Page 65 of Until I Own You

Seth brings the bottle to my lips again and tilts it so the water runs gingerly into my mouth.

A sip of water has never tasted so good.

I suckle at the bottle until it’s half empty, then draw my lips away, panting.

“Had enough?”

I nod. “Yes, thank you.”

“Do you need more chocolate?”

“I don’t think so.”

Seth watches me for a moment. His watchfulness is now so clear to me.

The way he was taking me in while we were in scene isn’t that different from what he’s doing now.

Except now, rather than dominating me, he’s…taking care of me.

“It’s important,” Seth says, his voice deep and firm, “for both of us, that after a scene I take care you.”

He guides his fingers across my temple, pushing some hair away from my face.

My eyes flutter shut.

God, his touch is so nice after all these years.

“So you don’t go into sub drop,” he says. “And we can…reconnect.”

My heart swells.

In truth, Seth and I have always been connected. There have been moments of distance, frustration, annoyance, yes.

But we both admitted it. We’ve been dying for this.

Seth leans in, kisses my cheek. “Are you cold?”

I snuggle closer to him for his body heat. “I’m okay.”

Seth chuckles. “Let me tuck you in better.”

God, this is so different from the Seth I knew before. A million miles away.

I never thought I’d let myself feel this, but I need him. Need his surety. Need his control.

This can’t be only tonight. It can’t be.

After making sure no inch of me is uncovered, he looks into my eyes, frowning. “Better?”

I let out a long sigh. “Feels nice.”

He relaxes beside me, pulls me close again so I’m nuzzled into his chest.

He clears his throat. “So…what did you think?”

“About?”

Seth hums, a warm resonance in his chest. “All that happened here, I guess.”

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