Page 85 of These Rough Waters

“Torin, you scared me!”

“What are you doing, little doe?”

“Cleaning.”

“Why?”

“Because it needs doing,” Maya turns and presses her back to the sink, watching me advance.

“Did I not make myself clear?”

“About what?”

My hands land on either side of the sink, trapping her in the cage of my arms, “I’m taking care of you.”

“Torin, it’s just dishes.”

“Let me ask you a question, little doe,” my finger trails down her jaw and to her neck, the delicate column stretching up as she lifts her chin, seeking more of my touch, “Did you want to do it, or felt like you had to?”

Silence greets me.

“Answer the question, sweetheart.”

“Both?”

“It makes sense now,” I say sadly, “But what you had and what wehaveis not the same. You do not have to do this. This isn’t your job.”

“Then what can I do?” She asks.

“You can kiss me, little doe, right now,” my lips touch hers, “And later, when I have you to myself, you can spread yourself wide soIcan take care of you but let’s not pretend this is selfless.” My teeth graze her bottom lip, “I love hearing you scream my name. I want to worship you the way you deserve, care for you the way you deserve. Give everything to you so I can earn this damn spot next to you.”

“Torin…”

“Let me care for you sweetheart,” I kiss the corner of her mouth, “I want to care for you.”

Forty

Being in Torin’s bedroom was surreal. It felt odd that I hadn’t yet stepped foot in here since we are sleeping with each other after all, but here I was, standing in the threshold of his massive bedroom. Three of the walls are painted a dark grey to match the color of the storm clouds but one wall, the wall facing the bay was just glass that gave a view of the ocean. Stars twinkled brightly in the clear dark sky, a fat moon, not quite full, hangs like a canvas against the darkness and casts a silver glow across the water.

I’d showered and was now dressed in a pair of shorts and tee, looking at that wall of windows and the very large bed that sits in the center of the room, donned with black sheets and blankets.

“Are you afraid the bed may bite?” Torin’s gravelly voice from behind sends a shiver down my spine.

A lot had happened today, my mind couldn’t pin on one thought. From news of Torin’s wife to my ex, to the fact that Torin and Rett were hired hitmen… How does one process all of it without their brain melting into a pile of goo?

Initially, I was terrified. And then… it made sense.

And I didn’t know exactly why, but I always knew Torin wasn’t ordinary. He wasn’t just the grumpy fisherman in a small town, he had a big, powerful aura that screamed there was more to him than the life he was living here.

I’d been around terrifying men my whole life, been around men who did questionable things and always been afraid, and that trauma is what stemmed my reaction before. But Torin wasn’t like them.

Never has been and I knew he never would be.

“I’ve just never been in here.” I say quietly.

“Make yourself at home, little doe,” his palm runs down my spine and then over my ass, to the crease where it meets my thigh. He cups the cheek, squeezing playfully, “I’ve wanted to see what you’d look like spread out on my bed for a long time.”

My feet pad across the soft carpet and I place a knee onto the mattress, already feeling how soft it is, “How did you ever sleep in my bed at the cabin when you had this?” I groan, not hesitating to sink into the bed, letting it swallow me up with the blankets and pillows.

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