Russian Roulette: Family secrets [2021 version]

Ch. 21: I'm a man, which pretty much translates to idiot

Gareth watched the emotions cross her face.

Shock.

Anger.

Relief.

He was unsure if she would kick him at that point. Luckily, he had not released her hands. Otherwise, he would have been in for the slap of the century. A natural reaction and knowing Mackenzie, it would probably not stop at that. He stood prepared for anything. If she felt he deserved it, he would take it.

The thrill to have done and watched her go through that intense mind game had given him a mental high that still buzzed in his brain. It made him appreciate her surrender even more because she had thought he had exposed her in a way no woman should ever be. Everything he had done had been about her, teaching her she could trust him with her care.

Of course, he had won something in the end, though it had been about her. He had won her unwavering trust. Mackenzie just needed time to process and accept it.

Mackenzie's mouth hung open while she absorbed everything.

One-way windows?

Fuck him!

Gareth had played her masterfully, heightened her attention to him, and made her push through her fears and embarrassment. Made her realize what her body and mind craved overshadowed her modesty, and he had done it in a completely safe environment where the only obstacle was in her head.

It had shown how experienced he was.

With manipulation.

With sex.

And apparently with exactly what she had needed to unlock the fire inside.

Still debating if she should kick him or yell at him, Mackenzie stared at him and then it dawned on her how he expected her to blow up. To have a total meltdown from anxiety or relief, it did not matter which. He expected her to react as a natural outlet, and his responsibility was to take it and let her rage until she was ready to calm down.

Action and reaction.

The man had integrity; he had played high stakes and would pay the dealer what he owed.

Mackenzie found no reason to yell at him. His mind game with her had given her the most intense orgasms of her life. She felt no doubts or fear about moving forward. Through his actions, Gareth had cemented her trust in him.

"You're such an ass..."

His face was set in stone. Gareth waited for the rest with stoic grace.

"...Sir," Mackenzie playfully added with a small, grateful smile.

"Dolly," Gareth mumbled, relieved and thankful. He breathed out and let the tension leave his body. Nobody would ever know how scared he had been that he had gone too far. Even if she had experienced some explosive orgasms, and he had believed it was the right move to win her trust, there had been a small, nagging voice at the back of his head, reminding him that Mackenzie was not like other women.

Still holding her with one arm, he let his other hand move up her body and trailed her neck with his fingers until he could push back a stray lock of hair.

"Bring The Dragon, Gareth. I trust you with my life."

Gareth crashed his lips to hers. Plundered her mouth with fierce intensity, and she could do nothing but stand there with her hands tied and accept the kiss. Gareth felt her small moves to move her arms and her need to hold him, he reached down and unhooked the cuffs, allowing her to put her arms around his neck, he lifted her up and carried her to the kitchen with her legs wrapped around his waist.