A second cravat of black silk and leather riding crop.

CHAPTER 37

Gabriel approached her slowly, using all the caution one might when encountering a wild creature.

Celia tugged against the cravat, dismayed when it did not loosen one bit no matter how she struggled. A sob caught in her throat as fear clawed its way into her soul.

“Shhh,” Gabriel shushed. Setting the items down on the bed, he reached out. With a gentle hand, he stroked her hair as it tumbled over her shoulders and down her back in a mass of dark waves. “Calm yourself and listen to me.”

“Y-you are going to hurt me,” Celia choked out, straining away from her husband and his dark, solemn eyes.

“A little, yes,” he replied, his gaze unapologetic. “But, Celia, I swear it is nothing you cannot handle. I believe this will help you. More than you realize, in fact.” Gabriel pressed closer, brushing a soft kiss against her trembling lips. “Do you remember your promise to trust me? Believe me, sugarplum, I’d rather stab myself in the heart than cause you harm.”

Celia forced herself to stand still and accept the light stroking of his hands down her flanks and over the curve of her buttocks. “Why do you have those things?”

Gabriel moved her hair away from the curve of her neck as he stood behind her. Soft, persuasive kisses were pressed against her skin. Despite herself, Celia’s eyes fluttered shut from the pleasure.

“I intend on blindfolding you, pet. And I will use that crop on you in such a way you will experience extreme pleasure. You will associate the darkness, of not being able to see, with unimaginable ecstasy.” He murmured his plans in a soothing, singsong voice. The melodic tones were so beautiful and sweet, it was hard for Celia to separate his words from the horror of what he intended.

“If it is a matter of the lamp burning all night that bothers you, I will gladly sleep in the adjoining bedchamber,” Celia cried out in desperation.

“Oh, darling. That is not it at all. Your suffering. Your fears. Your nightmares. They pain me because they hurt you. I cannot bear to see you this way night after night. It is killing me. Making me crazy until all I can think about is finding the man who did this to you and snuffing out his life, slowly and with as much torment as possible.” Gabriel’s hand rose to cup Celia’s throat, his fingers spreading wide as he held her immobile so she could not move away. He held her firmly, his cock a hardened steel rod pressing against the softer flesh of her buttocks. Warm breath fanned her ear when he whispered, “I want to destroy that man, but since I have no idea who he is, I must destroy your fears in his place.” The tip of his tongue touched her cheek, and with leisurely intent, he licked up one of her tears. “Trust me to help you, Celia. And remember your word that makes all of this stop.”