TIGERLILLY- THE BRAVO BOYS [book two]

Chapter THIRTY

Frankie Xiao

... THE NEW DAWN ...

"Last night, you liked it when I hurt you." I step forward to meet him by the bedside where he stands and he soon becomes still as his gaze falls to the floor..

"Aye-- I'm rite' ashamed of me' behaviour.."

I reach up to lift his chin, so that his beautifully miserable emerald gaze meets mine, a sea of longing and loneliness so powerful I feel it pulling me in to sweep me away in its currents.. "Why?"

"Because I used you to feel better, in a way I should have done for myself.. I asked you to hurt me without you understanding why.. It was wrong."

"I was nervous but-- I liked it too." I admit quietly as a mouse.. "Am I bad, River?"

He drops to his knees, leaning his head against my belly as he wraps his arms around the backs of my thighs.. "No Lilly.. You're so, so good.. Nobody's ever understood me the way you do.. I'm two steps behind me'self and confused, 'cause I never felt this way before.. I know that--I need you-- but I don'ae dare to hope for you to need me.. I know that you are miles beyond my reach, more sweetness than I should ever get to taste-- to me you are a Princess.. You're perfect.."

I giggle, flying through the clouds, kept afloat by his pretty talk.."If I am a princess, you are my Knight.. Like in a fairytale.."

His shoulders fall and his brows draw together in concern.. "I wish I was.. I have nothing to give you-- except loyalty.. I can't promise you a fairytale-- I've never done this before, but for you, Lilly, I would be faithful."

"What does that mean?"

When he says faithful, I wonder if he is talking about his god but he helps me to understand clearer with a sweet smile.. "It means I'd only be yours.. Nobody else's.."

"Not Amberley?" I hum.. She is a scary, beautiful animal.. I can't quite forget that she and River were together.. Lovey reminds me of it.. When I think about her, I feel bad for her.. But also, I hate her a little bit, for reasons I don't really understand because I don't know her..

She hurt River.. Which makes her mean..
But he doesn't hate her.. So she must not be all bad..

Really, I want to know more about her.. About them..

He shakes his head with fast conviction.. "Definitely not.. I told you she tried to kiss me, but I stopped it, Lilly, I swear.. I don'ae feel the same way about Amberley, I never did.. I never belonged to her.." He takes my hand and turns it over, bringing it to his lips to kiss my palm.. "I will always belong to you."

I chew on my bottom lip, hungrily, those wonderful shivers spiraling down through my body.. Each part of me becomes so aware of his closeness, and soothing soapy scent.. "If--- If I say what I want, will you do it for me, River?"

He looks up at me from his place on the floor at my feet.. He is so big, his shoulders wide and strong, but the way he kneels before me makes him so much smaller.. Like a Tiger cub I want to reach out and scratch behind the ears.. "I will.. I'll do anythin' Mistress.. Please.."

I brush my affectionate fingers through his hair.. "You will never lie."

"I'll tell ye' no lies, Lilly.. I swear."

"You will say what you like.. And explain to me why."

"I can work harder to volunteer my secrets before you have to ask, all of them.. I'll be an open book.."

"You will look at me." When his gaze is on me I feel hot and I love it.. He sees me the way I want to be seen.. The way he looks at me could never be faked.. It's the most pure form of truth I have ever known..