Page 51 of Desperate Needs

“You were incredible,” she whispered shy now for whatever reason.

I grinned and lifted her in my arms.

“What are you doing?”

“Cleaning you up so I can get you dirty again.”

“Oh. I, um, thought you were just going to leave me again,” she said, looking down, and I frowned.

Shit. Of course, she would think that. After all, I left yesterday after she fell asleep, and I planted that little bug on her computer.

Shit.

A wave of shame rolled in. Guilt for tricking her. For lying. I wasn’t supposed to care about this woman, but somehow, I realized I did.

While I’d been researching Clementine, I’d been catching feelings. And now that I’d had a taste of her, I knew it wasn’t going to be enough.

It was unavoidable as the tide. Unstoppable as the earth spinning.

I had obligations, though. People I owed. But that was something I could deal with later. I was not about to let the harshness of my reality taint what time we had together.

I was too selfish a prick for that.

“Hey,” I said, waiting for her to lift those pretty eyes to mine, “I’m not leaving you.”

“O-okay,” she whispered, laying her head on my shoulder and nuzzling my skin.

Fuck.

Fire spread through me. Emotions I’d never felt.

She trusts me.

I’d never had that before. Never had someone who simply accepted what I said was the truth.

She trusts me and I am lying to her.

But what was I supposed to do? I had to fix this and tell her. I was going to do that, I realized, making the decision once and for all.

She was going to be pissed, but I’d apologize. And she would forgive me. She was too good a person not to.

I carried her the rest of the way to the bathroom. Her shower stall was nice, but the one at my house was bigger.

I’ll show her soon.

Turning on the water, I waited for the temperature to be just right before leading her inside, then I hugged her to me.

Clementine let out a surprised squeal, and I smiled against the crook of her neck.

Then I bit her there, and she squealed again, only louder.

“Ouch!”

“What?” I asked with feigned innocence.

“You bit me,” she accused, but her eyes were dancing with mischief.

“I can’t help it. You’re delicious, Darlin’.”

---