Love My Pain (Cape Falls Book 6)(12)

“So, are you in or not?” Edward asked. “If you’re not, then nothing changes. We go back to living the way we have. Your job at the club is still there, but you have to go to the hospital, or see someone, Isabel.”

“I don’t need to talk to someone.”

“I will make sure that you do.”

Did she really want to go back to that way of life?

He had been sweet, charming, and she had loved every second of his company, but she had always wanted more. To a point, she found herself feeling greedy. She wanted him so badly. She didn’t want to go back to what she did. The cutting, it didn’t help anything, not really. Even as she understood it, she couldn’t help the feeling that she needed it.

“I’m in.”





Chapter Four



Edward stood at the door to his basement, or what he liked to think of it as, his pleasure dungeon. Before the house had been fitted with furniture he’d made sure this room was perfect. Being a Dom was in his blood. It was what he relished, what he craved. Right now, he wanted Isabel more than anything else in the world.

The moment they had entered their home, she had gone to get her kit. She had never used his knives to cut, and he recalled a small kit when she had done it in the bathroom.

When he heard her feet on the floor, he tensed up, waiting.

She rounded the kitchen, and he saw her nibbling that lip once again. Her hands were shaking as she held the kit out to him.

“This is what you use?”

“Yes.”

The box was small. It looked like a trinket box. It was slender, thin, and completely used, showing the age.

“How long?” he asked.

“Since I was thirteen.”

That was a long fucking time to be cutting. Holy shit. This was like her Bible right now, her lifeline, and she was handing it over to him. She really wanted this, and when he looked into her eyes, he saw the strength inside them.

“No one else knew?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Not even Sophie.”

“How? She lived with you.”

“It wasn’t something I advertised. You were the first person, and only because I didn’t shut and lock the door properly. I protected Sophie. She didn’t need to see what I did, and it was no one else’s business. I don’t feel comfortable with this, with any of this.”

He reached out, stroking a finger down her cheek. “I know, and that fact you’ve given this to me, it means a lot, and I promise you, you won’t regret it.”

“Okay.”

Edward watched as she stared at the box, and he saw the yearning inside her. Opening the door to his pleasure dungeon, he instructed her to lead the way. The light was already turned on, and he followed behind her, watching.

When the entered the large space, he watched as she stood, frozen.

His room was dark red with black furniture. He liked the basic feel inside his pleasure room. There was a small window right in the top corner that allowed in some light. He also had curtains to make sure everything was dark, like it was now. He liked privacy, but he also liked the free flow of air.

“Now, we have not entered any real agreement so you may be exactly as you are.”

“What do you mean?”

“If we reach an agreement with each other, me as your Dom, and you as my submissive, I will require certain things from you. Important things.”

“Like what?” she asked.

“When we want to come here and play, I will demand that you present yourself to me in a submissive pose. To begin you can be dressed, but in time I’d like you to be completely naked, on your knees, thighs slightly open, and your hands with your palms up. Your head can be bowed, and when you’re in that position I would like you think about me, and what I want you to do, pleasing me.”

“I can do that.”

“My focus will be on pleasing you, Isabel. This is not a one-way street here. My mission will be to give you pleasure, to bring more love, joy, and structure to your life.”

“Structure?” she asked, looking confused.

“Yes. Whenever you have the need to hurt yourself, to cut, whatever you want to call it, you need to get in touch with me. I’m arranging for a phone to be delivered here by tomorrow morning. You will have my number, and all the ways of getting in contact with me. If you can’t get in contact with me, you will phone any of the numbers I have provided. They will know what you need, and I will be the one to provide it.”

“You told them about me?”

“It was hard not to. I’m new to this, Isabel. I’ll make mistakes, as will you. From this day forward, no more cutting.”

“I can do that.” She was rubbing her hands together, and Edward took hold of both of them.