Page 108 of Mine

“Are you hurting anywhere?” I asked.

She nodded. “Yes, but I like the hurt. It’s a reminder of everything we did together. What was your favorite part?”

I breathed out. “It’s hard to pick. There was a moment when I had you in the pillory and knew everyone was watching us that I’ll remember forever. I loved knowing you belonged to me completely in that moment.”

“I loved knowing I was only yours. I was scared someone might recognize us, but then I let that go. It’s hard to let everything go.”

“I know,” I whispered, drinking her in.

She was beautiful. Heat clung to me, contrasting with the chill of the ice cream. I took another bite.

“I think I like being humiliated,” she said. “Just a little. I don’t know. I like being praised too.”

“It’s okay to like both,” I said. “We can explore doing more with both.”

“I want to try being tied up. Do you know how to do that?”

“Yes.” I breathed in deep, inhaling the scent of her soap as she washed herself off. “Shibari is one of my favorite things to do.”

And I had a thousand ideas of all we could try while she was tied up, but I was too tired to formulate any of them.

Pepper flipped off the water and stepped out, wrapping herself in a fluffy towel. I sat back as she stepped up to me, straddling my thighs. I scooped out a bite of ice cream and held it to her lips. She ate it, and then licked any remnants from the spoon.

“Good girl,” I whispered. “You’re unbelievably hot, Pepper. I’m lucky to be with you.”

“I feel lucky to be with you.”

She covered her mouth and yawned, which in turn made me yawn. Which made both of us smile like idiots.

“I think it’s time for sleep,” I said. “I’m fading.”

“Me too.”

We each took a few minutes to finish bedtime routines, turn off lights, put away the ice cream, and get more water. Finally, I collapsed beneath the blankets next to her in the dark.

She snuggled against me.

When was the last time I’d slept in the same bed as someone?

I wasn’t sure.

“Simon?” she whispered.

Simon.Hearing her say my first name made my heart skip a beat. “Yes, baby?”

“I…”

I swallowed hard.I love you.It was way too soon to say that, right?

But she didn’t finish her sentence.

And I couldn’t help but think she’d almost said it.

“Me too, Pepper,” I whispered.

She completely relaxed against me, her breaths evening out as she fell asleep.

I love you too.

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