Vaughn ignores me for the drive back to the estate. I watch him, trying to figure out this hot and cold routine. Back in the dressing room, there was something going on with him, I’m sure of it. A new kind of tension when he ordered me around.
I wanted to turn the tables, show him what it felt like to want me. But then he freaked out and left, and I don’t know what just happened.
“What’s going on?” I ask, worried.
“Nothing,” Vaughn snaps. He’s so tense, I can see it: his broad shoulders clenched under his suit.
“The dressing room back there...” I pause. “Something wasn’t right.”
“You mean, you didn’t get a personal shopping session with my cock?” He smirks at me, acting casual. “I told you, baby, I want to see you wait.”
“No, something else,” I tell him. “You were different.”
“Quit it.” Vaughn glares at me. “I don’t want to talk.”
“Well tough luck,” I counter. “Because I do.”
I watch him for another minute, thinking back over what he said. How he wanted me to admit I’m his -- only his. As if I could think of another man when he has this power over me.
Then I realize.
“What was her name?” I ask.
Vaughn flinches like he’s just been shot. “Who?”
“The woman who made you so scared to trust anyone.”
He looks up, surprise clear on his face.
“You must have loved her a lot,” I add softly, “For her to hurt you like this.”
Vaughn clenches his jaw. “I’m warning you...”
“Fine, you don’t want to tell me, that’s OK.” I reach out and place a hand on his arm. “But you should know, I’m not like that. I would never go behind your back.”
There’s a flash of agony in Vaughn’s blue eyes. “Don’t say that.”
“Why not? It’s the truth.” I hold his stare. “And you may not trust me yet, but I trust you. Completely.”
“Then you’re a fool,” Vaughn grinds out. I can see a war being waged inside of him, but I won’t back down.
“No, I’m not,” I reply firmly. “I can choose to believe the worst in everyone, or I can trust my instincts. And my gut says you’re a good man. You came here with me. You’ve got my back. So I’m going to trust you enough for the both of us.”
“Fuck, Keely...” Vaughn tries to move away from me, so I slide closer.
“I’ll prove it to you too,” I whisper, placing my hand on his thigh. “Tonight. I’ll submit to you completely. Whatever you want, I’ll obey.”
“You’re playing with fire.” Vaughn murmurs, but I can see the lust flaring in his eyes
I smile. “Then we’ll both get burned.”
But something tells me he needs this from me. If he’s going to trust me, to open up the way I want him to, he has to see I have complete faith in him.
And if that means putting myself at his mercy...
I shiver. Already Vaughn is looking at me like a hungry predator. I have no idea what he’s got in store.
But I’ll take it. I’ll take everything he demands, until he sees he can trust me too.