Page 82 of Downpour

Her brow furrowed. “For what?”

“For bringing me back.”

We spent a moment lying together, catching our breath. I knew I was fucked for the rest of the day. Between physical therapy and sex, my body was done.

I told Brooke to relax while I got dressed and settled into my wheelchair to go to the bathroom. When I came back after a quick pit stop in the kitchen, I found Brooke emerging from the bathroom, still naked.

She crawled back onto the bed and flopped down. “I don’t think there’s a single calorie left in my body.”

I smirked. “Three orgasms will do that to you.” I unloaded the snacks from my lap onto the bed and lifted the glass of water out of my chair’s cup holder. “Eat something and drink that.”

“No arguments here,” Brooke said, sitting against the headboard and pulling the quilt up to her chest. “Thank you.”

Trying to get back on the bed was less than graceful, but she paid me no mind. As soon as I was beside her against the headboard, I pulled her into my lap. “How do you feel?”

She leaned her head back onto my shoulder and closed her eyes. “Like I’m floating.”

I chuckled. “Your shoulders will probably be sore tomorrow.” I traced my fingertips around her shoulder joints and biceps. “Especially here.” Bright red marks from the ropes streaked her skin. I ran my palm over each one, checking for any deep marks. She didn’t flinch or react to my touch. “Soak in a bath before you go to bed tonight.”

She let out a laugh. “I don’t think I’ll be able to get out of your bed.”

I pressed a kiss to the back of her ear and wrapped my arms around her. “That’s fine by me.”

“Can I ask?”

“Ask what?”

“How did you learn all of this?”

I pressed my lips to her bare shoulder and smiled. “Well... I guess it’s always been an affinity of mine.”

“That’s all I get?”

“You’re forgetting that I’ve lived as an adult a lot longer than you have.”

“Fair enough. But I’m just curious.”

I kissed her again. “I traveled a lot in my twenties. It was a hobby I could learn on the road. I’d sit in hotel rooms at night and practice different kinds of knots and harnesses. Occasionally on a partner.” I sighed. “And after my accident, I picked it back up to get dexterity back in my hands… without the partners.”

Brooke released a yawn as she nodded.

“Tired?” I asked, brushing her hair away from her face.

She smirked. “I’m surprised you’re not. You had PT this morning.”

I laughed. “I won’t be leaving this bed anytime soon.”

Her blue eyes met mine. “Can I stay?”

I wanted nothing more than for her to stay and never leave. I shifted to lie on my back, pulling her down with me. “Make yourself comfortable.”

Brooke nestled into my side and rested her head on my chest as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

And goddamn, it felt like it was.

20

BROOKE

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