Page 46 of Blazing Desires
I lean back slightly, my hand still cupping her head as the other holds her waist. I stand in one smooth motion, lifting her up. She's so light that I barely feel her in my arms, and it clicks—it's because herdadhasbeen controlling what she eats.
I fucking hate him.
With agonising slowness, she unwraps herself from me until her feet touch the floor and she takes a step back. Her hands fall to her sides, leaving only the seeping cold in their wake. I ignore the urge to pull her back to me and focus on the task at hand.
I grab her cute pyjama bottoms and go to my knees once again before her. It would be so easy to slip her panties to the side and worship her, the thought pumping blood straight to my dick, but I push it out of my mind.
Gathering the soft fabric, I open a leg for her to step into and tap her foot. She lifts it and I guide the material over her skin. I do the same with the other and she places one delicate hand on my shoulder for balance as we repeat the step. Once both her feet are in, I pull the fabric up until she's covered.
“Sit down, my love.”
I guide her back to the bench that is only a step behind her until she is perched on the edge. I rummage through the duffel until I find her cream-coloured knitted socks and pull them apart. Turning back to her, I lift one dainty foot onto my knee. Her skin is so soft that it’s like running velvet under my fingertips.
I gather a sock until it's easy to slip on and over her pyjamas to keep them tucked in and repeat with the other.Placing her foot on the ground, I glance up to see her sad eyes watching me.
Has anyone taken care of her like this since her mum disappeared from her life?
Now that she’s dressed again, I shift over to where my joggers are on the bench. I don't turn far enough to not see her in my peripheral, but I don't want to change with my dick practically in her face. I pop the button and zipper on my combat trousers and take them off with a practised efficiency.
I can see her watching me, her eyes raking over every inch of tatted skin. It makes me burn with need, but I push the thought away and drag my joggers on quickly to hide the evidence. I takeour discarded bottoms and fold them neatly, setting them on the bench. I hold out my hand and when she places hers in mine, I tug her gently to stand.
"Are you hurt anywhere else, Mea Divina? Chest, back, arms?"
I scan her body as if I can see under the hoodie she is wearing to examine her skin. I should have asked sooner, should have checked sooner instead of kissing her like a depraved man. She shakes her head and I feel the relief coursing through me, easing the guilt that was threatening to consume me.
“Then let’s eat.”
Iheat some frozen lasagne that’s still good and we eat in silence, happy to get food in our stomachs. This evening’s events have taken a toll on us both and I’m ready to fall into bed and sleep. While we’re eating, though, I make sure the house is secure. If Elodie can find us, I want to make sure we have every advantage, and that starts with him losing the element of surprise.The chances of him finding us are slim to none, and I’ll be impressed if he somehow manages to pull it off. Still, I won’t be taking any chances when it comes to Davina and her safety.
Once everything in the kitchen is put away and clean, we head back up the stairs. As we walk past the guest room I stop and gesture to the open door.
“This is the guest room. You can stay in here if it would make you more comfortable. Or I can and you can take my room if you'd like?”
I want to give her the choice, I'll probably end up sleeping outside of whichever room she chooses just to be close to her. The instinct to wrap her in my arms while we sleep is screamingat me for even giving her an option to be apart from me for the night.
She gives me a slightly confused stare and shakes her head, dragging me with her towards my bedroom. I don't know what this means, and now it's my turn to be confused as she pulls us into the room and closes the door.
We stop in front of our bags where she rummages before pulling out her toiletry bag and pointing to my bag, gesturing for me to do the same. I oblige and take mine out, but before I can even stand up straight, her hand is in mine and she’s tugging me to the bathroom.
We brush our teeth at the sink, me watching her every move as if she'll somehow disappear into thin air. It’s so domestic, so normal, and a pang goes through me at the realisation that this is what I truly want. Not with just anyone, but with her.
It’s only ever been her.
It's foolish. Once she finds out everything I’ve kept from her, she’ll never want to see me again. I can't say I'll blame her, but it will ruin me. If this is all I get, then I’ll take it.
I place my toothbrush back in the cupboard where it normally lives and she does the same. I beam at the way it looks so right to have it next to mine. I’m fixated as she removes the traces of makeup she’d applied earlier, her motions methodical.
Closing the cupboard after putting her bag in, she takes my hand in hers again and guides me into my room. At the edge of the bed, she peels back the covers and climbs in. Turning she pats the space she left me, next to her.
Fuck, how did she know I needed this?
“Are you sure, love? I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I can sleep down the hall?”
She shakes her head again at my offer, but it doesn't convince me. I refuse to make her feel like she doesn't have a choice here.I withdraw from the bed until she finally breaks her silence, halting my movements.
“Please stay, Blaze.”
Her voice comes out in a hoarse whisper, and it's my undoing. I climb into bed next to her and wrap her in my arms, her head resting on my chest as I place the covers over us.
