“Not your fault.” My throat was still sore from being choked by both a hand and a dick. Sir had to know, though, that this wasn’t his fault. He didn’t do it.
“I shouldn’t have let April talk me into taking you there. So yes, it is partly my fault, Dakota.” He sighed, turning me around to face him. Both of his hands held my face, and I looked up at him. For some reason, believing that Sir had died made me forget about much of the training. I didn’t want ever not to see this man.
I shook my head gently. “You didn’t-“
“I know. I didn’t put these marks on you. But if I would have listened to that gut feeling, none of this would have happened.”
“Shower?” I changed the subject, knowing Sir felt what he felt. There was no way I’d be able to keep the energy up to try to tell him otherwise.
After a moment, he pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head before removing his hands from my face and finished undressing me. Although, I kind of wanted to feel his lips on mine again.
He was quick to strip off his own clothes, leaving them in a pile in the corner before starting the shower. Soon enough, we were both under the spray.
Sir washed me first, scrubbing away the dirt and grime. The spray stung my bruises, but I didn’t care. My eyes closed, and I let the warmth fill me from the outside in.
I’d never take a shower for granted again.
Sir was as gentle as he possibly could be, running just a bar of soap over my body, being mindful of certain parts. Then, he quickly washed off, too, before shutting off the water, wrapping a towel around each of us.
Neither of us spoke as sleep clung to me like a blanket as Sir helped me to dress in just a pair ofcotton pants. Then, he got me tucked in before taking his place on the other side of the bed.
I gave him a moment to settle and get comfortable before I moved to lay my head on his shoulder, a leg between his. As soon as I was in his hold, a sigh of bliss escaped, and sleep officially pulled me under.
***
I woke up alone. For a moment my entire body shook, hands clammy. Was everything just a dream? But then, when I opened my eyes, I remembered I was in Sir’s bed.
But where was he?
Tears instantly gathered in my eyes and threatened to fall. Brushing them away, I told myself I wasn’t a baby. I had to stop thinking and feeling. I needed…well, I don’t know what I needed. Other than Sir. Him. I needed my Sir.
Slowly, I pushed my way from the bed. Looking around the room, I saw no clues about where he’d be.Sir wasn’t in the bathroom either, but I did use it while I was in there.
Slowly making my way down the stairs just as slowly, if not slower, than coming up, I listened to the quietness of the house. Not a sound anywhere. No TV. No talking.
Where the heck was Sir?
By the time I made it down all the way, I was out of breath for more than one reason.
Sir wasn’t in the kitchen or the living room. Nor his office.
One hand clutched my chest, my breathing uneven and tears flowing like a river down my face.
I tried to call out, but no sound came forth. Instead, I took a seat on the bottom stair, letting my feelings wash over me. I didn’t have the energy or strength to search through the house again or go look in the laundry room. That door was closed anyway so that Sir couldn’t be down there. And I hadn’t seen anything out front when I passed that door.
Leaning my head in my hands, elbows on my knees, sobs began to break free. They racked my entire body, making it hurt more and more as theminutes passed. Or maybe it was only seconds. I didn’t know.
“What’s wrong?” Sir was there, kneeling before me. His voice was calm, but there was worry there too.
“Couldn’t…find…you,” I panted out, not moving from my position.
“Oh, honey. I’m sorry. I was downstairs doing laundry.” He touched my knee, wrapping a few fingers around my elbow. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
As quick as the panic hit me, it left. The tears still fell as I lifted my head up.
“Come on. A snack and cuddles?”
I nodded, letting him help me to stand. I followed him to the couch, where I sat. Then, he talked to me the entire time as he went to the kitchen to get me something to eat and drink.
