Read Online Uncovering You 5: Confessions by Scarlett Edwards - Free Book Online

words I’m certain he wants to hear, but it’s not like I’m making them up on the spot. I’m not pretending. I’m telling him the truth. “You overwhelm me, Jeremy. You’re larger than life. Your presence alone…” I swallow as his hand moves up my thigh, toward the spot where blood is now pooling, “…makes me feel exposed. Vulnerable. Only for you.”
    “Yes,” he says, moving closer to me. I can feel his breath on my cheek. His hand inches further and further under my dress. “What else?”
    “I—”
    I’m cut off as a blaring honk shakes the cab. The limo swerves, throwing me away from Stonehart and breaking the intensity of the moment.
    “Fuck!” Stonehart curses. He turns around and pounds the window separating us from the chauffeur. “What the hell was that?”
    The tinted glass slides down. An unsteady voice answers him. “Sorry boss. Some asshole decided to cut us off. It was a near miss.”
    “See that it doesn’t happen again,” Stonehart growls. The window rolls back up.
    By now, I’ve already pushed myself upright. But my body feels strung out from the release of adrenaline. I feel shaky, and not in a good way.
    Stonehart looks at me. He runs a hand through his hair. “That was… unfortunate,” he finally says. “I’m sorry.”
    “You can’t control traffic,” I say. “You’re not a god.”
    His lips form a thin line. “No,” he agrees. “That I am not.”
    I feel a distance developing between us. I don’t know whether to be thankful or disappointed.
    He moves to his original seat across from me. His jaw is set as his eyes take me in.
    “We have to go over the rules of tonight’s engagement,” he says.
    “Oh.” My voice is small. “I see.”
    “I hate taking you out of the moment—but it is necessary.”
    “I understand.” Secretly, I wish that his body were still beside me, with his hand crawling up my leg.
    I straighten my shoulders to show him that I’m paying attention. “Tell me your rules for my behavior.”
    “They’re simple,” he says. “I find simplicity is best when dealing with complex situations. One. When you are at my side, you are not to speak to anyone other than me. If you are asked a question, you may respond with a single-word answer. Yes or no will do. I will handle anything more complicated. All you need to do is smile.”
    “Okay,” I say. “That makes sense. I can do that.”
    “Two. I’ve taken measures to ensure that there are no…” he moves his tongue over his teeth, searching for the right word, “… temptations for you, at the restaurant tonight. You understand that you must not reveal the details or your relationship with me to anyone. Furthermore, the ban on news of the outside world still stands. You will find no televisions or newspapers inside. Current events should be of no concern or interest to you. Do you understand?”
    I understand that calculating Stonehart is back , I think. “Yes,” I tell him.
    “Third. I want you to enjoy yourself. I know this is a big step for us. Your behavior tonight will determine how we proceed when we return to California. You will be at the restaurant with me, but there will be other people around. It is the first time you will find yourself in such a position. If you even think of alerting anybody of your situation…” his eyes move down to my mouth, then down to the brooch, then back up to the collar, “…just remember what I can still do to you.”
    I swallow and nod. The collar feels tighter than it has for weeks.
    Stonehart relents. Just a tiny bit. “But honestly,” he says, leaning back, “Just use your common sense. I want to be able to trust you, Lilly, not to act against me. It will take time for that trust to develop. We will get there, eventually. We’ll take small steps, at first. And if you have doubts about what you should do, or how you should act… just ask. I’m going to be right there with you the entire time.”
    “I can do that,” I