Page 60 of Dirty Shots

Oh fuck, the glass.

“Anya, you’re bleeding. We weren’t careful of the glass. I’m so sorry.”

Guilt swept over him. Hadn’t he been thinking about cutting her? Was he really that sick? He needed to watch himself. The dark thoughts were creeping in, and he didn’t want to go back to that same place. He loved Anya; he didn’t want to hurt her. Yet he’d enjoyed spanking her, enjoyed it more than he would want to admit.

Subconsciously, had he made her kneel down in the glass? Was he a danger to her?

But Anya shook her head. She sniffed a couple of times and then said, “I hadn’t even noticed my knees, Eric. That’s nothing.”

“What is it, then?” he asked, standing with one foot in relief and the other in frustration. “Was it the spanking, did I take it too far? Or did I hurt you when I took you ... up there?”

“No, I loved all of that. It’s not you. I love you.”

“Oh, baby, I love you, too.”

They smiled at each other, even through her tears.

“So what’s wrong?” he asked. “It’s your god-damned father, isn’t it?” Fury swelled within him. “I thought you were going to put his opinions behind you.”

She sniffed again and nodded. “I want to. And I’m trying, I really am. But he’s my father, you know? I hate that he’s disappointed in me.”

He was furious on her behalf. “He should never be disappointed in you. You’re amazing and beautiful and talented.”

“My father doesn’t think so. He thinks I’m a slut.” She gave a cold laugh. “After what we just did, I guess he’s right.”

“Hey!” His voice was harder than he’d intended. “Don’t ever call yourself that. We love each other, don’t we? We enjoy each other’s bodies. We make love and we create art. There is nothing you should be feeling bad about, or ashamed about. Got it?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be like this. When I came here, I wanted to prove to my father, and to you as well, I guess, that I could be one of those strong, independent women who does exactly what she wants without caring about anyone else’s opinions.”

“It’s only natural to care about your father’s opinions, Anya. And don’t worry about mine. I’m a self-centered bastard at times, but I want you to be happy. You’re the most important thing in the world to me.”

He kissed her, her mouth first, and then her cheeks and her eyes, kissing away her tears. “Come on. I know what will make you feel better.” He scooped her up into his arms like a child and carried her into the bathroom. He set her down and then proceeded to fill the tub with hot water and bubbles.

He stripped off what remained of his clothes and then rid Anya of hers, too. He climbed in first and lay back, and held out his arms for her to climb into. She stepped her delicate foot into the tub, between his legs, and then settled her backside down between his thighs. With a sigh of pleasure, she leaned back, her head against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

They settled into a foggy haze of heat and scent, the glow of post-sex high surrounding them. Even with all of the drama surrounding their relationship, Eric didn’t think there was anywhere else in the world he would want to be.

He could easily fall asleep, he realized. He hadn’t exactly slept well, face-down on his desk, and he needed another few hours. Anya stifled a yawn and snuggled down into him.

“Come on,” he said. “Let’s move to the bed.”

Gently, he rinsed off her body. Her skin was now pink from the heat of the bath, though he suspected the redness of her bottom wouldn’t fade completely for a day or two. He ignored the stab of guilt. Despite what she’d said, he hoped he’d not been too hard with her.

They both stood from the bath, water coursing from their bodies and slopping over the sides.

Eric stepped out first, grabbing a fluffy white towel from the heated rail and holding it out for Anya. She stepped into it and he wrapped it around her, wanting to hold her safe, protect her.

He grabbed his own towel and they went into his bedroom. With their bodies still damp, they climbed beneath the covers. Automatically, they sought each other, their limbs tangling, their breathing slowing to match one another.

Within minutes, they both slept.

---