Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Pleasure filled her face as she stared up at him. “All right. I can get her.”
“I’ll get her, baby. You stay right there.”
He quickly tidied up the kitchen, then grabbed Lady and her blanket from her walk-in closet. The blanket was weighted. That must help her feel better.
Then he remembered how tight she’d wanted him to hold her earlier.
Hmm. He filed that information away as he returned to the living room.
She was scrolling through the movies and biting her lip again.
“I don’t . . . I’m so sorry, I don’t know what to choose. I don’t watch many movies. I don’t want to get it wrong.”
Shit.
Ethan was really failing at being a good caretaker tonight. What she needed was to not make choices and he kept giving her choices, thinking it might help her feel better.
It wasn’t.
And he needed to stop.
“That’s okay. I watch plenty.” He took the remote from her and settled in the corner of the L-shaped couch with his legs out in front of him. “Come here, baby.”
“Um, where?”
He patted the space between his open legs. “Right here. You can rest your back against my chest. And I have your blanket.”
“Are you sure that will be comfortable for you? What if I’m too heavy?”
“Cate, come over here.” He kept his tone soft, but it was firm enough that she started moving toward him without argument.
That was better.
He settled her in against him with her bottom cradled between his thighs.
She was stiff. Was she not comfortable with him touching her like this?
Or was she uncertain of what she was supposed to do?
“Are you comfortable with this? Remember, if anything worries you that you can say your safeword. No matter what.” He drew the weighted blanket over her, then handed her toy to her. She hugged Lady tight.
“I don’t want to stretch your boundaries to the point that you withdraw from me. The point of this is to make you more comfortable with me. Not less.”
“I’m more comfortable with you touching me than I am with anyone else other than Rhodes. And that’s a different sort of touch.”
“Good. Because I want to touch you constantly. I also want to help you when the world becomes overwhelming and you need someone to ground you. To shelter you.”
“I really like the sound of that. But what will I give you?” she asked. “I don’t want things to be uneven.”
He moved his fingers to her scalp, massaging lightly. “I told you I like to be needed. I like to feel in control. To protect and give care. If you like those things in return. If you need care and protection and to let go. Then I think you’re already giving me everything I need.”
“It sounds simple when I know it’s not. Or, I don’t think it’s that simple.” She let out a small groan as he continued his massage.
“I think it can be. There will always be challenges. But if you care about the person, want them to be happy, if you’re prepared to be honest, then it really can be that simple.”
“Even if being with me brings different sorts of challenges?” she asked.
“Baby, I’ve never backed away from a challenge yet. I certainly don’t intend to when the prize is you.”
32
“I’m not certain I should like being referred to as a prize. Although part of me kind of does.”
He had to grin at the reluctance in her voice as she told him the last part.
“I think you’re a prize because you’re the most compelling, beautiful, intelligent woman I’ve ever met, and I want you more than I’ve wanted anything in my life.”
“Oh. Well. If you put it like that it’s different.”
His smile grew wider. “I forgot the cutest.”
“Yes. I do seem to be that.”
By now she was completely relaxed against him. But he thought he could do better.
“If you roll around onto your tummy, I’ll give you a back massage.”
“Oh. I’ve never had a massage.”
“Just a light one since I don’t have any oil.” He made a mental note to get some if she liked this.
“All right.”
He slid down farther, and she rolled over. Drawing her onto his chest, he massaged her back over her clothing to begin with. As she started to grow heavier against him, he slid his hands under her top to rest against her skin.
He just kept them there for a moment, letting her get used to his touch.
When she didn’t object, he moved his hands up her back, massaging.
A long sigh escaped her, and he smiled.
He’d thought this might be a good way to help her relax. And if it got her used to his touch, well, it was a win-win.
“Feel good, baby?”
“Yes. It feels amazing. Like my muscles have turned to jello and yet . . .”
“And yet, what?”
“I don’t know if I should say.”
“Tell me.”