Page 79 of Point of Contention

With Rylan perched atop the kitchen island, I rubbed a warm, wet towel over her belly and breasts, cleaning up the mess I’d made of her skin.

Neither of us had said anything, and the longer she remained silent, the more I worried I’d forced her to do something she hadn’t wanted to do.

I set the towel in the sink, then looked at her.

She frowned as she reached up to rub that crease between my brows. “Stop.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth a she watched me, then finally said, “I’m fine, Cabot.”

I breathed deeply.

“You don’t think I would have punched the shit out of you if I wanted you to stop?”

I smirked, crossing my arms over my chest as I leaned my hips against the opposite counter. “You’re just full of surprises.”

“Me?” Rylan pushed off the counter and jumped down, then stepped between my legs and looked up at me, leveling me with that indignant Rylan Blake stare. “I thought you were going to drown me.”

I widened my eyes dramatically and whispered, “I almost did.”

She licked her lips, then squinted. “You still mad about that Gage guy?”

The mention of Magnusson resurrected my rage. “Absolutely livid.”

“Hm.” She titled her head. “Guess I failed at sucking the venom out.”

My lips quirked up into a smile, but I shook my head. “You certainly did not.”

“But you’re still mad.”

“I am.”

She narrowed her gaze thoughtfully. “At me?”

I licked my lips, delaying the inevitable, then finally answered, “Yes.”

She nodded as if that was a completely logical response. “I don’t know what to do about that.”

“I do.” Sliding my hands around her waist, I turned her around and led her out of the kitchen and down the hall, stopping when we reached the door to the room that held my toys.

“Is my present still here?”

“Yes.”

“Even though I didn’t move in?”

“Yes, Rylan.” I sighed.

She giggled and a little anger eased out of my shoulders.

I opened the door, then pulled her inside.

Her eyes widened as she looked around. “Ooh,” she purred, “someone’s been busy.”

I rolled my eyes and watched her peruse the new equipment, each with red bows that matched the one I’d put on the spanking horse for her.

She looked over her shoulder at me. “All mine?”

“Yes.”

“We weren’t even together.”

---