By the time I’ve put all the groceries and supplies away, the sound of running water has stopped, and I know she is finished with her shower. The ache in my balls has subsided a little, but having her so close, and yet so far away at the same time, makes the cravings unbearable.
Making my way back into the bedroom, I wonder if she is going to try and fight me on our sleeping arrangements. I’m sure she will. If she’s trying this hard to escape, I can only imagine what she plans to do to get out of sleeping beside me.
Stepping into the room, I find her standing in front of the dresser wrapped in a fluffy white towel. The long strands of her brown hair cascade down her back while beads of water cling to her skin. I want to lick them away. Lick every inch of her body until she’s completely spent and can do nothing but lay there as I take her over and over again.
Biting back a groan, I force the thought away.
“Nightgowns and Pajamas are in the second drawer, I believe,” I say, making her jump a good foot off the floor as she turns around.
“I didn’t hear you walk in,” she whispers, staring at me with a puzzled expression as she white knuckles the towel. I wonder what she’s thinking. Does she think I’m going to attack her? Rip the towel away and ravage her?
After a moment, she turns back around to face the dresser and opens the drawer, causing the thought to evaporate into the air. She pulls out a pair of flannel pajamas, and while holding onto them with a death grip, she disappears back into the bathroom. Her need for privacy is laughable. I want to tell her that there is no need to hide from me, that I’ve seen her naked many times over the years, but I don’t think she’s ready to hear that yet.
I’ve shared enough with her today. We have many weeks to come to discuss all of these things. While she is getting ready in the bathroom, I strip out of my clothes and slip into some sleeping pants. Usually, I sleep naked, but since I’m making a conscious effort to make Dove comfortable, I opt for clothing. She’s not ready to see me naked, yet. A moment later, she reappears in the doorway. I can see her hardened nipples through the sleep shirt she’s wearing and saliva pools in my mouth.
Fuck me. I used to think it was so hard to see her and only be able to watch her, but I was wrong. This is a far more difficult battle. Dropping my gaze, I take in the rest of her body. Clean, dressed, safe.
“The bathroom door doesn’t lock,” she says as if I didn’t know that already.
“I know. None of the doors lock except the main entrance and the gym.” A tense moment of silence blankets us. Pulling the covers back, I ask, “Do you need anything before we go to sleep? A drink of water?”
“I’m not sleeping with you.” She lifts her chin into the air. Her defiance really is a fucking turn on, and if she didn’t matter so much to me, I would snap her in two.
Turning to face her fully, I don’t bother making my voice soft, there is no way she will win this fight. “You will sleep with me in this bed. This is one thing I insist on. I’ve waited too long for you to not sleep in the same bed with you now. So, you can either come to me on your own, or I will drag you to the bed and tie you to it. Choose, but either way, you’re sleeping beside me.”
Slowly she blinks as if she’s not sure she heard me correctly.
“What’s it going to be?” I ask, my patience slipping.
Padding over to the bed, she climbs up onto the mattress, a look of rage on her face. God, she is adorable when she’s mad. She lies down at the edge of the king-sized mattress and pulls the blanket all the way up to her chin.
Her gaze stays trained on me the entire time, like I’m a big bad monster. I can see fear, anger, and curiosity swirling around in the dark depths of her ocean colored eyes. I didn’t bother putting a shirt back on, and just like earlier, she stares at my bare chest when I climb into the bed, taking the spot beside her.
Her cheeks are a hue of pink, but when she realizes she’s been caught, her face turns bright red.
“It’s okay to look. You don’t have to be shy with me.”
“It’s wrong. You’re a monster. You kidnapped me.”
Ignoring her words, I roll onto my side and pat the spot beside me. “Come here. I want to hold you.”