Enthralled (Dark Passions) Read Online Free

to this
again?” he asked, his tone stern.
     
      
I looked at him confused. “Back to what?” I asked.
     
      
He started rubbing his forehead in frustration. “Back to where you try to hide
from me, when you’re supposed to be opening up to me,” he said, giving me a no
nonsense level stare.
     
      
I averted my gaze and bit my lip, my mood suddenly darkening. Here we were, having
such a perfect day, and now my insecurities had to creep up and ruin things. I
finally took a deep breath and raised my eyes to meet his. “What is this to
you?” I asked, my voice full of anxiety and uncertainty. “I mean, what’s going
on here? Is this serious for you? ‘Cause before I get in too deep, before I
totally open myself up to you, I need to know where you’re at. If you want
this, as badly as I do.”
     
      
Bradley’s eyes filled with heat, and he reached across the table to cover my
hand with his. “I’m very serious about this, Melanie,” he said, his voice
strong and insistent.
     
      
I shook my head and pulled my hand away. “Serious about this, this adventure?
Or serious about me?” I asked, and I could feel my features crumple under the
weight of my insecurity.  “’Cause it’s not the same thing, Bradley. I mean,
this is great. A fabulous fantasy come true. And I’m enjoying every minute of
it. But I really don’t know where you stand.” I sighed and shrugged helplessly.
“I mean, you want to know everything about me. And I feel I’ve already given
you so much of me, but you’ve barely given me anything of you in return.”
     
      
He stared at me, his features darkening. “I’ve given you everything I can,
Melanie,” he said, sounding slightly shocked.
     
      
I shook my head forcefully. “No,” I said. “I mean, yes. Yes, you’ve made some
of my biggest fantasies a reality. You’ve been generous with your money and
your time. You’ve been so incredibly attentive. Reading me better than anyone
ever has, understanding my needs even better than I do myself.”
     
      
His eyes softened, and he reached again for my hand. “I’d do anything for you,
Melanie.”
     
      
I felt my expression become pained, and I let out a shuddering breath. “Then
give me something of you, Bradley. Not your attentiveness. Not your money.
Something about you. About your past. About your deepest desires.” I
felt tears well up in my eyes. Angry at myself for losing control, I picked up
a napkin and started dabbing violently at the corners of my eyes. Bradley
stilled my hand, grabbed the napkin, and gently, almost gingerly, wiped away
the remaining tears. Then he cupped my chin in his hand and tilted my face so
that our eyes met. For a moment his eyes looked pained and uncertain.
     
      
He sighed, released my chin, and slumped back in his chair. “It’s hard for me,
Mel. Sharing myself. Sharing my past.”
     
      
I looked at him desperately and said, “It’s not easy for me either, but you
keep pushing me to reveal more and more of myself all the time. I’m just asking
for a fair exchange.” Bradley looked vaguely into the distance, his expression
unreadable. “Look at me,” I said, my tone forceful. He slowly turned his head
until our eyes met. “I told you about my mother. How she took off. What a
train-wreck she was. How it affected me. Now I want to hear about you. Tell me
something about your childhood. Something. Anything.”
     
      
Bradley’s eyes became distant. He seemed to be deep in himself, considering
something. Then he opened his mouth as if to speak, but then closed it again.
He shook his head and sighed in frustration. “I don’t want to burden you with
my issues,” he said, his expression pained.
     
      
I reached for his hand, wrapping my fingers around it. “Hey,” I said softly,
searching for his eyes. “I’ve burdened you with mine.” Then something occurred
to me and I pulled back, narrowing my eyes at him. “Do you think I’m too weak?
Is