The Healing Touch - Apryl Baker Page 0,56
forget, I did go to high school with Becca. You told me to keep an eye on her. I always checked in and made sure no asshats bothered her. I called her Sunshine because of all that blonde hair of hers.”
“Are there any tricks I can use to help her?”
“Music works. Doesn’t matter what kind, just turn it down low, so it’s barely audible. Soothes the nerves. Other than that, be patient and let her know you’re there if she needs something.” Nikoli got quiet for a minute then asked, “Are you finally planning on doing something about your feelings for her?”
“What makes you think I have feelings for her?” He pulled back into the hotel’s front entrance, ignoring the valet waiting to take his keys.
“You wouldn’t be calling me half out of your mind with worry if you didn’t, Dimitri. Besides, we all know how you feel about her, even Babushka.”
“Hell, I just realized today I might feel something more than lust. How the fuck do you all think you knew it before me?”
“Because you’re a blind fool who only saw one thing when you looked at a girl…the best way to get her clothes off. Except with Rebecca. You treated her with respect. That said a lot about how you felt, right there.”
“Shit.”
Nikoli laughed. “Look, you might want to accept the fact your life isn’t your own anymore. You belonged to Becca back in high school. You were just too stupid to realize it. You thought with your dick instead of your head. Can’t say much, though. I was the same way. Took me a while to realize it too. Lily scared the shit of out of me with how she made me feel. I almost lost her because of my own stubborn pride. Don’t make the same mistake with Sunshine. She’s awesome, and I’d love to call her my sister for real.”
“Fuck, I’m tired.” Dimitri turned off the Jeep and sat back. “I wish I had a quick fix right now. She’s in so much misery after having a meltdown at the event.”
“Well, not sure it’d work with Becca or not, but you could try the same tactic I did with Lily.”
“What’s that?” he asked absently, gathering the food bags together.
“Structured rules.”
“Rules?”
“Well, Lily couldn’t tolerate being touched. I did what I do best.”
“And that is?”
“Dominance.”
“Fucker. I am not pulling that BDSM shit with Becca. I’m surprised Lily didn’t chop your balls off, fry them up, and feed them to you.” Granted, he very much wanted to play the dominant when it came to Becca, but he was terrified he’d scare her off worse than she was.
“No, shithead, I’m not talking about tying Sunshine up and fucking her. Becca has been so out of control for so long, it might do her good to let someone else have control for a little while. It worked with Lily.”
“I remember when Kade found your little extracurricular activities closet.” The memory of his brother’s shocked face still cracked Dimitri up. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so freaked out.”
Nikoli laughed. “His reaction was hilarious. I’m serious, though, D. This might help Becca more than anything else, that is if it’s something you’re into.”
“I am. You didn’t only get your manwhoring ways from me. I think you also got your need for dominance from me too. I don’t cause a woman pain, but I do like her all nice and tied up. Not sure how Becca would react to that, though.”
“Sneak it in.” Nikoli got excited. “Little things, things she’d normally let you do anyway, just make it more of a command than a request. It really might help her, Dimitri. From what you told me, she had a shit childhood where she had to be the adult to survive it. That’s a lot of stress for a kid to take on, to have to deal with. Just think about it.”
“I will, brat. I need to get this food upstairs before she wakes up. Thanks for talking to me.”
“I hope I helped.”
“You did. Night, brat.”
“Night.”
Dimitri shoved his phone in his pocket and got out of the Jeep, food bags in tow, and gave his keys to Mike, who stood patiently waiting for him to get out. Another person to remember to tip well when they checked out.
Time to check on his woman.
~*~
Becca woke up to darkness, the only light a soft glow from the partially open bathroom door. No Dimitri. She shouldn’t be surprised. He’d run earlier when he figured out