Page 27 of Hers to Call
- 7 –
Calita stood outside of her hotel room door and breathed deep. The scent of the candles she’d chosen from Anika’s shop drifted out to her and her shoulders relaxed. She was nervous, sure, but, Simon had been true to his word. He hadn’t pushed her. She opened the door and found him sitting in the small love seat adjacent to her bed, shirt and shoes off. The small flat screen on the wall was broadcasting a sports news show, the quiet voices of the anchors the only sound in the room. Candles were lit on the small bedside table, and dresser drawers in front of the bed.
She smiled at Simon’s relaxed pose. He smiled and crooked his finger. He reached for her when she got close and pulled her into his lap. He nibbled along her chin and licked across her cheek.
“Hmm, sugar.”
She snorted and stood. She needed to take a shower, she was sure sugar wasn’t the only thing on her face and arms.
“Sit, Cali.” He pointed at the small wooden table in front of him.
Her butt hit the surface of the table, obeying his order immediately. The smile he rewarded her with, sped her heartbeat. He lifted her leg and pulled off her tennis shoe. The sock was next, his fingers ghosting across her skin. He massaged her foot and she closed her eyes. Her body went pliant with every push into her heel. The scent of the candles, his touch, all of it lulled her into a place where she was floating. His chuckle brought her eyes open, he watched her, openly hungry for her. He kissed her heel and reached for her other foot, giving it the same ministration he’d given the other. Her body was putty by the time he’d finished.
He stood and held out his hand. “Come.”
She was damn near close to it, but that wasn’t what he meant, so she stood. He led her into the bathroom. And left her at the sink. He started the water and she could only stare. Did he think she was going to get into the shower with him? A streak of panic went through her and it brought his head up.
“What is it?” He moved to her and gripped her waist.
She shook her head. He sighed, but didn’t push it. He pulled her T-shirt from her pants and started to lift it.
She stilled his hands. “I use the shower time to unwind, I...” How could she explain to him?
“My prudish mate,” he murmured as he leaned over for a kiss.
She happily returned it.
“You need to come to my den so I can properly pamper you.” He sipped at her lips.
Her heart beat picked up and she worried for a moment that he would start pushing for more than she was ready for. He kissed her softly and left the bathroom. She took a deep breath and ran a hand across her face. She’d invited him and she was messing up. Cali suppressed a growl and stripped, rushing into the shower stall in case he came back into the bathroom. Not that the frosted walls of the shower offered much privacy.
She quickly showered and cursed as she realized her clothes were in the other room. Grabbing the silk kimono on the back of the door, she slid her arms into it, cinching it tight. Her steps were slow, and tentative as she walked out of the bathroom. Simon was sitting on the edge of the bed, and for a moment she panicked. He’d put his shirt back on, and his shoes sat beside him as though he was getting ready to leave.
“Come here, Calita.” His soft command carried across the room.
He made no moves, and no hint of what he was feeling showed on his face. She stopped in front of him. He parted his legs and pulled her between them. He ran his hands down her hips, the heat from his palms sinking through the silk. Her stomach did a slow roll as arousal flooded her body.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t—”
“No, you don’t apologize.” He slid a hand up along her inner thigh. “You’re calling the shots, Calita, but...”
She held her breath.
“You need to be sure you want me here. If you’re not comfortable, I can leave.”
“I don’t want you to leave,” she hastily said.
“Are you certain?” He trailed his fingers close to her sex and her mind fogged. “Calita?”
“I’m sure,” she whispered.
He moved his hand from her skin and pulled her down into his lap. “Now, what about coming to my den scares you?”
It took a moment for his change of subject to register. She cleared her throat and closed the robe tighter. “I’m not scared, apprehensive maybe?”
He hummed and kissed her softly. “If you’re going to give our relationship serious consideration, then we’ll need to leave outside of these four walls.”
He had a point, so she said nothing.
