“You can’t do that,” she says, shaking her head.
“I can do whatever I want, Seraphine. And believe me, I will. He is my son, yes, but I will not support a heathen who has no respect for women—you or any other.” I implore her with my gaze, my voice as serious as a heart attack. “He’s shown me his true colors over these last few months, and I do not like it one bit. Had I known he was like this, I’d have threatened him sooner. Harrison has done nothing to earn my financial support. He only receives it because he is my son. That can andwillchange when I deem fit.”
I wait for her to give me a response, to argue with me some more.
She lunges forward, hands gripping onto my shirt to pull me down to kiss her. I groan against her lips, both shocked and thrilled that this is her response. Pulling my shirt from my pants, she works on the buttons, eager to get it off. It’s not that I want to stop this, there is nothing more I want than her right now, but something doesn’t feel right. I press my hands to her shoulders and break us apart.
“Seraphine, slow down.”
She’s panting, lips puffy from our kiss, eyes wild.
“Why?”
I run my hands down her arms then over her hair that is damp. It’s now I realizeallof her is damp. Her shaking wasn’t from fear but because her lips are blue and she’s freezing.
“Let me take care of you first.” I slip my hand into hers and pull her after me, down the short hall that leads to the bedroom. The bathroom is just before it on the right, so I pop in there.
“Have a seat.” I point to the vanity then give her my back as I run the free-standing bathtub. When it’s warm enough, I plug it. Turning around, I find her still standing. “What are you doing? Sit and relax.”
“I don’t deserve you,” she whispers, her gaze wide.
“What?” I shake my head, going to her. “What are you saying?”
“You’re so kind to me. You do so much for me.” Her voice wavers, eyes now shining with tears. “I’ve never done anythingin my life to deserve this from you, and yet… you’re here. Saving me. Protecting me. Making me feel good. All the time, Elliot. How? Why?”
I search her eyes before speaking again, the steady rush of water filling the tub sounding behind my words.
“You don’t have to earn love, or protection, or happiness. You’ve been through so much, and if anyone deserves to feel safe and cherished, it’s you. I’m here because I choose to be.”
A tear slips from her eye, and I quickly wipe it away before kissing her forehead.
“You are too sweet for this harsh world,” I whisper against her skin.
Her hands once again fist my shirt, tugging me to her. Only this time, she buries her face against my chest and holds me to her, so I hold her back. Until I can no longer stand the fact she is turning into a popsicle.
“Take off these clothes before you get sick.”
I move to the bathtub and shut off the water. The room has already grown warm from the heat of the bath, and it’s just what she needs. When I turn back to her, she’s struggling to get out of the damp clothes that are sticking to her skin, so I quickly move to her and help, peeling the shirt from her back and pulling it over her head, to drop on the floor. Her hands fall to her sides, and she looks up at me from over her shoulder.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
I unclasp her bra, and one by one, she pulls the straps down her shoulders and lets that fall to the floor as well. I trail myfingers down her spine, stopping at the waistband of her skirt before pinching the slim zipper between my two fingers and pulling it down.
In nothing but a pink thong, I can’t help but take in the shape of her ass. So round and full. I can’t help but press my hand to it, kneading her flesh. She smiles at me, then pulls her panties down and turns toward me.
“You are so beautiful,” I tell her as she brushes some hair away from her face.
She would blush now, if she could, but her body is a strange shade, and I know she needs warmth.
“Into the bath. I’ll make you tea while you get warm.”
As I walk toward the door, I’m stopped by her grasping my hand and pulling me to her.
“Thank you,” she says again, this time slower and full of meaning. “For everything.
I smile. “You are so welcome, sweetness.”
Once I’m in the kitchen, I pull open the cabinets in search of tea only to realize she doesn’t have any. With a huff, I dig my phone from my pocket and call down to the front desk, letting them know I’ll need some immediately. And though she just went to eat dinner with my son, she could probably use some soup as well. So, I let them know to stop at a deli and bring some up.
