Page 11 of Blade
I sigh. “And you don’t think we’ll have to testify?”
“Doubt it. The state has plenty of evidence. After what happened yesterday, I don’t think they’ll risk your lives again. If they do need you, there are measures we can take to minimize the threat level. But there’s no need to worry about any of that now. It will be a long time before the trial.”
“Okay.”
Blade strokes my cheek. “I’m going to take your clothes off. I promise I don’t have an ulterior motive this morning. I want you to feel better. That’s it. Okay?”
“You say that like you’re warning me that the lack of ulterior motive is temporary.” I certainly hope so, as batshit as my thoughts are right now. I only met Blade yesterday.
He grins. “Oh, it’s definitely temporary. I suppose I should have worded that better. I have all kinds of ulterior motives, but I won’t act on any of them today. How’s that?”
I sigh dramatically. “Kind of disappointing, actually.” I do not know this bold version of myself. When did I last flirt with a man like this? If I ever did, it was ten years ago.
He growls. The tone startles me and makes my nipples hard. I like that sound. He’s a feral animal out for prey. I’m not sad about this unlikely development.
Blade drops onto his knees between my legs, plants his hands on either side of me, and closes his eyes, breathing deeply. “June…”
I affect him. It’s heady. I don’t think any man has ever reacted this strongly to me. Pete might have pretended to be hot for me in the beginning, but it was all part of his ploy to get me under his thumb. It wasn’t real.
I was raised in an abusive household, and I fully understand that it shaped me and made me more at risk of carrying on the cycle. I couldn’t recognize it for what it was until I got out, though.
I’m sure my father pretended to wine and dine my mother in the beginning, the same way Pete did with me. Once he’d taken over my life, I was trapped. Isolated. Jobless. His servant.
Pete fucked me, but there was no romance. It did nothing for me. He didn’t see to my needs. He made me feel like I wasn’t capable of even having needs. Maybe I’m not.
Except I feel things with Blade. I’ve never felt half of what he’s made me feel several times, and we’ve known each other for less than a day. I’m tired and hungry and broken. But I am alive.
There’s a flutter in my stomach I’ve never experienced. Maybe I felt a twinge of it with Pete and I just don’t remember. It was six years ago. I must have felt something, but it died a quick death.
I haven’t cared. I’ve been reclusive for three years, hiding in my apartment, enjoying the fact that I felt safe. Ha. I’m not safe any longer. Except maybe I am. No one is going to get to me in this fortress. I noticed the elevator doesn’t go to the other floors. I couldn’t have gotten into the elevator for these top two floors without the help of the very kind man at the front desk in the lobby.
For the first time I can remember, I’m a sexual being. I never believed I was the dead fish Pete accused me of being. I knew the reason I was never wet for him was his fault. But words do damage, and his did enough to keep me from leaving my apartment to find another man I could spread my legs for. The idea actually made me sick.
Until today.
Blade finally opens his eyes as if he needed to compose himself before he could face me again. I could be mistaken and misreading the situation, but the idea makes me feel powerful.
“I’m going to give you a bath, June. I can’t pretend I won’t be affected by your body, but I can promise I won’t act on it. Not today.”
I nod.
He rises and helps me stand. “You have to be hot in this sweatshirt.” He grabs the hem and lifts it over my head before I can say a word.
“I…”
He isn’t moving, and I tip my head back to find him staring at my chest. He’s not breathing. My sweatshirt is fisted in his hand.
I lick my lips and finish my lame explanation, “I couldn’t figure out how to put a bra on. This was the only thing I could think to wear to keep that from being obvious to everyone in your office. Plus, the sleeves were loose enough to fit over my cast.”
He swallows as his gaze lifts to my eyes.
Perhaps I should be offended by his stare, but I’m not. I feel sexy. And I like it.
He drops my sweatshirt onto the floor, though I’m not sure he’s aware of his actions. It’s immediately forgotten. His hand comes to my cheek, and he strokes with his thumb. “Fuck, you’re gorgeous. I’m glad you chose this sweatshirt. I might have had to blindfold my men if you’d been wearing something revealing. I had no idea I had such a jealous streak, but apparently so.”
I bite my bottom lip, trying not to react. His voice is deep. It makes my nipples pucker, and I’m pretty damn sure my panties are wet. For the first time since he mentioned undressing me, I’m a bit embarrassed. He’s going to find out how wet I am in a minute.
Blade shivers as he drops to his knees and hooks his fingers in the waistband of my yoga pants, capturing the elastic of my panties at the same time.
