“She’s stripped raw, laid bare,” I whisper. “She’s utterly vulnerable to him. Having submitted her whole being over to him, she’s now free to indulge in the ecstasy which comes from that liberating relinquishing of control.”

She shudders next to me, and my eyes follow the trail of her hand upward. Farther and farther—so painstakingly slow—until she’s there. Her head lolls to the side, her eyes close, and we’re lost together as she caresses herself through the thin barrier of her black panties.

“I wish I could have that,” she admits, so low, and my whole body is piqued, awaiting her next admission.

“What do you need?” I ask, my fingers curled so tightly around my jeans they ache, could shred the fuckers. My dick is so hard, I swear, it’s going to rip straight through my jeans.

“To be free,” she whispers.

I squeeze my eyes closed against the severe quake that her softly spoken words elicit. “Slide your panties aside.”

I’m just in control enough to open my eyes and witness her obeying my order. A primal need to throw her down and ravish her—right here; right now—barrels through me.

“Push inside. Deep. Until it aches.” God, but she does. Holy hell, she spreads those sweet thighs and sinks her finger inside until I hear her desperate moan. “Fucking move your hips. Go deeper…”

A shrill moan resounds around us, and the spell is broken.

Her eyes fly open and she stares at the stage, to where the sub is coming with fierce and quivering pleasure as she pulls at her restraints.

“Relax,” I say, restraining myself from touching her. “Let me be the one to take you there. Just like that. Let me—”

She sits forward. Pushes her dress back down her legs. “Shit. I need to go.”

“Wait.” I almost reach out for her, but I stop mid-air. My hand balls into a tight fist. “Don’t run. This is what comes next. Let yourself experience it.”

She shakes her head, shame creasing the tight corners of her eyes. “It always pulls me under,” she says. At my confused expression, she clarifies, “The darkness. It’s always there…with the cries. I don’t deserve the freedom you’re offering. That’s not why I’m here.”

Then she’s gone before I can demand to know more, my beautiful goddess vanishing as quickly as she appeared.

And, oh—I’m so tempted to give chase and beg her to welcome me into her darkness.

The desire to follow her thrums through me with vicious abandon.

I close my eyes, slip my hand into my pocket, and caress the rough cord of rope to drive away the coldness encasing me in my own dark, hollow space.

She will understand soon there’s no reason to hide from me, no reason to be ashamed. I understand her; I appreciate her fear more than any other soul.

Soothed, I open my eyes. I won’t be able to wait until she appears next in my world before I see her again.

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Also by Trisha Wolfe

Darkly, Madly Duet

Born, Darkly

Born, Madly

A Necrosis of the Mind Duet

Cruel

Malady

Broken Bonds Series

With Visions of Red

With Ties that Bind

Derision

Standalone Novels

Marriage & Malice

Cellar Door

Lotus Effect

Five of Cups

Living Heartwood Novels

The Darkest Part

Losing Track

Fading Out

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Acknowledgments

Thank you to:

My amazingly talented critique partner and friend, P.T. Michelle, for reading so quickly, giving me much needed pep talks and advice, wonderful notes, and for your friendship.

My super human beta readers, who read on the fly and offer so much encouragement. Melissa & Michell (My M&M’s), and Debbie for offering me so much helpful insight as always. All the girls in The Lair for reading the ARC and cheerleading. Your excitement keeps me going! I really can’t express how much you girls mean to me—just know that I couldn’t do this without you.

To all the authors out there, my kindred, who share and give shouts outs. You know who you are, and you are amazing.

To my family. My son, Blue, who is my inspiration, thank you for being you. I love you. To my husband, Daniel (my turtle), for your support and owning your title as “the husband” at every book event. To my personal assistant, my PA of freaking amazing, Meagan, who rescued me from the cliff and became my family. I have no idea what I’d do without you, and I hope to never find out.

There are many, oh, so many people who I have to thank, who have been right beside me during this journey, and who will continue to be there, but I know I can’t thank everyone here, the list would go on and on. So just know that I love you dearly. You know who you are, and I wouldn’t be here without your support. Thank you so much.

To my readers, you have no idea how much I value and love each and every one of you. If it wasn’t for you, none of this would be possible. As cliché as that sounds, I mean it from the bottom of my black heart. I adore you, and hope to always publish books that make you feel.

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