Even worse, the asshole had told everyone. He might have gone to a different school but news traveled fast.
Poor little deaf girl.
“That little fucker.”
The words surprised her. But the way he tucked her in against his body, wrapping his arms around her shocked her. This hadn’t been the reaction she’d expected. Oh, she knew that Connor wasn’t that asshole, Archie. And, deep down, she’d known he wouldn’t react in the same way. But she’d been rejected enough in her life to not want to feel it anymore.
It wasn’t even Archie’s rejection and subsequent humiliation of her that hurt the most.
It was her father’s.
But she didn’t want to think about that right now. She really didn’t want to talk about it with Connor. That was a whole other issue that she didn’t intend to blurt out in the middle of a BDSM club while she was naked, and about to get her butt pounded.
That was if he still wanted to play with her.
He ran his hand up and down her back, rocking her slightly. She took a deep breath in then let it out slowly. “I can’t believe I just told you all that while I was naked.”
He snorted. “All the best conversations happen when you’re naked. It’s when all your shields come down. Literally.”
She had to laugh a little at that. Then she forced herself to draw back. Time to face the music. She might want to put it off. But Cardello’s weren’t cowards.
“I’m really sorry, Connor,” she told him. She used his name, because she knew she’d hurt the man, not just the Dom. “You’re right, I did try to reject you before you did me. Because I didn’t want to get hurt again. And it wasn’t fair.”
She dropped her gaze. “If you still want to play, I’ll accept whatever punishment you decide to give me.”
He placed his hand under her chin and tilted her face up. “We will still be playing. And you’re still owed punishment for not filling in your limit list properly. But, I won’t be adding to that punishment. I know how hard that was for you and I’m pleased you told me before we started anything. I’d be far more upset if you’d waited and told me later. I don’t want to do anything that might put you at risk of being harmed.
“As for judging me so quickly and trying to push me away, I want you to know this: once we have a contract, that won’t be allowed. I’ll back off if you use your safeword, but otherwise I’m not walking away, get it? No matter what.”
Yeah, well, he said that now, but if he knew everything—that doesn’t matter. He won’t know everything, and he doesn’t have to since he’ll be leaving soon.
“Yes, Sir.”
“Now, then, unless there are any other confessions, I believe you know what position I want you in.”
Well, fuck.
If she’d thought her revelation might have him treating her any differently, she guessed this was proof he wouldn’t. In her experience, people reacted one of three ways, they pulled away from her, like Archie, the fucker; or they treated her with pity; or they tried to wrap her in cotton.
Connor hadn’t pulled back. He wasn’t looking at her like he pitied her. Just as well, because if that ever happened that was it. She wouldn’t be looked at like she was less. Not ever again. She’d figured he might go for treating her like she was too precious and fragile.
But . . . it didn’t seem so. And that was pretty freakin’ awesome.
His eyebrows lowered. “Ria . . .”
She launched herself into him, hugging him tightly. “Hey, now, what’s this about?”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For not treating me any differently.” Then she let him go and turned, placing her hands on the chair and pushing her feet out wide. And for the first time in a long time, she felt accepted. Normal and free.
Connor stared at her in surprise. He knew that fleeting hug wasn’t a normal thing for her. She might watch over other people, ready to step in to protect them if she thought they needed it. But she didn’t hand out affection.
Yet, she’d just hugged him, and he wanted more.
He studied her for a moment, that firm ass up in the air, her back arched delightfully so it poked out even further.