Page 21 of Take Me Slowly: Part 1
"What are you doing?" I sat up straighter.
"Running you a bath." He disappeared into the bathroom, quickly followed by the sound of water.
"Connor," I called out after him. I would have gotten up, but right now my legs didn't want to behave. They'd happily stay here on the couch and let him rub them forever. Traitors. My clit was thinking along the same lines.
I closed my eyes for a moment until he spoke.
"The bath is almost full. Do you need help getting naked?"
Did he have to make that sound so enticing?
"I can do it," I said. After a moment, and with a ton of reluctance, I added, "But I can't get into the bath."
He stopped halfway back to me, looking confused and uncertain for the first time since I'd met him. "You can't?"
"Not… Not like this." I gestured towards my still swollen legs. He was right, the water would help, but supporting myself on one leg and then the other with a bath as high as the one the cottage had? It would hurt like hell.
"I'll help you in," he said as though nothing was simpler.
"You don't have to do that," I argued weakly.
"And miss the opportunity to see you naked?" He managed a cocky grin. "Not a chance."
I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm sure you have better things to do."
"Not really." He stepped over and offered both of his hands. His expression became serious. "Look, you need help. I know you think I'm a massive douchebag."
"You said it, not me." I gripped his hands and let him ease me to my feet.
"I deserved that," he said. "But that's not how we are around here. If someone needs help, we give help."
"Even if that someone is an outsider?" I asked.
He regarded me for a moment. "Seems like you're sticking around." Without warning, he leaned down and scooped me up into his arms.
I let out a short squeal, but didn't try to stop him from carrying me into the bathroom before carefully lowering me back to my feet.
"Take your clothes off," he said.
Part of me wanted to tell him to fuck all the way off, but the steam rising from the bath, and the tower of bubbles on top of the water were enticing.
"Turn your back," I said.
He gave me a disbelieving look, then slowly turned around to face the wall.
Satisfied he wasn't looking, I stripped down to my underwear, placing my clothes beside the sink. Very much aware I was dressed in only a matching set of dark purple panties and bra, both with sheer lace. My nipples both responded to the rush of cooler air, and his presence.
"Okay, if you can help me into the water," I said with further reluctance. I liked to be independent. Flare-ups fucked with that. On top of that, I was practically allergic to asking for help. I couldn't think of many things I hated more.
He turned around slowly and ran his gaze up and down my body.
"Beg," he said.
I blinked at him. "What did you say?"
"I said if you want help into the bath, be a good girl and beg," he said.
"Please," I said, trying to ignore the increased throbbing between my thighs.
