Desperate Domination (Bought by the Billionaire #3) by Lili Valente Read Free Book Online Page A

of emotion tightened his throat. “You can’t.”
    “You don’t get to tell me what to do,” she said stubbornly. “That’s not the place we’re in right now. I want to forgive you, so I will. And I hope you’ll forgive me, too.”
    “There’s nothing to forgive,” he said, sitting back on his heels, the knot in his throat even worse than it had been before.
    “Yes, there is.” She moved closer, taking his hand in both of hers. “I played my part in the confusion you’ve been feeling for so long. I didn’t realize it, but…” Her fingers tightened around his palm. “That wasn’t Harley you were with the night you climbed through her window, Jackson. It was me.”
    He glanced up but was too stunned to form a response.
    “I tried to tell you,” Hannah said, anxiety creeping into her tone. “But you thought I was playing along with the game. And then, after the first time we were together when I had the chance to tell you it had all been a horrible mistake, I…I didn’t want to.”
    Her gaze fell to their joined hands. “Because it wasn’t horrible. It was wonderful. And that’s why I smiled when you took the blindfold off. Because I’d been hoping to see you again for so long, even though I knew it was wrong, and that it was Harley you cared about, not me.”
    “I…I can’t…” He trailed off, still not knowing what to say, only that so many things finally made sense now. Not just the bruises, but the way Harley had seemed so naturally submissive that night, almost like a different person.
    It was because she had been a different person. She’d been Hannah. It was Hannah who had made him believe he and Harley had a future. It had been Hannah all along.
    “Can you forgive me?” she asked.
    “There’s nothing to forgive,” he repeated, hoping she could tell that he meant it. “I should have known the difference. If I hadn’t drunk half a bottle of scotch before I came through Harley’s window, I would have. It was my fault as much as yours.”
    “Not really,” she said, her lips lifting on one side. “But thank you.”
    “God, Hannah, don’t thank me.” He tried to pull his hand away, but she held tight. “I’m glad you told me the truth, but I’m not that man anymore. I couldn’t be, even if I tried.”
    “I don’t believe you.” She drew his hand toward her, guiding it to rest, palm down, on her chest.
    His fingers fit neatly between her bare breasts and the feel of her soft, warm flesh had the usual effect on his body. His cock didn’t care that he hated himself. His cock only cared that he could have Hannah’s breast cupped in his hand with a shift of his wrist.
    But he refused to indulge the urge. Sex was no longer an option, not if he were truly sorry for the things he’d done.
    “Don’t do this to yourself,” he said, his voice rough. “I’m sorry for what I did tonight and all the other nights, but I can’t promise I won’t do something like that again.” He grimaced. “Or something worse. I’m not safe for you.”
    “Who said I wanted safe?” she asked, leaning closer. “I’m not a fool, Jackson. I know you’re dangerous and I’m not looking for any big promises. All I need is one thing.”
    “What’s that?” Her nipples brushed against his chest, sending heat spreading through his core. He clenched his jaw, fighting to keep from reaching for her.
    “Tell me that you care,” she said in her soft, sexy voice. “Even if it’s only a little. Because if you can care a little, then you can learn to care a lot. And maybe someday you’ll even learn to let yourself be happy.”
    Jackson pressed his lips together, but it did nothing to stop the ache spreading through his chest. He didn’t deserve this; he didn’t deserve her, but he couldn’t hide from how much he wanted what she was offering. He was broken and twisted and wrong inside, but when Hannah touched him it felt right, he felt right in a way he hadn’t in so long. Not since that night