TWENTY ONE – BATHROOM SINS

WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS EXPLICITLY DESCRIBED SEXUAL SCENES.

MASON

I look straight ahead to avoid the look of hurt in Mira's eyes. That one look that dissolves my entire resolve, and leaves me feeling like some kind of lowlife.

I do not care about her fucking feelings. I do not care if my words hurt her.

Why then am I cradling her against my chest? Why can't I leave her to crawl to the bathroom on her own like the whore I so desperately want to believe she is.

I think I know the answer to that, and it scares the shit out of me. She's not a fucking whore. She's a Queen. One I so desperately want to break.

I set her into the huge tub harder than I intended, and go about preparing things for a warm, scented bath.

I hear the first sniffle just as I turn to the tap, and freeze. I turn back slowly to find Mira's fingers lifted to wipe away a stray tear. She catches me looking and takes her hands away. Her chin lifts and she lets the tears fall. Tears of hurt pride.

They shine like