Chapter Thirty Two

“I almost wish I hadn’t,” I said. “But I did, and…thank you. For protecting me from him.”

“Of course. I couldn’t sit by and allow him to hurt you.”

“So…that goes a long way toward helping me trust you. But…it’s not that easy. Not for me. I don’t…I can’t just decide to trust someone. It takes time. Effort.”

“And that is why the blindfold must remain.” One finger touched my chin, tilting my face up. “Kiss me.” It was a command.

“Ask me.”

“No.”

“Then, no.”

“You’re not grasping the arrangement, it seems.”

“I don’t do commands very well.”

“And I don’t repeat myself.” His voice grew sharp. “But, just this once, for you, I will. You want to know what I want? What this is about? It’s about trust. Obedience. Compliance. You obey, I learn to trust you. If I trust you, I will give you my name and allow you to see me. Then I’ll allow things to go further. If I don’t trust you, this will take much longer, and be much harder.”

“You said you wouldn’t force me to do anything I didn’t want to.”

I hear