Page 85 of The Pain We Nurture

He knew how hard it was for her to spend money and the thought of her voluntarily purchasing anything without being prompted to do so pleased him greatly. He made a soft sound in his throat, continuing to stare at her while taking another swallow. Wishing for the millionth time he could sink into her body. But he was not fucking her in a hotel. He wanted their first time to be at their home, in their bed.

Colin tightened in irritation of his own making. His rules were starting to get on his own nerves. “I’m very proud of you, Olivia. They are gorgeous and you did a good job,” he complimented her endeavors with a smile, placing a hand on her lower back and looking over the arrangement with interest.

Colin noted with pleasure that she seemed to have a way with colors.

“They’re for you,” Olivia's voice carried across the quiet expanse of space so softly he wasn’t sure he heard her right.

“Hm?” Colin leaned closer to her. “What did you just say?”

“I said, they’re for you. I also bought a couple of other things. I just didn’t know if I wanted to give them to you,” she replied, that same uncomfortable look from before passing her face again before it was quickly gone.

Colin stared at her silently for a minute. Thanking God he followed his first mind and not snap on her like he wanted to.

“Thank you,” his eyes roamed over her face before landing on her green eyes once more before narrowing in recognition of her expression. Fear. That was the look he’d been unable to place. She was scared.

You don’t have to be scared of me baby.

Olivia nodded, pushing the vase back to the center of the counter, still not meeting his eyes.

“May I have the others?” Colin pressed gently, not wanting to make whatever feelings that were broiling inside of her worse. They were finally making progress; she was finally trusting him.

Olivia nodded, still not moving. Colin's hand pressed slightly harder into Olivia’s lower back.

Come on, sweetheart. It’s okay, Colin thought, waiting patiently. He’d wait for the rest of his life if he had to.

After a long tense minute of them sipping their drinks, and Colin burning up with anticipation, Olivia finally moved.

Colin let some of the tension go, and he breathed a sigh of relief as Olivia walked away from him. He followed her into the bedroom, and then she turned to open the nightstand. He watched intently when she reached down and gave him a generous view of her backside in her blue dress before standing and presenting him with a small gift bag.

Colin smiled, letting himself feel excited.

“Oh, baby,” Colin whispered, hurriedly taking it from her and turning to sit in the chair next to them.

Reaching in blindly, he pulled out a small box wrapped in tissue paper. He glanced at her as he tore it gently.

“Kneel,” Colin ordered sharply, pausing in his actions. He waited patiently with the half-torn box in his hand.

Olivia tilted her head in surprise before her nipples hardened, visible through her dress. He licked his lips as she slowly sank to her knees in front of him. Olivia rested her hands in her lap as he put the gift bag on the floor in between them.

He finished tearing the paper and smiled widely at the cologne. Tearing open the box, Colin held it to his nose, smelling the aroma. He rumbled in pleasure. It was a masculine scent. Smoky, spicy, woodsy.

It’s amazing, his eyes found hers again as he blindly set the box to the side.

“I’m so fucking turned on right now. Hand me the next one baby. I want to accept any gifts you give me from your hands,” he ordered. Sitting back, he loosened his tie, pulling it apart completely before undoing the first two buttons of his shirt. His chest expanded, and he groaned quietly as he breathed easier, the tightness in his chest easing significantly.

Colin watched, tortured, as Olivia reached into the bag and pulled out the next gift that was wrapped in tissue paper as well.

He took it from her confidently, his fingers grazing hers as he pulled it to him. His breathing hitched slightly as he saw he was holding a grooming kit. An expensive grooming kit. He knew his smile had to be feral as his fingers touched the shiny gold devices nestled within the felt of the case. Holding out his other hand for the next gift, he stayed silent. The blood in his body was all congregating south and his cock was currently strangling him, robbing him of his ability to speak.

He opened the next gift, a small bag of beard shampoo and conditioner, oil, and serum. Olivia, mesmerized by his actions, jumped slightly as the bag crinkled in his hand suddenly.

“Is there anything else?” Colin whispered hoarsely. His heartbeat painfully against his breastbone. He adjusted in his seat slightly, his feet grinding into the soft carpet of the room as he attempted to get under control.

Olivia nodded and reached into the bag again.

“One more, and that's it,” she whispered, her hand slightly shaking as she handed it to him.

Colin grabbed it eagerly, wrapping his hand around hers and pulling her towards him. Making her shuffle on her knees in between his legs.

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