My swallow sticks part way down my throat, and I cough several times.
“I’m not going to hurt her. I care a lot about her.” I’m halfway to falling in love with her, but I’m not going to tell him that, especially not before I’ve told her.
“Good. Then we understand each other. I’ll call you when I get some info.”
“Stay safe, okay?”
I have no idea what he’s doing now, but I’ve ended every conversation this way since he left for basic training.
“Safety is my middle name.” His standard reply brings a smile to my lips.
I hang up and step back across the hall to Michaela’s bedroom. She was sleeping when I left to change clothes and call Sawyer, but when I step through the door, her wide blue eyes meet mine.
“You’re awake.” I ease onto the edge of her bed.
I’m not sure how to act, other than to be there for her, however she needs me.
“Sorry I fell asleep.”
“Don’t apologize. You needed it.” I lift my hand to lay it on her leg, but hesitate, my arm hovering above her awkwardly.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, motioning to my arm.
“I…” I don’t want to startle her by touching her.
You’ve touched her plenty since the night that asshole attacked her.
Visions of the tie, of the spanking, of all our other encounters come to mind. They harden my dick but turn my stomach.
“You don’t want to touch me.” Her eyes close, and she turns her head toward the wall.
“No, Michaela, you’re wrong.” I scoot closer, gently applying pressure to her chin with my thumb and forefinger until she’s turned in my direction again. “Open your eyes, baby.”
She does what I ask, and the resignation and shame clear in those blue depths have me ready to kick my own ass. Sawyer won’t be necessary.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. Inside and out. I just wish you would have told me about what happened. I’d have been gentler with you, less…demanding.”
“I like how you’ve been with me.” She sits up, her hair tickling my arm when it slides down her neck.
“I—you were attacked.”
“You didn’t attack me, West. I loved everything we’ve done. Everything. I’ve known all along you’re not like Brad. If I didn’t, I would have stopped anything I didn’t like.”
I study her for a long moment, reading the truth in her gaze, relieved that we’re past the lying.
“You’re sure?” I ask, still hesitant. Still afraid to touch her and bring up those memories again.
“Positive. I lo—have feelings for you. More than the crush I had as a teenager—”
“You had a crush on me when you were a teenager?” I smile, lifting my hand to cup her cheek.
She covers my hand with hers. “I totally did. Sawyer didn’t say anything?”
“No. Are you sure he knew?”
“Ugh, yes. He teased me about it constantly.”
“He never said anything to me,” I tell her. “He kept your secret.”