Page 76 of Ask Me Something

I took his hand, grabbed the ice cream and two spoons, and then dragged him into my bedroom. “Come on. I’m catching up on Game of Thrones.”

He grinned. “I’ll try not to ruin it for you then. How far back are you?”

“You watch it?”

“Big fan. Matter of fact, I have you to thank for getting me hooked last year when you mentioned how you liked it. McKenzie is into it now, too.”

He kicked off his shoes, shed his clothes, and climbed into bed in his boxers. We settled down to watch television like a normal couple.

* * *

By the timethe last recorded episode finished, it was near midnight. We were a pint of Haagen Dazs down, and I’d taken two of the Motrin to help with my muscle aches.

“You want me to draw a bath for you?” he offered.

“Sure. Will you join me?”

He looked surprised but then pleased. “Of course. You, um, go get ready, and I’ll get the bath prepared.”

I was grateful for my half bath that I could use out in the hall. When I stepped into the master bath, I could hear him humming under his breath. I observed his fluid movements from the doorway while he poured the bubble bath, with a glass of wine and candles already set up.

“Pretty romantic,” I said, hating that it sounded like an accusation. Why couldn’t I be a normal girl who didn’t overanalyze everything?

Luckily, he didn’t notice and was focused on turning off the water. “Why don’t you climb in? I’ll be right back.”

I stepped in and closed my eyes. The water felt good on my muscles, and the fragrant scent of the bubble bath was soothing.

“Scoot up, honey. I’ll get behind you,” he suggested.

His strong legs rested on either side of mine with my back tucked into his chest. Breathing deeply, I enjoyed the feel of him around me. Although we hadn’t brought it up all evening, I couldn’t help but do so now. “The last time we spoke on the phone, you said it would be a good idea not to see me for another two weeks.”

He hugged me tight from the back. “Clearly I didn’t mean it when I couldn’t last twenty-four hours.”

“I started to think maybe you…” I couldn’t quite finish the thought without getting emotional.

“Maybe I—what?”

I took a deep breath. Something about being in the tub, facing away from him, made me braver. “Maybe I wouldn’t hear from you at all. I’m not the sort of girl who’s ever going to let you be dominant in all things, and I think that’s what you’ve had before. And perhaps you were rethinking the entire thing.”

“That’s the last thing I—Shit—I was afraid if I came over last night, you’d tell me it might not be working for you because of my earlier behavior. I thought a break might remind you that I’m not normally like that. The truth is…” He hesitated. “Although the thought of being in control in the bedroom turns me on, I feel the same when you challenge me. And there’s no doubt that you should’ve challenged me in the office, but I’ve never dealt with the two combined.”

“And the thing about Logan?”

“I’m not jealous in the way you’re thinking. I don’t know why I brought it up except for the fact that I’m envious he gets to spend every day talking with you, working late nights, and seeing you all the time. That used to be us in Charlotte.”

I missed that, too. “It was, but we weren’t doing this, so maybe the move was a good thing. By the way, were you serious about all men rating women in their heads?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I’m afraid so. But it’s probably guy code, so don’t go spreading it around.”

“It’s unnerving to have a glimpse into the male psyche and the fact that men are such pigs.”

“If you could look inside our minds, maybe we are, but we clean up nice for presentation purposes.”

“Hmm. Fair enough. By the way, I asked Logan. He assured me he doesn’t want to sleep with me.”

“WHAT?”

I burst out laughing. “I couldn’t resist. Like I’d ever ask him that question.”

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