Page 50 of Take My Breath Away
Pressure points. I’ve certainly got a pressure point in one particular muscle that’s got nothing to do with cramp. James’ touch is sure and deft and he clearly knows what he’s doing. The pain’s morphed into something intensely relaxing and I groan, this time from pleasure rather than pain.
“Where did you—?”
“Just lay back and close your eyes.”
It’s an order but a gentle one, and I’m more than happy to obey. And that’s exactly what I do as I settle into the cushions and let my eyes drift close, as I give myself up to James’ touch.
* * *
There’s not the faintest echo of the pain that’d almost brought tears to my eyes. Instead, it’s been replaced by a calm and loose relaxation that’s been missing for so long I’d forgotten how that could feel. And it feels good, but what feels even better is a soft brush of something warm against my cheek. Instinct and a need for more has me pushing my face into the touch.
“Perry?” James’ voice. It sounds distant yet close. “Time to wake up.” I don’t want to wake up, and be dragged out of this warm, fuzzy place I’m in. I mutter, and his laughter trickles over me. “Time to surface. Come on.”
My eyes, acting to a will of their own, drag themselves open. James is looking down at me, his smile soft and indulgent.
“You went into a deep sleep, but I knew you would. Pressure points, you see.”
Pressure points. My own pressure point is now not so… pressured. At least it means I can stand without embarrassing myself. I go to push myself up and, unsteady on my legs, I wobble, but I’m caught in James’ strong arms.
“Careful,” he murmurs. “It’s quite normal to feel a bit shaky.” He’s holding me tight and close, and makes no move to let me go, just like I don’t make a move to step back. Because I don’t want to step back from this man. I try to move in closer, but his arms hold me still.
“Let’s get you to bed.”
I giggle. I know that’s exactly what I’m doing but I can’t stop. I feel drunk when I haven’t touched a drop of alcohol, and the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
“Yes please.”
I see something in his face, something that pierces my fogged-up brain, but as nebulous as smoke it’s gone before I can catch it. My head’s heavy, slow and foggy and it’s hard to think or at least to think straight. Maybe I should feel mortified, maybe I should apologise. I seem to have a habit of drunk flirting with him, even though this time I’m not drunk.
“Sorry, only joking. Not that it was a very funny joke,” I mutter. He doesn’t answer, only gives me another of his guarded, unreadable smiles. “Yeah, best I go to bed. What a day. I feel kind of drunk, must be all those pressure points you… pressured.”
James’ hold on me has slackened, and I turn to go but I’m still unsteady on my feet, and once again he catches me.
His low, chuckling laugh is electricity sparking through my nerves.
“I don’t think you’re in any fit state to get yourself upstairs on your own, do you?”
“No, I’m okay. I think. If I take my time, I can—” The wind’s knocked out of me as James sweeps me up in his arms — and throws me over his shoulder like a sack of spuds. “What? What are you doing?” I wriggle in an attempt to get him to put me down but a sharp smack on my bum makes me gasp.
“You can barely stand up unaided, let alone climb the stairs. For Christ’s sake, stop fidgeting otherwise I’ll drop you. This is the quickest and easiest way to get you upstairs to bed.”
“Stop being a twat and put me down. The caveman approach is so yesterday.” Although if the caveman’s James, I’m sure it’s one I could get used to.
He snorts, taking no notice of me.
The fog swirling around in my brain has mostly cleared, thanks to the stinging slap. He could put me down, and this time I’d be steady as a rock. I’m not going to tell him that, not when my face is almost bobbing against his arse as he makes his way up. For a moment I wonder which bedroom he’s going to take me to, and I don’t want to examine too closely if the little lurch deep in my chest is disappointment or a kind of dull relief when he turns in the direction of my room when we reach the landing.
He toes the door open and puts me down on the bed. I stare up at him, not quite believing what’s just happened as he stares down at me through hungry looking eyes. My heart rate picks up and the muscles in my stomach tighten. I open my mouth to say something, anything, but all there is is a strangled noise that sounds worryingly like Jasper.
“Good night, Perry. Sleep tight.”
“James…?”
But he’s gone. I’m not sure what I was going to say.Stay here with me? Let me come with you?The words are best unsaid, of course they are, but as I stare up at the ceiling I’m not sure if I believe that.
Chapter Twenty-One
JAMES
