Returning to her side with a blanket, a bottle of water, and a bar of chocolate, he helped her sit up, then wrapped her in the soft fleece. “Betternow?”
She nodded. “Thankyou.”
Cracking the seal on the bottle, he held it to her lips. As if she’d suddenly realized where she was, Elizabeth pulled back, her eyes widening. “I can do that myself, youknow.”
The Dom inside him asserted control. “Elizabeth, this is part of aftercare. Let me do this foryou.”
She slid the bottle from his hand, then downed half of it. “Some things, yes. The blanket, the aloe. This?No.”
Alexander had a hard time mustering any anger, though he tried. Frustration, perhaps. Ire, but no anger. Her spirit drew him in deeper every moment he spent with her. “I see you’re going to test my limits. Not something that usually pleases me. Yet still…” A smile tugged at his lips. “Eat this, and I’ll help youdownstairs.”
At least she allowed him to feed her a few squares ofchocolate.
By the time they made their way downstairs, Elizabeth tucked firmly to his side, she’d started to shiver. “Why am I socold?”
“Adrenaline. Or rather, the loss of it. A common side effect.” Cupping her cheeks, he searched her gaze for any regret, any shame, and found none. “You could stay thenight.”
He cursed the hope—or was that desperation--tinging hiswords.
“Not a good idea,” she said, straighteningslightly.
Fighting against the disappointment, he led her into the kitchen. “A spot of tea then, and I’ll take youhome.”
Silence swelled between them, and as Alexander started the kettle, he risked a glance at her. “Would you like to talk about what we justdid?”
Gentle waves of her golden hair curled over her shoulders as she shook her head. “I don’t know what to say. That was…somuch.”
“That’s often the reaction a submissive’s first time. Truthfully, I felt the same way the first time I restrained a partner. The orgasm I had after that was…to be crude and blunt, fuckingbrilliant.”
Alexander followed Elizabeth’s gaze to the pattern on the hardwoodfloor.
Her cheeks flushed. “And tonight? After Ileave?”
Adjusting his jeans, Alexander grimaced. “I’ll take my release remembering the sights, sounds, and—“ he brought his fingers to his lips and inhaled deeply, catching a faint whiff of her arousal lingering, “—scents of you. Does that displeaseyou?”
“N-no. I just wish—” With a sigh, Elizabeth shifted on the stool. “I feelempty.”
Crossing the kitchen in four steps, he took her in his arms. “And you want me to fill you?” At her nod, he brushed a tender kiss to her lips. “Next time, Elizabeth. I want you to dream of what it will be like when I have you naked, bound, andbegging.”
As the kettle whistled, Alexander eased her back onto the stool. They didn’t speak again until he pressed a teacup into her hand. “I can see how hard you’re thinking. Don’t. Let yourself feel. But…may I call on you tomorrow? Are youfree?”
Her nod brought a smile to his lips. “Drink,chérie.I have a squash game with my brother tomorrow at seven. But, perhaps lunch? A matinee? Ice skating at BostonCommon?”
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up at the last option. “I’ve never beenskating.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.” An emotion he so rarely felt these days, the pure, unadulterated joy of his youth, warmed him until he thought of her abysmally thin coat. “You have something warm to wear? Goodgloves?”
Her demeanor shifted, ire dimming the sparkle in her eyes. “I can certainly clothe myself for a day outside in the cold,” she snapped. After a sip of tea, she shook her head. “Sorry. I have…issues with men not trusting me to take care ofmyself.”
After a steadying breath, Alexander pressed himself lightly against Elizabeth, caressing her arms. “I didn’t mean to offend you; I simply enjoy taking care of you. I’m sorry if I came across as condescending. That wasn’t myintention.”
Slumping into his embrace, she sighed. “And I don’t mean to be difficult. My last serious relationship…” Her voice cracked, and Alexander tightened his embrace. “Darren was very controlling. Told me what to wear, tried to tell me who to socialize with. By the end, he’d practically destroyed me. I can’t let a man—or anyone—do that to me again. I won’t surviveit.”
The intense desire to find thisDarrenand pummel him within an inch of his life had Alexander clenching his fists, and he stalked away so he wouldn’t frighten her. “Bugger it. I’msorry.”
Though she waved her hand casually, he caught the tremble in her fingers. “It was a long time ago. I try not to think about it much, but the repercussions of that relationship... I’m kind of damaged goods. I overreact tothings.”
A feral growl rumbled in Alexander’s chest. “You’re not damaged. You’re an adult. We all have baggage, Elizabeth. A good relationship helps you unpackit.”
