Oh, gods, he was awful.
Wonderful, and horrible.
It was a good thing she was sitting on the ledge in the pool, or her legs might have given out—even if her feet were healed enough to stand. His hands in her hair were intense enough, but then when he moved to her sensitive ears, jaw, and neck, she let out a shaky breath that was half whimper. Lower and lower he went, the rougher texture of the gloves creating interesting and contrasting new sensations, and she arched against his hand when he explored her breasts, nipples standing erect. Shit. It was difficult to focus on what he was saying when her body was on fire, alive with bright new sensations, and she had to cover her mouth with a hand to keep from moaning.
Was he...trying to get her all hot and bothered again? Because it was bloody well working and—wait, what?!
Briar's gasp was sharp, trembling, her heart thundering. Had he just...? "You...you're letting me go?" She blinked at him, her eyes hooded with pleasure and lips parted with her heavier breaths. But beneath the desire, there was genuine surprise in her eyes as she tried to process his words, his hands oh so distracting. "Just like that? I'm free? Seriously?"
He was letting her go. Giving her the choice. Giving her her freedom. Was his own desire really so strong he was willing to gamble that? But...why? He had been so keen to "rehabilitate" her before, and now...?
Her head spun, even as her breath hitched when he gently rubbed between her legs. She bit her lip and slowly parted her thighs to give him more room to work, and though there was no doubt his touch was affecting her, she was happy just to be caressed. Oh, she wouldn't say no if he wanted to do more, and if it weren't for the water she would have been quite slick—and that wasn't all from his touch. His words pierced straight through her, making her blood run hotter. He was letting her go...
But hoping she'd stay of her own volition. Not as a prisoner, but as...something else. Begging her, practically.
She held his eyes, swallowed hard. "Maybe...maybe I'll stick around a little longer," she breathed, and boldly guided his other hand back to her breasts. "You're making a, uh...convincing argument right now."