Page 41 of Love Without Control

It wasn’t until I was back in my bedroom with the door closed that I realized I was still holding the piece of clothing she was folding earlier. Taking a step toward the door to return it to her, my feet faltered when I saw what was in my hand.

Panties. Black. Lace. Tiny.

Fuck me.

One part of my brain told me to take them back to her like a decent human being, but it was in a fierce battle with the dirty part of my brain that lifted the scrap to my nose for a deep inhale. They were clean and smelled like laundry detergent, but the depravity of the act made my cock twitch in my pants. They may not smell like her, but they belonged to her, and that was enough to satisfy me. For now.

That same dirty portion of my brain had me placing the panties beneath my pillow, and when I undressed and climbed into bed, one of my hands slipped underneath and gripped them in my fist as I fell asleep.

My entire face hurts.

That was the first thought I had when I opened my eyes the next afternoon in my bedroom. It was Saturday, and Jamie had done the rhinoplasty at her office a few hours ago.

Pushing my palms into the mattress, I scooted my body up and leaned against the iron headboard. That position seemed to help the intense pressure in my nasal passages a bit. I gingerly reached up and found that my nose was covered with bandages.

When a soft tap sounded on the door, I called out, “Come in,” my voice sounding thick and strained. I expected it was Jamie coming to check on me, so I was surprised to see Eden walking into the room with a tray in her hands.

“Hello, patient,” she said in a chirpy voice, striding across the room. “Are you hungry?”

“Actually, yes. I could eat something.”

She placed the tray on my lap and grinned cheekily. “Consider yourself lucky. Jamie told me I wasn’t allowed to spill hot soup in your lap.”

“I’ll be sure to thank her,” I replied dryly, surprised when she perched on the edge of the bed beside me.

“How are you feeling?” Her voice had lost that teasing edge, sounding almost sweet.

“I feel like someone stuck a couple large sheep up my nose.” I picked up the spoon and stirred the chicken noodle soup. Of course, I couldn’t smell it, but it looked delicious.

“Remember, your sense of taste will be a little off for a while,” Eden told me, watching as I scooped up a spoonful and placed it in my mouth. She was right. I could taste it, but the flavors were somehow muted due to not being able to smell.

“You’re not wearing your contacts,” I observed.

“I’m only supposed to wear them a few hours a day until I get used to them.”

“They really do make a difference,” I told her, taking another bite of the warm soup. “Covering your bright blue irises was a good idea.”

“Did you know that the plural of irises is actually irides? Unless you’re referring to the flower. Then it’s I-R-I-S-E-S, but when you’re talking about ocular anatomy, it’s I-R-I-D-E-S.”

I shook my head. “Nope, that’s a new one on me.”

“Most people just say irises though. The only people who say irides are pretty much eye doctors.”

Chuckling, I said, “As far as I know, you’re not an eye doctor, Eden.”

“I know, but I’m me,” she said with a shrug, as if that explained everything. Then she tapped an index finger against her temple. “I like knowing things other people don’t.”

“Well, keep them coming. I like hearing your random facts.”

She looked pleased by that. “How did you break your nose?”

I nibbled on a cracker, hiding my wince when I swallowed. At least I thought I hid it until Eden picked up the glass of water on the tray and handed it to me. Taking a sip, I handed the glass back to her.

“My brother punched me.”

Eden’s neck craned forward. “The same one who told you about the helicopter?”

“Yep. One and the same.”

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