Page 25 of Caged in Desire
Henry smiled down at me. “I wouldn’t know. It was never going to be an option, so I never opened that door.”
Now that’s something I can relate to. “And what about women? Have there been any special girlfriends in your life? Were you with someone when you found out you had to hitch yourself to me?”
His laughter startles me. “God, no. I don’t know if you’ve realized it or not, but I stay pretty busy.” He pauses, a huge grin growing on his face as he winks at me. “More than that, I’ve never had the time to focus on a relationship the way someone deserves.”
“You’ve been great with me lately.”
“You’re my wife. It’s my responsibility to take care of you.”
His voice drops, and suddenly, thoughts of him taking care of me in moreintimateways cross my mind. “So you’veneverbeen in a relationship?” I ask, trying to clear my head before I completely overheat.
I feel Henry tense up slightly. “Well, yes. I’ve been in relationships.”
“Okay…explain.”
“My relationships have been more contractual by nature, and not in the same way ours is.”
“You mean, like,Fifty ShadesBDSM contractual?" I’m only half serious, but that’s the only situation I can think of that would require a contract.
“Yes,” he deadpans.
I’m at a loss for words. There's an emotional warfare going on inside me where jealousy, curiosity, and arousal are all fighting for control. “Oh. Well then…”
Picking up on my change in posture, Henry pulls me toward him. “Katarina, if you ever want to know more, all you have to do is ask. I’ll tell you everything. But that's all my past. And no woman I’ve ever been with holds a candle to my wife.”
As if his words weren’t enough to make me blush, the look in his eyes causes me to shy away from his gaze.
Henry gently takes my chin in his hand, lifting my attention back to him. “Why do you always deflect my compliments? Don’t you know you’re the most stunning woman in the world?”
Henry smiles softly when I shake my head. “You are, Kitten. Inside and out. Both the most beautiful and most fascinating woman to have ever walked this planet.” He pauses to push a strand of my hair behind my ear, his hand still supporting my chin. “And you’re allmine.”
Chapter thirteen
After years of routine and relative satisfaction with a life driven by work, racing home from a late dinner meeting to tell my wife good night is not something I expected of myself. But as I throw the car into park and stride purposefully to Katarina’s room, I’m more content than I’ve been all day.
The past two weeks have been odd, for me at least. To have someone in my space and not feel an ounce of resentment has shocked me, although when I mentioned to Potts it was nice to be home and seeing more of my wife lately, she didn’t seem surprised at all. It’s taken some effort to move things around and not have as many travel days or late meetings, but I think Katarina and I have benefited from our time together.
As I’ve gotten to know her more and more, her intelligence and maturity have astounded me. Her daily discussions keep me on my toes, and I know if I try to speak about anything I don’t grasp fully, she has no qualms calling me out. Yesterday, for seemingly no reason, she teased me with questions about the inner workings of electricity until I had rambled for ten minutesand finally had to say, “I don’t know, Katarina,” which seemed to delight her.
She’s someone I can consider a good friend now. I’m certain she wants more, but I won’t be the one to make the final move. She’s inexperienced, and this is all new to her…There cannot be an ounce of doubt in my mind that she desires me for me, not out of obligation. After Linda’s petty comment about grooming, I decided that no one would have a leg to stand on with accusations that I coerced my wife in any way.
If she wants me like I think she does, she has to bedrippingfor me. I’ll continue my little touches and encouragements as she gains confidence to take what she wants. Approaching her door, I smile, thinking of her curled up in her nest. My kitten loves blankets but gets hot when she sleeps, so I bought her an undersheet cooling system that allows her to have the feeling of sliding into a cool, crisp bed constantly. At this time of night, she’s probably burrowed under a pillow, one foot sticking out…
A high-pitched whine stops me in my tracks as I reach Katarina’s door. Forgoing knocking, I try to turn the handle only to find it locked. Briefly, I consider her lying inside, injured, and despite the fact that this door is solid wood, I think I could bring it down with my shoulder.
“Ughhh, more, pleaseee.”
That doesn’t sound like a distressed noise, and I realize when I hear a faint buzzing exactly what my kitten’s up to. She’s getting herself off. Or becoming frustrated while trying to, if her moans are anything to go by. Not only sounds of pleasure, but adorable little growls and frustrated groans that make me think perhaps she’s not an expert in this activity.I wonder if she’s ever made herself come at all.
“Mmm, Henry, please, please, please…”
I release the handle as if burned and step back, hitting the far side of the hallway and placing my hands on my knees. Shesounds sofrustrated,and it pains me not to go in and help. I could. God, I could burst through the door and justhelpher get off. It wouldn’t take much, one, maybe two fingers inside her, touching places that her little fingers can’t reach. Maybe a whisper of pressure on her clit, and she’d be coming apart beautifully for me.
Imagining her chest flushed with desire, mouth open on my name, violet eyes wide and teary with pleasure, I’ve decided sheneedsme. My hand is back on the handle, ready to put my shoulder into this door and help my wife in a way only I can, when she shrieks and throws something at the door. Jolting back, I hear a buzzing sound. She must have gotten so frustrated that she flung her vibrator across the room.
This was exactly the wake-up call I needed, becausewhatam I doing? Running my hands through my hair, I take long, quick strides back to my room, fighting the urge to slam the door behind me. Locking myself in, I pull on my hair as I lean heavily against the wall.
What was I about to do? Burst into her room and pretend I’d be able to keep myself from fucking her? Pretend I could resist her perfect little body if it were spread out for me? She'd be mine whether she was ready or not, and who knows if she’s ready for me in that way. My wife’s been flirting with me lately, but that isn’t consent to losing her virginity to her beast of a husband bursting into her room after missing her during his late meeting like a lovesick teenager.
