Page 14 of Vow of Darkness
“No. It’s not a problem. In fact, it’s a good thing. I like knowing another man doesn’t have a claim on you.”
I frown. “Why? It’s not like I belong to you.”
“Haven’t you been listening? You belong to me, Aurora. You’ll find that I’m a little… possessive.”
“What do you mean?”
In one quick motion, he grabs my waist and rolls me onto my stomach. And before I even know what’s happening, his hand collides with my backside. Spanking me.
I gasp as he does it again and again in quick succession.
“What are you doing?” I cry out.
He stills his hand but keeps it on my backside. His hand is so large. So… powerful. I don’t move a muscle.
“I am making sure you know that you’re mine. No one else’s. I’m glad you don’t have a boyfriend. One less person I have to worry about killing.”
I swallow hard. “You’re a monster.”
“I am.” There’s no shame in his voice. Gabriel is proud to be this way. “Tell me, Aurora, has any man spanked you before?” He still doesn’t remove his hand from my backside. My skin grows warmer the longer he touches it.
“Of course not.”
“Good. Has any man touched you like this before?” He moves his hand lower to cup the underside of my butt. I startle when I feel a jolt of energy pass through me. It’s almost like… arousal. But that’s crazy. I don’t have any desire for Gabriel to touch me and yet… I’m not moving.
I tell myself because I’m scared he might hurt me but the truth is: I don’t mind how his touch feels. What is wrong with me?
“No,” I whisper.
“Has any man touched you here?” He moves his hand even lower to cup me between my legs. My hips buck into his hand on instinct.
“What are you doing?” I whisper into the pillow, squeezing my eyes shut.
“Answer my question.” He doesn’t press down with his hand. Only keeps it righttherebetween my legs. “Has any man touched you here?”
“No.” I’m not sure why I tell Gabriel the truth. He doesn’t deserve it. But there’s no point in lying. It won’t get me anywhere.
“Are you a virgin, Aurora?”
“Why does that matter?”
“It matters.” His voice is low and gruff. What does any of it mean? “Are you a virgin?”
“Yes.”
He removes his hand from between my legs and steps away from the bed, finally allowing me to breathe in deeply.
I roll onto my back and stare up at him. His eyes rake over my body. It’s then that I realize my nightgown has ridden up around my waist, exposing my underwear. I go to lower it down when Gabriel speaks.
“Don’t.”
I still my hands. My white underwear is on full display for him to see. I can’t get any words past my lips. It’s like I’m frozen in space.
Gabriel looks over my entire body, his gaze darkening. I’m terrified and yet there’s the smallest tingling sensation in my body. I can’t make sense of it. It’s not fear, I know that. It’s something else.
“Why haven’t you been with a man before?” His voice is so low, it’s hard to hear him.
“I just… haven’t. I was busy helping to take care of my dad. I was busy working to put food on the table. I never met anyone I wanted to date. Anyone that was worth choosing over helping my dad.”
