Uncovering You 5: Confessions Read Free

over?
    I hear footsteps behind me and whirl back. My senses are on high alert.
    I see Stonehart approaching. I instinctively shy back into the depths of the armchair.
    He smiles as he looks me over. It’s a small smile, one that barely touches his lips. But it’s reflected in his eyes, as well.
    He looks strong and virile and powerful. His hair is a little shorter than I remember. Maybe he just had it cut. Or maybe not. I could never see his face in the dark.
    He stops before me and glances around the room. Hatred and disgust fill me at the sight of him. But, beneath those emotions lies a twinge of fear.
    His smile broadens as he sits next to me. I press my back as far into the chair as I can. I do not want him this close, not in broad daylight, not when I can see every handsome detail of his face.
    He looks at me for a long, quiet moment. To my credit, I don’t flinch. I catch a whiff of his cologne. It’s light, almost like the memory of a scent. But it amplifies his personal aroma, somehow underscoring his masculinity.
    To think, I used to respond to that smell.
    Now, nothing could be farther from the truth.
    “Lilly.” Stonehart’s voice is gentle. He lifts a hand to touch my cheek. My strength fails, and I shy away.
    His face falls. His hand drops down. He looks genuinely hurt.
    “You don’t want me to touch you?” he asks.
    I balk. How do I respond to that?
    No shit I don’t want you to touch me , I think, but I can’t very well come out and say that, can I?
    Instead, I give a resigned sigh, and lean slightly toward him, granting implicit permission.
    He gives a sad smile. The tips of his fingers brush my jawline. It’s a soft, gentle touch that makes goosebumps erupt along my skin.
    “You know,” he says, staring deep into my eyes, “Rose has been asking to see you. It would please me very much to grant her that request.”
    I don’t answer. It’s not like I’m locking myself in here. Everything happens at Stonehart’s discretion.
    The thought makes me sad.
    “I told her that I would talk to you and ask what you think of that request,” he continues. He tilts my chin up and makes me look at him. “So, Lilly? What do you want me to say?”
    “I think—” I swallow. “I think I would like that.”
    I jerk my gaze away.
    From the corner of my eye, I see Stonehart’s face brighten. “Good,” he says. “I was hoping you would respond positively.” He takes a breath. “You know, Lilly, it gives me no great pleasure keeping you in here. I look at the state you’re in—” His eyes run over me. “—and can’t help but feel that part of this is my fault.”
    My hackles rise and my backbone snaps into place. Part of it is his fault?
    Try “ all ,” you motherfucking bastard! I think.
    Wisely, I don’t give voice to my thoughts.
    Stonehart rocks his head from side to side, as if trying to see me from a better angle. “But then,” he chuckles humorlessly, “I remember what you did to get yourself here, and that tendril of guilt flutters away.”
    I force myself to meet his eyes again. My strength is returning. I don’t know if he’s serious or not. It sounds like he’s mocking me. But, his voice is chock-full of the deepest sincerity.
    I remember the strength of his poker face, and decide, he is making fun of me. I tell myself not to take it to heart.
    “Lilly,” he says again, his hand dipping down to trace the collar around my neck, “You are so very beautiful. Why do you force me to do these things to you? If only you’d behave —” his fingers come to rest at the soft spot beneath my chin and he tilts my head up, “—we could have the pleasure of truly enjoying each other’s company.”
    Enjoying each other’s company? Is the man completely insane?
    My backbone is set in place and anger starts to fume inside of me.
    He tilts his head to the side and smiles. “Oh, I know that look,” he says. He raises both his hands in mock-surrender. “I’ve said something to upset