She reached out to take the glass, but he pulled it away with a frown, then held it up to her mouth. She blushed. She wasn’t a child. She opened her mouth to protest but then she saw the look on his face. He needed this right now. And it was a small thing she could do for him that cost her nothing. She drank a few sips. It was ice cold, and she started to feel a little better.
He eyed her critically. “Have you eaten tonight?”
She refrained from telling him that she could afford to skip a meal or two. Kinley wasn’t stupid. She already had one punishment coming, she didn’t want to add to it.
“Yes.”
“What did you eat?”
A warm feeling grew in her stomach. Much as she might protest or pretend to be annoyed, she liked that he fussed. She’d really messed up by not telling him she might not be on time. God, she couldn’t lose him. Kinley hated feeling so desperate, so scared he’d leave her. Like everyone else.
“I’m waiting for an answer,” he said mildly. Too mildly. He was angry. She needed to help him calm down. She knew one surefire way to soothe him. She glanced down at his crotch. He had a magnificent cock, and she really loved when he ordered her to her knees. “Kinley,” he said in a warning voice, although she heard a hint of amusement. “Look at me.”
She glanced up.
“Do I want to know what you’re thinking?”
She licked her lips. “Maybe.”
He huffed out a chuckle then shook his head. “I’m mad.”
Relief filled her. He might be annoyed at her, but he’d lost that cold, quiet tone.
“I know, I’m really sorry for worrying you.” Because that’s where all his ire stemmed from. His fear for her.
“You still don’t look right,” he commented. He placed a big, rough hand over her forehead. The warmth of his palm was a stark contrast to her chilled skin.
“You’re cold.”
“Poor circulation,” she quipped.
“You ate something for dinner?”
She nodded. “I did. I promise.” If ramen noodles counted as dinner.
She let out a quiet breath. “I’m fine, really. I just had a long week, that’s all.”
He nodded then held out his hand. She slipped her much smaller one into his calloused grasp. She loved his hands. They were huge, rough, and tanned. Strong and capable. They made her feel safe. “Where are we going?” she asked suspiciously as they walked towards the lounge exit. Somehow, she got the feeling he wasn’t taking her into the dungeon.
“I’m taking you home and putting you to bed.”
That should have sounded sexy . . . except she knew she hadn’t earned any pleasure. Not before her punishment anyway, which meant he was going to do exactly as he’d stated.
Exactly.
She tugged on his hand, coming to a stop. He immediately stilled and turned to look at her.
Before Kinley met him, Sloan had an incident with one of Roarke’s subs, Ava. He’d been tricked into thinking she was someone else. Someone who wanted to be forced to submit. He’d scared her, and it had taken him a long time to get over that. Kinley still didn’t think he’d forgiven himself.
Sloan was a big guy. He could use force if he wanted to. So, he was very careful not to.
“I don’t need to go home to bed.”
“You’re exhausted.”
“I’m fine. I just needed a minute to take a breath. That’s all.”
“You’re pale.”