Page 36 of Pretty Please Me
“But there’s one more thing we need to deal with.” His deep voice cuts through the easy silence.
“Oh? What’s that?”
“Your punishment…”
FOURTEEN
Maggie
I stand frozen in place, gripping my robe like a life preserver as Sam sits on the edge of his freestanding tub and draws me a bubble bath. Of all the possible punishments my mind could conjure in the twenty-minute drive to get here, this is quite possibly the last thing I could’ve imagined.
My palms are sweaty, and I feel as if I could vomit or pass out, or maybe a combination of both.
I look up at the bright overhead lights that will surely expose every imperfection I have and probably create a whole slew of new insecurities. I feel like I’m standing at the opening of an aircraft, about to be thrown out without a parachute.
“I’ll step out and give you some privacy. Can I get you anything to–”
“Wine, please… No, actually, do you have any vodka?”I’m going to need some liquid courage if I’m expected to go through with this.
Sam laughs as he opens the door. “I’ll see what I can conjure up.” He winks, and then he’s gone, leaving me alone with mypunishment.
I wait a moment to make sure he’s gone before stripping off the robe and practically cannonballing into the tub, shielding myself underneath the clustered layer of bubbles while splashing an obscene amount of water out in the process. The water’s slightly warmer than is comfortable, but my aching muscles cry out in relief. It feels wonderful, so good I almost forget Sam’s about to return.
I try to arrange the bubble clumps over my important bits to create a barrier, but the more I move them around, the thinner they seem to become. I’m just about to squirt in another heap of bubble bath and swish the water aggressively with my open hand when Sam’s tall frame appears over me.
I drop the bottle, and it clashes over the side of the tub, landing on the floor. I sink low, so even my mouth is covered in the water. “Is there something wrong with your bath?” he teases and quirks his brow. In his hand is a crystal glass, holding what I hope is straight alcohol.
Hesitantly, I take the glass, reaching my arm out as far as possible without moving my bubble-shielded body from its position. I realize that sooner or later, Sam will probably see me naked. I just thought I’d have more time to warm up to it, and I didn’t think it would be so one-sided.
I bring the ice-cold liquid to my lips and take a heavy swallow of what tastes like vodka and cranberry. He’s added some cinnamon and something else that give it a nice festive flavor. I nod in silent approval and set the glass on the side of the tub as I sink back down like a swamp monster. My eyes trained on Sam as something like pure terror mixed with curiosity prickles in my chest.
He begins rolling up the sleeves of his button-up shirt, showcasing the most defined forearms I’ve ever seen covered in colorful tattoos. It’s only now I realize I’ve never seen Sam in anything other than a long-sleeved dress shirt. In all the years I’ve known him, I guess I never considered it strange.
I suppose I never considered him at all.
I don’t know how that’s possible now. Maybe it’s because the water feels so amazing on my skin, or the fact that I’m completely naked with only a few bubble mounds separating me from his view, or the fact that I feel like he’s the first person I’ve ever known whom I can completely trust… but as I study how precise his movements are, I can’t help but wonder if maybe all of this time I just didn’t have the right partner.
He lifts the loofa and applies a generous amount of shower gel, and I suck in a breath when he reaches under the water and grabs my foot.
“Relax, Magnolia. I’m not going to hurt you,” he says gruffly, and I let out a whimper as he massages my sore foot, lathering it with the warm soap.
I take another swig of my liquid courage, then hurry to shield myself underneath my bubble blanket as Sam watches and laughs.
“I knew you’d be nervous, but this is almost too perfect of a punishment.” He laughs again, then drops my foot and trades it for the other. A moment passes, and there’s only the sound of our breaths before he breaks the silence. “Do you understand why I was upset with you today?”
I nod, keeping my eyes trained on his talented hands. Sam’s touch is excruciatingly delightful. It’s doing things to my body that I’ve never felt with anyone, and he’s only touching my feet. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have him really touch me, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about it right now.
“Use your words, please. It’s hard to have a one-sided conversation, and I’d like to talk about this,” he scolds.
“Oh… um… you were mad because I didn’t answer my phone as you’d asked me to,” I offer nervously.
“And?” he pries, pressing firmly into my heel.
“And you were worried because you couldn’t find me, and no one had heard from me.”
“Close.” He slides his hand up my calf, alternating between scrubbing it with the loofa and massaging it. He’s scooted closer to me now, and the cold air nips at my exposed skin. “I was fucking terrified today. You scared the shit out of me, Magnolia. I don’t know what I would’ve done if something had happened to you. Anything could’ve happened while you were asleep.”
“I know. I’m really sorry.”
