Page 55 of Saving Sophia

He took another step back, his posture stiffening. He dragged his fingers through his hair and squeezed the back of his neck. “I can give you time to think.” His hands dropped to his sides. “This probably isn’t the fairest question right now.” He blew out a breath and took another step away.

A falling sensation whipped through me, as if I were plunging off a cliff, past the rope that would save me, too scared of rope burn to reach for it.

“No,” I practically yelled the word. “You,” I added unhelpfully.

He tipped his head, waiting for clearer words, the gold flecks in his cashmere eyes glowing.

“I don’t … You, I mean …” My eyes widened in horror at how badly my tongue was betraying me. “I don’t need time to think.” I gasped out the words, watching his face as he tried to understand my babbling. He looked wary, but he waited.

“You.” I tried again. “I want you ... to take control.” I shivered at my admission, but it was true.

He took a big breath, his face brightening, his lips relaxing into a smile full of sunshine. Then his arms wrapped around me, and he leaned in. His fingers traced the dampness of my hairline in the steamy bathroom, found the edge of my jaw, and tipped my face up to him.

He kissed me, slow and sure, taking charge, not letting me go, pushing me for more. I slid my arms around his neck and let him pull me off the counter and guide me to the tub, reveling in the velvety texture of his lips claiming mine, even as the scruff of his goatee tickled my chin.

“I want you too.” His words were a whisper as he tugged his jacket off my shoulders, then my jean jacket, dropping it next to his on the floor. He pulled my tank top up and over my head, finally breaking the kiss as he tossed it aside. “Take off your bra.”

I took a shaky breath, revisiting every critical thought I ever had about my boobs all at once.

“Don’t think. Do as I say.” His words soothed my fears. I took another breath, unhooked the clasp, and dropped the bra to the ground. I wrapped my arms around my chest, trying to prolong the moment before facing his judgment.

“Hands down by your sides.”

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled then dropped my arms. He could probably see my heart beating through my chest, it was thumping so hard.

“You’re gorgeous.” He rested his hands on my hips, slipping his fingers into the waistband of my pants. I sucked in a breath and my tummy clenched as he slid them down the length of my legs, slowly, gently.

I stepped out of them, wiggling my toes and noticing I needed a pedicure. I scrunched them up, trying not to fidget as he stared at me.

“Take off your panties.”

I moved my hands slowly to the simple black underwear I wore. When I removed them, and stood bare before him, something settled in my heart. I told him I wanted him to take control, and he had. He commanded, and I obeyed.

He looked at every inch of me, laser focused, taking me in. “You’re fucking perfect.” He undid the first button of his dress shirt, its fabric starting to cling to him in the humid air.

“Get in the tub.”

Two quick steps and I was sinking down into the delicious, soapy mountains. The tropical-scented steam enveloped me, and my body relaxed.

“Good girl.”

I basked in the praise, even as I pulled the bubbles around me protectively. He scooped up a handful and playfully dolloped my nose before wiping it clear. The nightmare of the past few hours faded away.

He rolled up his shirt sleeves, and I savored his tan, muscular forearms and the tiny blond hairs highlighting their shape as they flexed. He grabbed a washcloth and started scrubbing large, slow circles on my back.

“Does that feel good?”

“God yes.” I let my head hang forward, giving myself up to the heavenly bath.

“Sweet little Sophie. I want to take care of you.”

The avocado lump formed fast in my throat, taking me by surprise. I wrapped my arms around my knees and forced a swallow that made me grunt in pain.

“Does this hurt?” He paused in the circles, his voice concerned.

“No.” A small laugh worked its way out, making the lump throb even more. “It’s just … I really like it when you call me ‘little Sophie.’ That’s so stupid, but I can’t help it.”

“It’s not stupid.” He tipped my head back and poured warm water over my hair, shielding my face from the splash. Tingles spread across my scalp, and I let out a guttural sigh.

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