Page 141 of Close Knit

“I’ll put you back together,” he promises. My heart soars. With that, he begins to take me slowly, deliciously.

Each stroke is attentive, as it always is when we’re together. He listens to my breathing, watches me with that hawk-eyed gaze. I don’t know if that’s just what happens when you’re fucking an athlete or if Cameron’s that in tune with me, but he just knows what he’s doing when he’s with me. Through every groan, I tell him that.

He knows every touch that feels right. Knows every limit. Knows what lines he can cross.

This is what love feels like, I’m sure. A constant risk of being on the brink but knowing you can risk it all and be okay.

When both of his hands grip my skin and his thrusts get longer, deeper, his hips slapping against me, I know he’s trying to control himself, but I can tell he’s on the edge.

“Too good, Daphne, always too fucking good,” he whimpers.

“Don’t stop,” I say and start to meet his every thrust, forcing him as deep into me as I can. I groan, grunt, and toss around beneath him until the assailing need starts to unhinge again, louder and bigger than the other two. I tighten around him until that familiar look of shock hits his face. I feel that first pulse as he releases into me, his climax shuddering through him. I keep rocking against him until my own follows. My heartbeat pounds in every pulse point across my skin.

Cameron drags his warm, comforting weight off of me.He starts by gently untying each knot, careful not to abruptly pull on any of the ropes. He carries out this process slowly and methodically, somehow even gentler than when he started. Once the ropes are removed, he checks for any areas that may have been affected by circulation issues and uses his fingers to massage those spots before sealing them with a kiss.

“One sec, okay?” he whispers in my ear, and I collapse against the pillow. He returns with one of the electrolyte drinks he keeps in my fridge and a bowl of sour gummy colas. Oh gosh. If I thought I was head over heels before, I definitely am now. “Here, fuel up.”

As I nosh on my candies and down the cool liquid, he drapes me in one of my throws and cuddles in beside me.

“How do you feel?”

“Like I’m not even inside of my body.”

“Good or bad?”

“Good,” I promise. “What was your favorite part?”

“Honestly, the same as it always is: hearing you tell me how much you like what I’m doing.”

It’s gotta be that athletes have a praise kink. I blush. “Communication is important.” I snicker.

“Having you tied up while you ran your mouth didn’t hurt,” he admits and gives my temple a kiss.

“I’m sure.”

“What about you? Favorite part? Something different for next time?”

I curl up into his chest. “I never thought I’d say this, but giving up control to you…it was oddly satisfying. Like I stumbled upon a brand-new flavor of freedom sundae, with a cherry of trust on top.”

“Very sweet analogy there, Duck.” He laughs. “I’m glad you had fun.”

I bite my lip. “And, you know, doing a role reversal could be fun. I mean, wouldn’t it be intriguing for me to wear the bossy pants for a change? And for you to, you know, experience the whole surrender thingy?”

“Bossy pants for a change?” He lifts a brow at me.

I feign innocence. “Yes.”

“Giving up having to think and make decisions may be a nice change.”

I give him a kiss. “Well, we do have plenty of yarn.”

Chapter 40

Daphne

You’ve got this,Daphne. You’re smart, brave, and charming. This weekend will be epic, I tell my reflection in the mirror of the bathroom at Petal & Plate. I adjust a stray hair one final time, then strike a ridiculous starfish pose for good measure. A laugh escapes me, shaking off the remnants of my nervous energy. With a deep breath, I head out to deliver my opening remarks and kick off my retreat, feeling a surge of confidence.

People begin casting on their beanies for local hospital patients, and I inhale a deep breath. Young Daphne would be proud.

---