“As plain Jane, she had far more to risk than Lady Mystère did. Behind her mask she could be the mistress of his darkest desires, but without it there were consequences to her deception. It was the outcome of her deceit that frightened her. Tobias might despise her for having lied to him.”

“If one plays with fire, one should be prepared to burn, Jane.”“You say that as if I’m in danger from you.”“Maybe you are,” Tobias growled as the scent of her invaded his nostrils...”

“I said kiss me again.” A sultry smile curved her lips. “Would that be such a difficult task to perform?”Christ almighty, she wanted him to kiss her again. And she was ordering him to do so.”

“As plain Jane, she had far more to risk than Lady Mystère did. Behind her mask she could be the mistress of his darkest desires, but without it there were consequences to her deception. It was the outcome of her deceit that frightened her. Tobias might despise her for having lied to him.”

“Do you trust me to be strong enough…strong enough to love you in the way you need to be loved?”

“Perhaps the best way for you to ensure my trust is to make love to me as I deserve to be loved.” At her command, he lifted her into his arms and circled the bed to set her carefully on the mattress. Kneeling at the side of the bed, his gaze met hers, and he bowed his head.“I am yours to command, my Lady.”“Then come to bed, my love. I need your arms to keep me warm and your body to fill me until I shatter like glass.”

“It’s a duress I’ll never regret succumbing to,” he murmured as his hands caressed the soft skin of her shoulders. “It gave me you. I never thought I could love someone so much that I’d be willing to let them go to keep them safe.”