silent because he was imagining someone else? His fingers fondled her sex. Outwardly she breathed
and reacted the way her body normally responded to his touch, but inwardly she tensed.
When his cock pressed at her tight entrance she gasped suddenly. “No!”
He stilled. “What’s wrong?” He sounded genuinely worried.
She quickly crawled away and faced him, only after she’d snatched a pillow to cover herself. She
was on the verge of tears. “I don’t want to do that!”
His head tilted in confusion. “You usually enjoy that. ”
Her head shook and she swallowed. “I don’t want to do that now.”
“Why?” He sounded frustrated.
“I just . . . don’t.”
“That’s not an answer. You’re supposed to be honest with me at all times, Evelyn.”
Because I’m afraid you’re thinking of him. “I don’t know why.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Can we just do something else?”
He frowned then his expression softened with concern. “Did I hurt you the last time?”
“No. I just . . .” The frown was back. “Please.”
He appraised her for a long moment. “You aren’t telling me something. You’ve been acting strange
ever since I found you in the den with Slade. What did he say to you?”
“Nothing.”
“Too fast, Evelyn. Now I know you’re lying.”
“I told him to leave you alone and that he didn’t deserve your friendship.”
His lip twitched as his brows shot up. “You were defending me?”
“Well, yeah. Someone has to.”
He chuckled and looked down. His finger traced over her knee and slowly snagged the fringe of the
pillow covering her. He pulled it away and tossed it to the floor. “I appreciate the sentiment, but would rather you leave that sort of thing to me. I don’t trust Slade and prefer you to keep your distance. Now, tell me what else is going on.”
She hunched into the pillows and looked away. His strong fingers clasped her chin and turned her so
she was again facing him. He gave her a stern look.
Quietly, she admitted. “You weren’t talking to me. It felt distant. I didn’t like it.”
He exhaled and seemed to sag a little. “I’m sorry. I was irritated because I couldn’t find you and
when I did, you were with the last person I wanted to see you talking to. I’ll let it go.”
She nodded and whispered, “Okay.”
He climbed over her and pressed his lips to hers. “I still want your ass.” She stiffened and he drew
back. “What the hell is going on, Evelyn? The truth now.”
Her breasts lifted with each deep breath. “Why do you want to have sex with me that way?”
Half his face tightened. “Why the hell not? Because I like it and so do you. Why are you questioning me when you should be submitting to me?”
“I’m not a puppet.”
He threw up his hands. “Goddamn it, Evelyn. Don’t pull this shit. You know that isn’t what I want.”
This is why she knew she couldn’t be submissive all the time, because there would be days like this
where submitting to him would feel demeaning, and her insecurities would run rampant in her brain
and make her second-guess everything she knew about him. “Not tonight.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you calling checkmate?”
“If I have to.”
Lips thin, he finally said, “Fine.” He stood and pulled on his pants.
“Where are you going?”
“When you’re ready to be honest with me about what’s going on, I’ll be down in the library.”
“Lucian, don’t leave. I don’t want to fight.”
“I asked for your honesty and surrender, Evelyn. That includes your secrets. I don’t keep secrets
from you. I don’t appreciate you being secretive with me.”
He turned and as he was about to walk out the door and leave her there, she blurted, “He’s in love
with you.”
He stilled and slowly turned. “Excuse me?”
Her throat was dry as she swallowed. “Slade. He’s in love with you.”
“I think you misunderstood—”
She shook her head quickly. “No. He admitted it the moment I said it. He’s in love with you. It was
never Monique. His grief was partly for her, but mostly because she was the only link to being
intimate with you.”
His face contorted. “Slade and I were never intimate. We shared her. It wasn’t like that.”
“I know, but he hoped that would change.”
“That’s insane. I’ve known Slade almost my entire life. He’s been with countless women—”
“If you don’t believe me, Lucian, ask him. But you asked for the truth and that’s what I’m giving
you.”
His expression fell as his eyes drifted as though he was seeing events of the past. “I’m not gay.” The
words were whispered as if he were clarifying things for himself, excusing the entire confession based
on his own preferences. Relief filled her at the uttered assurance, but she knew that all along, didn’t she?
“I know.”
He looked at her, eyes sad. “And he’s never said anything . . .”
She swallowed again. “If he did . . . would it have changed anything?”
Shaking his head emphatically, he looked utterly shocked. “No, but it would’ve explained a lot.”