Forbidden Craving(90)

They must have come to the same conclusion she had: it was time to choose.

Last time she'd run from this, and from her feelings. Now she squared her shoulders. It was past time. Because, honestly, there would never be a right time. Not with fear at her back, holding a knife at her throat. There was only here and now.

The other women in the palace were well satisfied. They always grinned, never experienced a single fear. So badly she wanted to be one of them.

She would be one of them.

No, there would be no more running. But could she risk the safety she was sure to find with Shivawn for the passion she was sure to find with Joachim? There would be no going back once she'd voiced her preference. These men were too possessive, too determined to be "the one." 

Shivawn focused on her. "I've sensed your readiness," he said, once again at her side. He gently gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. "I know you want more."

She licked her lips, nodded.

Satisfaction in his eyes. "I will never allow another man to hurt you. I will take care of you, pleasure you, make you so happy you'll forget ever being sad."

The perfect response. The words she'd always longed to hear-because he meant them. She knew he meant them.

He added, "The man on that bed will never be kind or gentle or any of the things I sense that you need." He turned her again, this time making her face Joachim.

Their gazes locked, his heated, and her stomach quivered.

"Look at him," Shivawn said. "Even now there's a wildness about him that you cannot deny. He will never be able to control his temper. He will never be able to destroy the demons that plague you."

Shivawn's final words were supposed to comfort her, to assure her that choosing safety over passion was the right decision. But in that regard, they failed. Because there was no stronger warrior than Joachim. He did have a temper, and he did appear wild. Yet, if anyone could fight and destroy the demons of her past, he could. He was just so...vital.

Joachim didn't utter a sound. He simply pulled four strips of cloth from underneath his pillow and draped them over his knees.

A tremor swept through her.

"What are those for?" Shivawn demanded.

"Tie me to the bed, Brenna," Joachim said.

She glanced down at the material in puzzlement...and desire. "What?"

"Tie me to the bed. Know that I have never allowed another woman to do this to me, never will. For you, I make an exception. Because you are important to me."

Her gaze swiftly returned to Joachim. His expression was hard, resolved and hot with arousal. So much arousal. Desire blazed in his blue eyes, burning her inside and out.

"Why?" she asked. "I don't understand."

"I'm not going to tell you that you'll hate yourself later if you decide to be with Shivawn. You could probably be happy with him, and you would always feel safe. But he can't fill the void inside you, and he can't give you the life I know you've dreamed of having. I can. All you have to do is trust that I'll never hurt you. Never. I would die first. These ties will allow me to prove it-you will have the power in our relationship."

"Joachim," Shivawn snarled.

But he wasn't done. "Tie me to the bed, and you'll be in control of everything that happens." His jaw was clenched. "I'm giving you complete..ntrol over me, allowing you to take back your own."

Bondage. During sex. Her wild gaze darted between the two men. "Shi-Shivawn?" What did he have to say about this?

He remained stiff and silent, radiating fury.

"I noticed how you jolt every time someone comes up behind you," Joachim said, "so I'm going to show you the pleasure of having a man there. Later. This time I want to show you the pleasure of being in control."




 

 

This big, strong warrior was willing to give up control-his precious control-to be with her. A tremor worked through her. The revelation startled her, strengthened her. She'd wanted passion, she'd admitted that to herself already. No one could give her more passion than Joachim. She'd admitted that, too, but she'd been scared of it. Scared of him. And so she'd done her best to fall for Shivawn. She might even have convinced herself of it. For a little while. Eventually, she would have had to accept the truth.

All along, it had been Joachim she'd desired. She simply hadn't wanted to want him. He was trusting her with his life. She could do no less for him.

I'm not going to be scared anymore.

Eyes filling with tears, she looked at Shivawn. He was so sweet, so kind and giving. But as she looked at him, she realized he was exactly what she didn't need anymore. A bodyguard. She could take care of herself now. She'd been in this palace for over a week and hadn't been hurt. She'd faced down the warriors, and she hadn't been attacked or even disrespected.