Page 116 of Hot Shot

More relief, and I’m almost there. “Alright. Third—if I have a hunch that you need something you don’t know you need, can I boss you around under the assumption that you’ll tell me if it’s not the time?”

When she laughs, I feel so much better than I did when I left a few hours ago. “Yes. You can boss me around, and I’ll tell you to cut it out if I need to.”

“Thank you,” I say as I stand, then smirk down at her. “Eat or bath?”

She looks confused, her frown comical and eyes narrowed. “Homework.”

“Homework is done tonight. You just said you did a ton. You had a shit garbage week. All you’ve done is bullshit for everybody else. So, which one? Eat or bath?”

Her mouth quirks, and I suspect she’s trying to figure out A) if I’m going to let it go on my own, and B) if she really wants me to.

The answer to both is no, and I watch her lips tilt in a smirk. “Bath.”

“I was hoping you’d say that,” I say, bending to pick her up off the couch. “The naked option is always my favorite.” She’s giggling and pretending to protest and squiggling to get away. I wonder if she knows that makes it worse. I have a suspicion she does.

After a second, her arms circle my neck, and she’s beaming up at me. I shoot her a little smile as we enter the bathroom.

“I like this smile on you.”

“I know you didn’t just tell me to smile more.”

It’s my turn to laugh. “No, it just tears me up to see you cry.”

She goes all sweetly big-eyed as I put her down in front of the clawfoot tub, stealing a little kiss.

“Now take your clothes off.”

I turn on the water and plug the drain, then turn to sit on the edge of the tub where I can watch her. My timing is impeccable—her pants are already in a pile at her feet, my tee in her hands. She pulls it over her head, revealing lacy pink panties, the curve of her hips, the swell of her breasts, her pale nipples pebbled.

Her cheeks are flushed when she smiles at me, and I take a moment to appreciate her as she approaches. She reaches for my shoulder, nudging my crossed ankles so I’ll make space for her. When my thighs are parted, she settles between them and leans into me.

My hands trail the curves of her waist. “I’m sorry I was a dick earlier.”

“You weren’t a dick. You were just trying to help.”

Down her hips, back to her ass where I linger, taking pleasure in the feel of her backside in my hands.

“I don’t ever want to do that to you,” I admit. “I never want to make you feel like he did.”

“I know,” she answers softly, her arms hanging on my shoulders and eyes on my lips. Then they meet my eyes. “Which is why it would be impossible. You listen. And you care. And you apologize when you’re an idiot.” When I smile sheepishly, she flashes a smile that stops my heart for a beat.

“Promise you’ll tell me if I cross a line. I’m afraid I won’t know, that I’ll push you somehow, accidentally?—”

She quiets me with a kiss, a slow, aching thing.

When she leans back, it’s with a smile. “I promise.”

Satisfied, I twist to check the water’s temperature. It’s maybe a quarter full, but the water’s steaming.

“Except when we’re naked,” she amends, and I give her a look. “Then you can do whatever the fuck you want.”

I shake my head, looking her up and down. “No boundaries?” she shakes her head, and my cock strains against the prison of my jeans. “No rules?” Another shake of her head. “You sure you want to promise that?”

She juts out her chin so our lips are almost touching, her words brushing my mouth. “There’s only one person who can tell me what to do, and it’s you, when we’re naked.” She tugs at my shirt, but I chuckle and grab her wrist, stroking the soft skin inside.

“Nope, this bath is just for you.”

Her lip pops out in a mighty pout. “Well, I don’t want the bath then if you’re not in it with me.”

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