In ordinary circumstances, yes, Drake would be impatient and pissed. He would already have cut a woman loose for Evangeline’s transgressions. But Evangeline’s were understandable, and he couldn’t bring himself to admonish her when her worries centered on others and not herself.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You haven’t failed me, Angel. I imagine we will both make mistakes in our relationship’s infancy. You be patient with me and I’ll be patient with you.”
She smiled, the sparkle back in her eyes. “Now what’s this about my surprise?”
He touched the bare expanse of her back, unable to stifle the urge to simply touch her silken skin.
“I believe I said that first we would eat. You must be starving. Besides, it’s not time yet for your surprise.”
Her mouth turned down into a cute pout, though he doubted it was intentional or that she even realized she was pouting. Then she frowned and glanced downward at her dress in disgust.
“I probably should have eaten before changing. I’ll probably make a mess of my dress and I’ll have to do my makeup all over again.”
“No, you won’t,” Drake said calmly. “Because every bite you eat will come from my hand.”
She turned, her eyes widening in surprise.
“Yes, my angel. You’re going to sit right here in my lap while I feed you and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it, and if there is any mess on your mouth, I’ll be more than happy to clean it up for you.”
Her look was puzzled. “Why would you want to feed me? Isn’t that something I should do for you as your submissive?”
It was the first time she’d overtly acknowledged and said aloud what she was, and it pleased him that it came naturally with no thought or hesitation.
He gave her a squeeze, letting her know he was pleased with her question and the acceptance in her voice.
“I too have responsibilities as your dominant,” he said. “Yes, you obey me, answer only to me, but it is also my job to take care of you and see to your every need. The act of feeding my woman is very intimate and it’s something I enjoy; therefore you are pleasing me.”
“Oh,” she said softly, a thoughtful look creasing her brow as she processed his explanation.
A knock sounded, heralding the arrival of the food Drake had ordered to be sent up. Evangeline tensed, but he kept his arm around her so she didn’t bolt from his lap, and he gave her a warning squeeze that had her immediately relaxing against him once more.
“Come,” Drake said.
The door opened and one of the kitchen staff pushed a cart from the elevator and hurriedly began carrying over the plates to Drake’s desk, arranging the entrées and utensils, and poured wine for both Drake and Evangeline. Mere seconds later, he and Evangeline were alone once again.
He tightened his hold on her, pulling her closer to him so she rested against his chest and so he could reach around her to still be able to use the arm holding her as he cut the succulent steak into bite-size pieces.
Then he speared a piece and gently held it to her lips, waiting for her to open her mouth and accept his offering.
Her tongue ran nervously over her lips, making him almost groan, before she parted them and allowed the fork to slide sensuously into her mouth. She made a small hmming noise as she chewed.
“Good?” he asked.
“Very,” she said in a husky voice.
As he continued feeding her, pausing from time to time to take a bite himself, she relaxed more and more until she was completely molded to his body. He could feel the motions of her chewing and swallowing, how her body moved against his, and he was seized by contentment that had eluded him for far too long.
He noticed that every time he ate a bite and then forked a bite into her mouth, she took her time, holding on to the fork and allowing it to slide over her tongue as if she were absorbing every part of his tongue that had just touched what was now in her mouth. It was completely innocent. He doubted she was cognizant of what she was doing, but it was arousing as hell and his erection was no doubt making a permanent imprint on her ass.
Discomfort be damned. He wasn’t moving even an inch to alleviate the ache in his groin because he liked her exactly where she was. She was his. She belonged to him. He could have her any time, any way he wanted, and he savored that knowledge. Never had he taken things with a woman this slowly, but Evangeline wasn’t just any woman, and for her, the waiting made things all the sweeter.
But tonight . . . Later, when he took her home. He would show her his dominance and demand her submission. Physically. His angel was tough. Her looks were deceiving, as was her naïveté. She possessed more inner strength than most men he knew, and yet she had the softest, sweetest spirit that captivated others on sight.