nods but doesn’t answer immediately as he focuses on pouring himself a cup of coffee. After a couple of sips, he leans against the counter and sighs. “God, I feel like I’ve fought a war.”
“Me too if you want to know the truth. I haven’t been this sore from sex for... ages.” The truth is I’m not sure I’ve ever been this sore, but no need to give him that ego boost.
He walks around so he can prop himself up on one of the counter stools, turning it to face me. “So how do you feel about everything?”
“I feel fine.” I put down my cereal bowl and take my last sip of orange juice.
“You do look pretty relaxed.”
“Why wouldn’t I be?”
“I don’t know. I thought you might be having morning-after regrets and be working yourself into mental tangles about how you let things get messy.”
I roll my eyes. “No regrets here. And there’s no reason for things to get weird or awkward. If we both want to have sex, why shouldn’t we? It doesn’t have to be messy. It’s just one of the perks of our arrangement, right? Nothing messy about that.”
He’s lifted his mug to his lips, but at my words, his hand stops. He’s frozen with the mug just under his lips. His expression is perfectly blank.
For a moment I’m worried I said something wrong, but then he smiles around the rim of his mug. “Exactly right. No reason not to take advantage of all the benefits. That’s all it has to be.”
I smile in relief. “Good. Then there’s nothing to worry about. And, in case I didn’t say so, I had an amazing time last night.”
“Me too. So if you ever want to indulge in the perks again, just let me know. I’m at your service every night.”
I’m not sure I’ve ever had a more enticing offer.
WE BOTH SPEND THE DAY working, and Damian stays at the library later than usual. That doesn’t worry me. He got a late start after all, and I’ve got my own stuff to do anyway.
It’s after eight when he gets home. I’ve already eaten and am taking a bath, but I hear him call out a greeting from the hallway.
I get excited by the muffled sound of his voice, but I make myself think things through before I get out of the bath.
He told me he was at my service. That I could enjoy the benefits of our arrangement any night I wanted. That clearly seems to be leaving the initiation to me.
So if I want to have sex again tonight, I can just go and ask him.
It’s possible he’ll think I’m overly eager. Or desperate or something. But surely it’s not unusual to want to have sex again after a night as breathtaking as the one we had yesterday. Any woman would. It doesn’t mean I’m needy.
And he might be hurt or offended if I don’t take him up on his offer.
I definitely wouldn’t want that.
With that worked out to my own satisfaction, I dry off and put on a lacy pink gown, brushing my teeth and applying lotion before I head for his room.
He answers my knock in less than thirty seconds. He obviously just got out of the shower since he’s wearing nothing but a towel.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” The corners of his mouth turn up irresistibly. “I was hoping you would come.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Well, I’m here.”
He steps aside. “I’m glad. So are you going to come in?”
Yes.
I’m definitely going to come in.
Seven
I GO TO DAMIAN’S ROOM at bedtime every night for the next two weeks.
After the first few days, it becomes habit. Natural. All day I look forward to the sun going down, to when I’ll take a bath to relax and clean up and then walk down the hall to knock on his door. It almost feels like a naughty secret. Something exciting I’m doing in the dark that no one else knows about.
Not that we have a wild time in bed every night. Sometimes we do, if we’re both in the mood and energetic. But sometimes he’s tired, and other times I am. Some nights we have a quick, quiet round of missionary sex under the covers. He’s never selfish or thoughtless. He always makes sure I reach orgasm at least once. But there are some nights when we’re not really up to crazy all-night lovemaking.
Even those quick nights are amazing. They leave me feeling sated and happy and... affirmed. I don’t spend the night with him unless we’re