"I fed you. Are you going to feed me now?" I tease, turning in his arms to cuddle against him. I bury my face in his neck, and something about it is comforting. Safe. Nothing can touch me when he's wrapped around me. I wish I could stay here forever.
"Have I ever let you go hungry?" he asks, rubbing my back rhythmically.
I don't think I want to get up for food right now. It's the weekend, and we don't have anywhere we have to be. I throw my leg over his body, crawling on top of his big frame so I'm straddling him. My face is still in his neck. He wraps both his arms around me, holding me close. God, he feels so good against me. I was stupid for ever fighting this, for missing out on even one moment of what we've shared.
"You're not going anywhere. I changed my mind," I tell him, burrowing further into him. I want to soak all of him up. His smell, his warmth, anything I can get.
"Do you know how long I've wanted this?" he says lazily, making my heart do a little flutter.
I sit up, wanting to look down at him. The morning light spreads across the bed, and he looks me over. I'm not shy about my nudity and let him look his fill. I rest my hands on his chest, running my fingers through his short chest hair.
"You've really wanted me all this time?" We talked about it the other day. I'd even made a joke about him being a bit of a stalker, like Miles was with Mallory. That all these years when we both worked for Miles, he'd wanted me, too. I loved the thought of it.
"From the very start," he confirms.
I bite my lip, wanting to ask more. I suddenly feel extra territorial.
"What is it, kitten?" he pushes, knowing I have something I want to say. It's crazy how well he reads me. Maybe even a little scary. No, not anymore. I'm not hiding from him. I'll give him all my secrets. I know they are safe with him. I can feel it.
"Last night was my … " I try to say it, but my cheeks warm.
A grin spreads on his lips. "I know. Why do you think I haven't taken you again? I know you're sore." He runs his hands up my thigh. We haven't had sex again since last night, but we've done other things. Well, he did things to me. Explored every inch of my body with his mouth and hands, over and over again. Like he thought he might have missed a spot. It felt like he was marking me. "Even if you try to tempt me by sitting naked on top of me." He rubs small circles on my thighs with his thumb, making goose bumps break out on my skin.
"I guess what I'm asking is … " I look around the room, feeling a little unsure of myself. I'm insecure because this man looks like a Greek god below me, and he's between my thighs. He's the definition of perfection. I don't know where to begin with a man like him in my bed. I let him take the lead, and I gave up all control.
"Eyes on me."
I snap my eyes back to him. "Have you been with anyone recently?" I finally spit the words out. I hate the idea that he wanted me, but might have still been with someone else while he waited. The thought of him with someone else makes me sick, but even more so as I think about how he felt about me. The idea of him harboring those feelings, but still being with someone else, nauseates me.
The moment the words are out of my mouth, I want to snatch them back. I realize that I don't want to know the answer. I start to dig my fingers into his chest, but Captain moves. He sits up, coming face-to-face with me.
"It was me who came up with the idea that you wouldn't be allowed to date when you were watching over Mallory in college. I told Miles it might distract you, but really, I knew it was the only thing that would keep me from coming for you."
My mouth falls open at his confession. I never really wanted to date. I'd always had a little crush on Captain. He'd been the only man to spark my interest, after watching how my father treated my mother for years. I wanted nothing to do with men before Captain came along. Going to a college full of privileged males didn't help, either. Rich men thought they could do anything and get away with anything. I think that's part of why I'd always had a crush on Captain―because he seemed so good. Like a man who would cut off his own arm before he'd ever hurt a woman. He's a protector, and I crave that, deep down.
I didn't want to date anyone, but it didn't mean he had any right to stop me. Especially if he was dating. The thought makes my blood boil. I dig my fingers into his chest more, wanting him to feel the bite of my nails.
"Retract the claws, kitten." I feel his hard cock jerk under me, and I narrow my eyes at him.
"It's been a long time." Still, I keep glaring at him, giving him the look that normally sends people running. But not him.
He smiles the stupid, perfect smile that melts me, the one he gives me when he thinks I'm being cute. "For years, there's only been one woman in my bed, shower, at my desk, maybe a few times in my kitchen."