’t want you scared—well, not the bad kind. I want the fear that makes adrenaline heighten your arousal. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“And what’s the safe word, Sunset?”

“Caged.”