Page 73 of Silver Sinner

This should be bliss.

But that guilt remains.

"Darling?" Pierce seems to notice immediately and he rises up slightly. "Is everything alright? Was that not good for you?"

I blink, but the tears don't fade. "It was. It was amazing. Exactly what I needed but uhm…" Covering up my past suddenly feels dishonest in the face of the man who has done so much for me and asked for nothing in return. "You fucked me so hard that my mind went quiet and then I started to, uh…"

Unable to remain against his warm chest, I sit up, but Pierce maintains the contact with a hand on my bare back.

"Was it too soon?"

"No." I shake my head, gazing down at the floral pattern on the blanket. "You just… you never said anything."

A murmur of confusion rises from Pierce's throat. "About?"

"I told you I was a prostitute and you never said anything."

"Oh." Pierce gently clears his throat. "Given the… circumstances, I didn't think it was appropriate to quiz you about a time in your life that was clearly still raw. It doesn't mean I don't care or that I'm not curious, but it is linked to what happened the other week. So I was merely… waiting."

"Why?" I whisper. "Why are you so nice and considerate all the damn time?"

His hand moves in slow circles across my back. "I've told you, Layla. You are dear to me. Which means you get my time and consideration."

"But you're…" My head falls into my upturned palms. "You're rich and fancy and good and successful, and I'm just… me."

"Don't put me on a pedestal like that," he replies in a low voice. "I am the same as you, just on a different path." His hand continues to move. "Tell me what worries you."

"Don't you think I'm disgusting?" The words slip out harsher than I mean them to.

The cushions dip as Pierce sits up and his gentle lips press against my shoulder. "No."

"I sold myself for money."

"I don't judge you for that, Layla. Whether you were forced into it or did it for love of the act, it makes no difference to me. Your choices are your choices and they brought you to me, right here in this moment. How can I not respect them?"

God, why does he have to be so nice all the damn time? Like it's some game to him. And yet I know he means it because that's just who he is. The type of man who fucks like a bull and quietly eats at my diner three times a week just to see me.

"It wasn't by choice," I murmur dejectedly. "Not… exactly. When I first ended up there, it was kind of exciting. I was eighteen, fresh to the city like a deer. The lights, the outfits, and the people were nice. I liked the idea of making my own money. Liked the idea of gaining experience. But after a few months, I realized it wasn't all it promised to be. They barely paid me anything, so I was forced to live in the club. I couldn't set my own hours and barely scraped enough to save. Any time I threatened to leave, they always showed me the door because they knew I wouldn't survive on my own. So it was my choice to stay. Always."

A low grumble rises from Pierce and both his arms slide around my waist. "Manipulation takes away any power of that choice," he murmurs. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. I will tell you every day that it doesn't change how I see you."

"You mean that?" I turn my head and catch his gaze as he leans against me.

"Of course, darling. I mean it when I say all those choices brought you to right here. I can only be thankful for that."

I roll my eyes slightly and quickly wipe my tears. "Kinda pathetic that I cried after sex that good."

"Stop." Piece tightens his grip on me. "You make jokes because you feel exposed, but there's no need. The fact that you feel safe enough to share with me is an honor."

"You're always such a gentleman," I murmur, leaning in and kissing his nose. "To think my years surviving at Hearth put me on a path to the arms of such a perfect man.

Something changes, I think. I can't tell if it's my imagination and the fragility caging my heart, or if Pierce really does suddenly tense up at my words. It doesn't last, and he nuzzles into my neck, so I let the moment pass.

"Will you stay with me tonight?"

"Of course," Pierce replies. "I'd love to."

We only break apart to get a towel for cleaning up and to bring the wine into the lounge, then we cuddle on the couch until late-night TV lulls me into a deep, dreamless sleep against Pierce's chest. A sleep that fades when I wake up with a cushion under my cheek and no handsome man in my arms.