Page 27 of Blushing Bride

She was so very unsure.

I wasn’t deterred by her change in demeanor. I knew that it was probably just a result of her shame over what we did together last night, and it was making her a bit standoffish.

“Why don’t you sit down at the table? Let me take care of you?” I pressed. I whisked a few more berries into the batter, turning my back to her and giving her a respite while I prepped our meal.

“It’s okay. I’d like to help,” she said softly. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her glance toward me. She was still, as if she was waiting for me to do something. Was she trying to get a rise out of me? What was she up to?

“Sure thing. Why don’t you set the table for me? I only need a few more minutes before it’ll be ready.”

Beside me, she rifled through the cabinets and drawers, gathering what she needed before she moved over to the table. When she was done, I watched as she sat down in the chair. My cock hardened at the sight of her wincing as if her bottom was still a little sore.

I swallowed back my arousal, taking longer than necessary to load up a plate with freshly made pancakes. I found a container of butter in her fridge, as well as some syrup that had been hidden on one of the shelves.

She lifted a brow as I joined her. With a spatula, I served her a raspberry pancake and a blueberry one. When she reached for her fork and knife, I pressed my hand gently against hers.

“Not yet,” I coaxed.

“Okay…” She sat back, clearly unsure as she shifted in her seat. With an easy grin, I topped her pancakes with syrup and butter. When it was ready, I pushed the plate in her direction.

“Like this,” I said.

Her blush stayed painted all over her beautiful face the whole time. I couldn’t get enough of it.

She picked up her fork and knife and this time, I watched as she cut a bite of one and tentatively pressed it in between her lips. She was wary as she started to chew, but that quickly bled away the moment she had her first taste.

“Oh! That’s delicious!” she exclaimed.

“I thought you’d like it,” I grinned.

Her body relaxed just the tiniest bit. It made me happy to see.

“I really do. You’re full of surprises, Ryker Gates,” she mused, and I smirked a little, catching her gaze and making her face redden even further.

She hastily took another bite, chewing quickly in an effort to fill her embarrassed silence. I decided that I would have to be more direct with her.

“How are you feeling this morning, Naomi?” I asked with just an edge of concern, but I kept my voice soft.

“A bit sore,” she admitted, nervously glancing up toward me and then back at her plate. I reached out and took hold of one of her hands in mine, gently brushing my thumb back and forth across her knuckles. A soft sigh escaped her lips, and I squeezed her fingers just a little.

“Do you like that you’re sore?” I pressed.

Just when I thought her cheeks couldn’t turn any redder, they did. With a turn of her head, she avoided my gaze and chewed her lip. When I happened to catch her glancing back at me, it was almost as if she was waiting for something. I knew what to do.

“I expect an answer when I ask you a question, Naomi,” I pushed. I did nothing to hide the warning in my voice. I chose that same moment to squeeze her hand in mine. She stared down at my fingers with a heated look.

“Yes,” she breathed. She opened her mouth to say something else, but immediately closed it as if she’d thought better of it.

“I like it too, very much,” I continued. “Finish your breakfast, little girl.”

“Yes, sir,” she mumbled, and my cock jumped at the sound of it.

With as much self-restraint as I could muster, I let her eat the rest of her meal in peace and when she was finished, I slid another pancake on her plate.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” she exclaimed.

“One more. For me,” I encouraged, and she smiled tentatively before taking another bite. She ate the whole thing without further complaint, which only confirmed that she was as hungry as I had suspected she might be. She’d worked up an appetite last night. I knew I certainly had.

“That was the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted. Is it a recipe from your home?” she finally asked. Dabbing her lips with a napkin, she smiled up at me. Her wariness had mostly dissipated, but I wasn’t going to push anything just yet.

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