Empowered [Sexual Magic 3] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Jennifer August Read Free Book Online

her hands.
    “Oh, my God,” Gabriel whispered, dropping the whip. “What have I done?”

Chapter Four
     
    “It was my fault, Noah,” Madelyn said.
    “I know,” he said with a growl. “Keep your head down and be still. I’m not done here.”
    “What is taking so long?” she demanded.
    Noah smacked her butt. “It’s only been a couple of minutes.”
    Madelyn shook her head. “Two minutes is longer than normal.” She thought about it for a second and realized he was probably so rattled by the accident that he couldn’t properly concentrate.
    “Zip it, Maddie. Let me work here.”
    His curt tone told her she was right. She rolled to her side and glared at him. “You still blame him.”
    Noah’s gaze flashed just as angrily as hers. “Hell yes.” Then his gaze fell away and she sucked in a deep breath and sat all the way up.
    “Lie down,” he said.
    “Hush,” she soothed, cupping his shoulder. “I think it is yourself you blame instead, non ?”
    He sank onto the bed beside her, head bowed. His fingers twisted the washcloth, mangling it into a tight rope.
    Madelyn’s heart ached for him. Without a doubt, her strong Dom was remembering the disaster that was Krista. She lifted his chin and scooted closer.
    “I’m fine, Noah. It’s a scratch, nothing more. Stop torturing yourself.”
    His green eyes deepened with sorrow and regret. “I swore I’d never allow you to be hurt again.”
    “ Chéri , you can’t prevent it. This is the nature of our existence.” She swayed into him, nudging him with her elbow, and gave him an impish grin. “Besides, I like it.”
    He shoved off the bed, raked his fingers through his hair, and stood there, staring out the window, back stiff. “Don’t make a joke, Madelyn. Not about this.”
    Her anger unfurled, and she rose stiffly, reaching for and sliding into her satin dressing gown. “I am an adult, Noah. I choose this life. I live this role. Being Dom does not give you the right to limit me. You agreed to this long ago.”
    A tremor ran over him and her heart melted. She hated to see him in such anguish. Will he never forgive himself?
    The silence stretched into taut discomfort, and Madelyn sighed. “You are the most stubborn cochon . I don’t know why I put up with you.”
    He turned slowly and she was vastly relieved to find some of the haunted look gone from his eyes. “Did you just call me a pig?”
    She scrunched her nose and shrugged. “Perhaps. English is not my first language, chéri .”
    “Uh-huh.” He stepped closer, and she suppressed her own shiver of anticipation.
    How does he make just two paces seem so erotically threatening?
    Noah cupped her chin, caressing her bottom lip with his thumb. “I will always look out for you, Madelyn, even when you do not wish it. However, I also know your boundaries and needs are greater than I can always accommodate. I only ask for you to use caution and common sense.”
    She gripped his wrist, nuzzling against him. “I do, mon coeur. What happened a few minutes ago was a fluke and nothing more.
    “He did not wish to hurt me, he wished to explore his own tastes. Have you forgotten so soon what it’s like to be a new Dom? To be led into the experiences and differences of wielding power for pleasure? He knows nothing of this lifestyle, Noah.”
    “He’s an ass.”
    She lifted a brow and tipped her head. “Why do you say that?”
    “He’s arrogant,” he said on a low growl.
    She laughed. “So are you. Perhaps this is why you dislike him. He reminds you of yourself.”
    Noah jerked away and jammed his hands on his hips. “I don’t dislike him. He’s just too damn sure of himself. Like you said, he’s too new for such egotism.”
    Madelyn smothered a smile. “Whatever you say, Sir.”
    “That’s more like it.”
    She fiddled with the belt to her robe. “Noah.” She faltered, tugging her lip between her teeth.
    The remaining darkness drained from him, and concern once more flitted across his