Chapter 58 Lines In The Sand

• Coming down was hard. Sienna's entire body felt limp, her muscles heavy and trembling, and an edge of fear crept back into her chest. For a brief moment she worried Adrian might drop her or push her further than she could take. The raw vulnerability of what she had just given him pressed on her heart. She had been wanton and completely exposed before him, her body and will surrendered to his control. Now shame began to seep into her thoughts, mingled with something worse—an unfamiliar dependence. She did not like that feeling at all. Dependence felt too much like weakness, and Sienna already knew how dangerous weakness could be.
• When Adrian lowered her carefully to the mat she collapsed in a heap, her arms and legs tingling as blood slowly returned to her circulation. He crouched beside her, rubbing her limbs with patient hands, ensuring that the ropes had left no lingering harm. His touch was gentle now, far different from the commanding grip of moments before.
• He rose and fetched a bottle of water and a small bar of chocolate. Breaking the bar into squares, he fed them to her piece by piece, urging her to sip between bites. The sugar melted on her tongue, restoring her energy, and gradually she felt steadier. When she managed to stand, Adrian helped her find her scattered clothes and dress again.