think about what she did or did not wear under it.
“Everything’s on the counter,” I said, turning away from temptation.
She followed me. I took the lids off of steaks topped with blue cheese, sides of mushrooms, and baked potatoes with the works. Three full meals.
As she eased onto one of the stools, I moved a plate before her. She looked down at it with a grimace. I thought she might argue, but she only glanced at me before she picked up her fork. The move shifted her sleeve, exposing the red lines circling her wrists. The raw color stood out against the white robe.
She picked at her food in silence, barely managing a few bites before I finished my meal and part of the extra one. When she pushed her plate away, I scraped the leftovers onto one plate and put it into the refrigerator.
With her head propped in her hand, she tiredly watched me. I didn’t realize just how exhausted she was until she yawned. I had her up in my arms before it stopped.
“I’m not tired,” she said, ducking her head to avoid my gaze.
She nervously played with the bloody fabric of my shirt.
“Frank didn’t hurt you, did he?” she asked, finally looking up at me. Concern filled her eyes.
She couldn’t walk without cringing, had a gash on the back of her head, and she was worried because I had a little blood on my shirt? I groaned and lightly pressed my lips to hers before pulling away. I didn’t deserve her.
The look she gave me was bittersweet.
“Don’t be sad.” She slid a hand around the back of my neck and pulled me down for another kiss.
I kissed her gently, and she sighed. Her hand moved over my chest in an absent way. Part petting, part exploring. Even though I knew she had no idea what she was doing to me, I couldn’t stop myself from responding. I ran my tongue along the seam of her lips, begging for more. She willingly gave it. Her taste was heaven, her touch bliss. Without meaning to, I started walking again.
Her fingers feathered through my hair and held my mouth to hers as I gently set her on the bed. Carefully, I moved over her, using my arms while keeping my weight off of her. She took the space between us as an invitation to explore under my shirt. The feel of her fingers on my skin sent a tingle of pleasure through me.
I smoothed her damp hair back and trailed my fingers down to the Claiming spot on her neck. She shivered and turned her head to break the kiss.
As she gasped for air, I trailed kisses from her brow down to her throat. She groaned and arched into my mouth. I swirled my tongue over her skin then moved to the side of her neck. She turned and kissed me just below my jaw.
I froze. Tonight. Tremors shook me as I struggled for control. Not tonight. She needed rest.
She gently ran the tip of her tongue over my skin. I closed my eyes and struggled to remember why this wasn’t a good idea. It was the best idea. I wanted her. Forever. She needed to make it happen.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” she whispered, nipping my neck.
I groaned at the feel of her teeth toying with my skin.
“It hurts to wait,” I said honestly.
Yet, she didn’t give me what I wanted. She continued to kiss and nip me, slowly torturing me. I shook with need and wouldn’t have been able to move off her if she begged. I kissed her collarbone and shoulder in return, giving her plenty of room to mark me and make me hers. Her scent was driving me crazy.
When she bit down firmly enough to break the skin, I nearly came undone. She placed a tender kiss over the bite and offered me her lips. I claimed them, devouring her as new emotions swamped me. Love, sweet and sure. Passion, shy and perfect. Michelle was finally in my head, and I was in hers. I didn’t want to let her go, but caught sight of a little pink on the pillow and forced myself to pull back.
She gazed up at me in awe. Satisfaction coursed through me. I would have been content to look at her all night. But she was tired. And, she needed rest.
“Go to sleep, now,” I whispered, moving to her side and pulling her close.
I could feel she wanted to