Page 69 of Desperate Desires

I nodded, realizing it was foolish to feel that way.

It was just a body. We all had one. Besides, Ono had already seen every inch of mine.

His lids lowered as he looked at me, and I wished I knew what he was thinking.

I waited a moment, but he didn’t speak, and I continued to remove every last ruined piece of clothing until I was breathing heavily and completely nude.

He made a deep humming sound before turning to a large cabinet where he removed some things. Soap or body wash, I imagined.

I turned too, straightening my shoulders as I tried not to dwell on the fact I was naked with the stark light of day filtering in through the glass windowpanes in front of this fine as fuck man.

No, not man—husband. My husband.

Acknowledging that didn’t make it any easier.

I huffed a sigh, angry at myself for being ridiculous, and picked up my clothes, including the borrowed jacket from off the floor.

I leaned over and put it in the hamper and dropped my top and ripped pants and panties in with it.

“Fuck.”

I looked up, mouth going dry, as I met Ono’s rapt gaze.

“Sorry, I'm a mess right now. I haven't even shaved in a couple of days, and uh?—”

“What are you talking about? You didn’t shave?”

He looked adorably confused, and I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah. I mean I am sure you are used to having women who are, um, very put together. I don’t usually have time like that?—”

“Doc, do you think I give a fuck if you shave?” He scoffed, shaking his head.

“I-I don’t know. I mean, I’m sure the women you dated were thin and beautiful and had time to primp for you,” I began because, yes, I was sure they had.

I didn’t know what Ono wanted or expected of me. And for the first time in my adult life, I doubted myself.

And it sucked.

I felt inadequate. Not up to par or in his league.

I knew this was my baggage. Not his.

A holdover from my youthful days with Aunt Agnes and trying to fit in with the rich kids at the hoity toity Manhattan school she sent me to.

It was something I’d worked my whole adult life to put behind me. That feeling like I didn’t belong.

But there I was, open and vulnerable, just like a scared child, and I fucking hated it.

Ono’s mouth formed a hard line and his mien grew serious. He canted his head and stood stock still for one long, drawn out moment before he moved.

Then, suddenly, he was right in front of me.

My whole body sizzled with awareness. He was still fully clothed, and I was naked as the day I was born.

I licked my lips, uncertainty rising like the swell of the tide.

“Listen to me, Wife,” he growled, cupping those large, tattooed hands around my throat and lifting my chin with his thumbs so I had no choice but to meet his unblinking stare.

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