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“Why?”
“As a reminder.”
She looked up. “Of what?”
He stared at her, not saying a thing.
Something unfurled between them. Something fragile, delicate, and excruciatingly painful. A tear slipped down her cheek. She shook her head, but he stopped that motion and rested his forehead against hers.
“Say yes.”
She had two options: dig her heels in and try to hold back the tide, or she could give in, attempt to ride the tsunami, and come out on top. She had no illusions there wouldn’t be hardships or challenges or that she’d be pushed to the breaking point. Why did a little voice in the back of her mind whisper that the pain and the pleasure would be worth it? Roth wanted to make up for the past. He meant that—she could see it in his eyes. He’d dropped his shield, allowing her to glimpse a different side of him. It wasn’t the man she’d known but the new him—the one behind the mask. Trusting him went against all rational thought, but it was worth the risk, right?
He was making allowances. He’d let her see what he had on her family, which had opened her eyes to dangers she hadn’t even known existed. He’d vowed to help and protect them. Was Roth her downfall, or would he save them all? It was safer to be his ally than his enemy, but at what cost? Her sanity, most certainly. Possibly her heart, but that had been lost long ago.
“I stay, you stop being an asshole,” she declared.
“I’ll fuck up,” he said prosaically, “but I’ll make it up to you.”
“Promise me, Roth.”
“Your family is safe from me.” His eyes dropped to her mouth. “And your promise?”
“I’ll stay.” She said it fast, before she could take it back. And what did it matter? She wasn’t going anywhere without his permission. Not yet at least.
She gasped when he hauled her against him and ravaged her. She let go of her fear and uncertainty and let him sweep her away, reveling in the strength that could demolish and protect with equal ferocity. When he straightened, her legs were wrapped around him.
Panting, they stared at one another.
“You won’t regret this.” His low tone reverberated with emotion. He gave her another kiss before unwrapping her legs from his waist and stepping back.
“What are you doing?” she asked, nonplussed.
“You need another soak.”
“Why?”
“You’re so tired you’re trembling, and you’ve been shifting on the seat. You’re sore, aren’t you? After another bath, you’re going to bed.”
To her chagrin, Jasmine found herself over his shoulder for the third time in twenty-four hours. “Since when do you care if I’m sore and tired?”
“It matters since I got a second chance.” He lightly patted her ass. “And I promised to take care of the jewel in my hoard.”
His long strides made the trip to the master bath seem to take seconds instead of the minute it would have taken her. He set her on her feet beside the bathtub, kissed her forehead, and turned on the taps. He pulled the hoodie over her head, which rendered her naked aside from her socks. She stared at him through her hair, bemused and unsure of how to react to this version of him.
He caught her watching him and raised one brow. “What?”
“Nothing.”
He cocked his head to the side as he examined her before he grinned. “I’ll eat you out in bed after you’ve soaked. I don’t want you to be so relaxed that you drown.” He pressed himself against her so she could feel his erection before he stepped back. “I have a call to make. I’ll be back before you’re done with your bath.”
She gaped at his back. He just put her through the emotional wringer, teased her, and was walking away? What the fuck kind of relationship was this? She wasn’t sure she wanted it.
“I don’t need you to give me an orgasm! I can do that my damn self!”
“Be careful,” he called over his shoulder.
“Depp!”
