Page 131 of Unexpected Hero

I move closer, folding my body behind hers. Not enough to make her feel trapped. Just to let her know I’m ready to ease her through her comedown. Assuming that’s what’s happening.

“Did I hurt you? Can you talk to me, sugar bear?”

She shakes her head vehemently.

I seek clarification. “No, I didn’t hurt you? Or no, you can’t talk to me?”

A muffled one-word response is all I get. “Both.”

It should be a relief to know I didn’t cause her pain. But given her reaction, that knowledge does nothing to ease the gnawing ache in my chest.

I’ve seen subs come down from pleasure too fast before. The adrenaline leaving the body can be overwhelming.

But this doesn’t feel like that.

It was just one climax, and it didn’t seem especially explosive. Besides, we weren’t doing a scene or playing, so I doubt she slipped into subspace that fast.

Nah. Something else triggered her.

Searching my mind for a logical explanation isn’t possible over the sounds of her sobs. I can’t think while she needs comforting. So I rely on aftercare techniques. It’s all I’ve got in my arsenal unless she gives me a clue about where I went wrong.

I squeeze her shoulders, kiss the top of her head, and begin scratching her scalp. “Relax, Lettie. Just breathe.”

After a few moments, her sobs weaken a touch.

“Stay here. I’m not leaving you. I’m going to get up to get you something to drink.”

Slipping out of bed, I retrieve a bottle of water from her mini fridge. After unscrewing the cap, I kneel beside the bed.

My heart thumps wildly at the small glimpses of her reddened face peeking out around her forearm. Tight coils wrap around my stomach, clenching my insides with an almost painful force.

Seeing her this shaken up after we shared an intimate moment is burying me in desperation and guilt.

Gently removing her arm from her face, I whisper, “Lettie, baby. Open your eyes. Have some water.”

She grits her eyes shut with more force, the motion causing more tears to spill down her cheek onto the bed.

I hate the anguished look on her face. Hate that I put it there. I don’t ever want to see her cry and certainly never about what we’ve done.

My only goal is to bring her pleasure and joy. Always.

That statement’s strength and truthfulness hit me with the force of a boot to the gut.

Above all other things, I want to make Lettie happy. She’s what I want. She’s what I need.

Not just in bed. But with me. Really with me.

Not James. Me.

A life without her isn’t appealing. It’s empty, dark, and drab — like every day before I met her.

Shaking myself back to what matters most now, I nudge her shoulder lightly. “Here, sweetness. Take a drink.”

Opening her eyes, she focuses on the water, avoiding my gaze. She props herself on her elbow while keeping her other arm over her breasts.When I pass the bottle to her, I cup her trembling hand to help her hold it steady.

After she’s had a few gulps, I set it on the side table and move back into the bed, positioning myself behind her. Grabbing the sheets, I drape them over her so she no longer feels the need to cover her body.

She has no reason to hide from me or feel shame. She’s perfect to me, exactly how she is. But it’s not the time to press that issue with her.

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