Page 21 of The High Price Of Loneliness

Angelica complied, wrapping herself around his side with her knee gently bent and wrapped over his thighs. She could feel his warmth as her head nestled next to his cheek.

They both sighed and took a deep breath, as he asked her, “How do you feel?” He paused. “Anything hurting?”

“No, I feel amazing,” she shared with a huge smile looking up at him. “I’m a bit exhausted, but everything is good.”

“Excellent. I’m so glad to hear that. You were equal parts nervous and then amazing today, Kitten,” he complimented her. “If I may, I would like to ask, what are a few things that you most enjoyed that you would want more of in the future, and … maybe one or two things you would want less of next time?”

She thought about his question for just a moment, but then she simply gushed, “I loved everything! All of it. I wouldn’t want to change anything.” She smiled and squeezed him with her arm and leg wrapped around him pulling herself gently tighter into him for just a moment and then relaxing again.

“Good. Thank you for sharing, but always know that this is a safe space for you to talk and communicate with me, Angelica. I don’t have a fragile ego. I won’t take comments or suggestions personally. Real and open communication is key for us to grow and learn together. Does that make sense?”

“Yes. I agree completely,” she nodded gently. “But not all men feel that way. If you say something or offer a suggestion, they get angry, or their feelings are hurt.”

“Exactly right. But exactly the wrong way to think and feel about honest communication. In life, Angelica, something is either growing or dying whether that is a person, a plant, a business, a relationship—anything. I want to always be on a journey to stretch and grow. So, the only way we can learn and grow together is if we agree we can talk openly, not to be unkind or harsh, but have free and open communication. Is that fair?” he asked her encouragingly.

“That’s perfect, and yes, I agree,” she said as she smiled and felt safe living in his words and the world he was introducing her to.

“Final question,” Gray began as he gently stroked her hair and traced his fingers down her shoulder and back, barely grazing across her skin lightly. “Did you feel comfortable in the Red Playroom? Did you feel safe with me?”

“Yes. Completely. One thousand percent,” she instantly reported. “You made me feel totally safe with your voice, how you guided me, and in everything you did, Edward.”

“Excellent. That is very important to me, Angelica,” Edward added with purposeful intent. “You will always be safe when you are with me, but knowing that and feeling that way grows stronger over time. Thank you for sharing. This lifestyle requires much greater than average communication before, during, and after playtime. I hope you don’t mind.”

She closed her eyes and drifted off for a bit nestled under the soft blanket and the glow that filled her in Edward’s arms.Bliss, she thought silently to herself.

CHAPTER SEVEN

The Sugaring

Angelica awoke from a deep sleep in the Red Playroom to discover Edward was gone. No clocks were in the room, so she had no idea how long she had napped. Was it the middle of the night? She got up slowly, put on the sheer robe that Edward had given her, and quietly left to use the bathroom across the hall and then to go find Edward.

Quietly, she walked the long hallway to the kitchen, where she discovered him wearing only his black yoga pants and no shirt. His toned, sculpted body made her think of the famous statue of “David” by Michelangelo. She stood there smiling quietly to drink in the picture of Gray making a snack tray from the refrigerator.

Finally noticing her watching him, he returned her gaze steadily and smiled. “I didn’t want to wake you,” he explained. “You were deep asleep, so I covered you with the blanket and eased quietly out of bed.”

“How long was I sleeping?” she asked yawning, rubbing her eyes and face gently.

Edward replied, “Only about an hour or so. I came back and checked on you once, and you were really out so I just let you sleep. Are you hungry?”

“Yes! I’m starving,” she replied, smiling at the invitation.

“I made us a late-night snack tray from our dinner earlier. There was so much good food left untouched.”

“I would love some. Dinner was so amazing!” she recalled. “Should I still wear this to eat in?” she said playfully, watching Edward’s eyes drink in her sexy shape easily visible through the very sheer material.

Edward smiled and said, “Perhaps I can offer you something more comfortable to change into for a late-night bite. Follow me,” he invited her as he took her hand for the walk to the other wing of the house. There in his master suite opened two large-scale dressing rooms lined with elegant clothes of all types.

She marveled at the enormity of his dressing rooms. They were easily as big as her bedroom at home. “Would you prefer a shirt or a robe?” Edward asked, running his hand over a few options for her choosing.

“One of your shirts—definitely,” she replied. “How about that one?” she said, pointing to one of the soft white linen long-sleeve shirts she loved seeing him wear.

“Of course,” he offered, handing her the hanger.

The robe dropped to the floor as she turned her back to Edward for modesty, for some reason, as she slipped into his long white shirt.

Edward scooped up the feather-adorned sheer robe, placed it on the hanger, and hung it on an ornate gold wall hook. As he was a Virgo, everything had a place in his closet, and everything was in its place. White shirts were all in a neat row, and above them, the blue shirts were in theirs. She noted that even the socks were paired and rolled into perfectly symmetrical balls like so many eggs in a carton in their neat wicker basket in Gray’s closet.

“Let’s eat outside,” he invited, and off to the kitchen they went to retrieve the tray of delicious delights waiting for them. Gray asked, “Would you like another glass of wine or just water?”

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