Page 14 of Mine to Keep

“I am tired, but what will you do?”

He balanced on his elbow and braced his head on his hand. “I’ve always got work to do, but this is our wedding night, and even though you want to wait for sex, I’d still like to hold you if that’s okay?

She nodded. “Yes. I’d like that.”

“How about you take the bathroom first and shower, and then I’ll take my turn?”

She nibbled on her lips. “Okay.”

He rolled out of bed and helped her to stand. He held her until he thought she was steady and then released her. “I’ll turn down the bed and close the drapes. I’ll make a few calls while I wait, so don’t hurry.”

“Okay.”

He watched her walk into the closet and walk out with a nightgown. He wanted to tell her to put it back and that she’d never have permission to wear one in their bedroom. But it was her first night, and she was already nervous.

The bathroom door closed behind her before he walked around, closed the drapes, locked the door, and pulled the comforter down before turning on the one light on the nightstand. He moved across the room, got comfortable on the sofa in front of the fireplace, and went through some messages.

The door to the bathroom opened, and his first glance at her made his body stiffen and his cock harden. She had no idea that, standing with the light from the bathroom, her nightgownwas somewhat transparent so he could see every curve.

She nervously walked over to the bed and crawled on. She moved to her side, laid down, and looked at him. He had no idea how long he stared at her before coming to his senses.

Roland stood. “I’ll shower and be out.”

She nodded.

After the door closed behind him, he rested against it and slowed his breathing. How the fuck was he going to sleep next to her and not be able to touch her the way he needed to? Jesus, he’d never had this type of thing happen, and it was very disconcerting.

He stripped off his clothing and stepped into the shower. It took him less than five minutes to bathe. He thought about taking a cold shower but knew the effects wouldn’t last once he was in bed with her.

After wrapping a towel around his hips and brushing his teeth, he walked out of the bathroom and into the closet. As much as he wanted to drop the towel and slide into bed like he usually did, he had to take into consideration that she was a virgin, and they hadn’t known each other for long.

He turned off the bathroom light and then the one on the nightstand before slipping into bed beside her. When his eyes adjusted to the dark, he could see she was still awake and very tense.

“All we’re going to do is hold each other, so you don’t have to worry, Pet.”

“It’s just that I’ve never slept with anyone before and have never been allowed to be around men.”

He hadn’t realized how truly innocent she was, and it made him more possessive.

“Come here, Sweetheart.” He gently pulled her toward him, turned her face away, and then tucked her close to his body.

“How does this feel?” he asked.

He felt her tremble for a second, and then she nodded.

“Th-this is good.”

As much as he’d like to kiss her, he was too on edge and knew pulling away from her would be next to impossible.

He pressed his lips to the back of her head. “Sleep. I’ll be here.”

Laila nodded, exhaled, and relaxed against him.

The emotions that raged through him were so volatile he had to try to think of something else besides her. Contentment, confusion, desire, and frustration. It puzzled him, and he didn’t like how out of control he felt. He knew he’d feel so many other things eventually, but he’d deal with them then. Right now, he had enough on his mind to contend with.

Chapter Seven

When Laila woke the next morning, it was to find Roland’s side of the bed empty and cold.

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