The faint sound of the bathroom door sliding shut clued me into his presence. I closed my eyes and let the shower spray run down my face, washing away my tears, hoping it would drive away the filth corrupting every inch of my body and soul.

I hated him.

No…I wanted to hate him. But he was Rafe Mason, the one man capable of possessing me. He could get away with murder, and I’d forgive it. I circled myself in the shelter of my arms, attempting to create a fortress even he couldn’t bypass. What a joke. I failed to crack from being used and beaten—instead, I crumbled when denied the privilege of getting off on it.

God that was messed up on so many levels.

“Are you okay?” Apology laced his words. Rafe the gentle protector was back, not to say I didn’t love Rafe the twisted asshat too.

Because I did.

I loved all of him, and maybe that’s why I was so upset. He’d let Jax lay his hands on me. He’d made me cry, scream, and beg for the burn of ginger to just stop. Instead of showing me mercy, he’d taken his pound of flesh before taunting me with the warm, thick evidence of his release all over my ass. Maybe that’s what I was really pissed about—the throb between my legs that still imprisoned me.

“I took the stupid pills if that’s what you’re worried about.”

He entered the tiny space and wrapped his arms around me, his naked chest flush with my back. “I’m worried about you.” He captured my wrists in his hands, and I slowly unraveled in his embrace as the tension in my muscles melted away. He clung to me as if he’d never let go.

“Don’t be,” I said. “You got your message across. I won’t go against you again.”

He grabbed my chin and turned my face, bringing my gaze to his. “Are you upset over the ginger, Jax’s involvement, or that I didn’t let you come?”

I gritted my teeth, refusing to respond.

“Answer me, or I won’t answer your questions.”

I let out a shallow breath. I’d nearly forgotten. “I’m upset with myself.”

“Why?”

“Because you fucking hurt me, and I wanted to come!”

He slid his fingers down my throat and gripped my neck, holding me inside his gaze, victim to the cage of his body. Water drenched his hair, and God, he was the epitome of sexy. It was not fair.

“Ask your questions,” he said in that gruff tone that made my insides quiver.