Retribution (Book 3 of The Dominion Series) by S. E. Lund Read Free Book Online Page B

growing old and dying. For eight centuries I’ve watched while the mortals I’ve known have died. I’ve tried to give you up, but I can’t.” He sighs and leans his arm on the wall, pressing his forehead to mine. “I just can’t . I gave up everything to save you. Don't misunderstand what happened.”
    He takes in a ragged breath and runs his finger along my bottom lip, his mind searching mine for any shred of understanding.
    “You also gave me that drug to make me forget but it made me forget too much," I say, "and I almost died."
    He closes his eyes. "I was trying to prevent you from being traumatized by what happened."
    "You mean remembering that it was you who killed her,” I say.
    “ Eve ,” he says, frustration in his voice. "Let me explain…"
    “Stop,” I say and hold up my hand. “I’ve heard enough. I don’t want to hear any more. I can barely stand to look at you.”
    I cover my eyes, trying to regain control over my emotions, for whatever he’s done to me is wearing off.
    “I’m going back to my parents’ cottage and try to figure all of this out. When you're ready to tell me only the truth, all of it, you can come to me.”
    “I’m telling you the truth.”
    “I need to be away from you so I can think for myself.”
    He shakes his head. “You’re not leaving me.”
    “I am . The only reason I didn't leave you when I first learned that you lied to me was because you had me so wrapped around your little finger.”
    "You want the truth?" he says and I can hear in his voice just how close he is to losing control. "I never had you wrapped around my little finger. If I had, none of this would have happened. If anything, it was the other way around. I could never refuse you . You wanted me , Eve, and I gave in to you despite my better judgment. That's the truth."
    "You gave in to me? " I'm unable to comprehend what he means. "Are you saying you didn’t want me?”
    “No,” he says and I can hear frustration in his voice. “No. I wanted you. God , I wanted you. But I didn’t want you to be in this world of ours. If you had to be, I wanted to give you the choice. I wanted you to be free to choose. You did. You chose me .”
    “That's the biggest lie of all. All you ever talked about was me submitting to you. Giving in to you and your need for control."
    "It's the truth. You just don't understand. You've always had the power, Eve. Not me. That's how it works."
    I shake my head and turn away.
    "It's the other way around. It's the Dominant who has the power. The submissive gives it over. That's called power exchange."
    "Yes, but the exchange is always on the submissive's terms. All of it is on their terms."
    "The Dominant writes the contract. They're his terms."
    "She accepts or amends those terms. She decides how far to go, using safe words. The Dominant is her servant, Eve. He gives her what she needs – submission. The freedom to feel everything without judgment or guilt or responsibility. Those who aren't part of a Dominant/submissive relationship misunderstand." He shakes his head. "Eve, I want you. To have you, I'll do whatever you want. I’ll give you whatever you need. Whatever you need. But what you think you need and what you really need are two different things." He takes my hand and something sweet rushes through me. "It's always been that way with you." He moves even closer, his fingers brushing against my cheek. He looks in my eyes. "You don’t know what you want because you’re fighting for your life, every moment of your life. You’re so afraid to stop fighting and listen to your heart."
    I shake my head, for it doesn't make sense.
    "I really want to be equal."
    "You really want me ," he says, his voice soft. "I know it." He wraps his arm around my shoulders and presses his forehead against mine. "You want to sit on my lap with my arms around you. You want me to protect you. You want to be safe, completely safe for once. You want to be absolved of guilt for what Thompson