“But I’ll jostle you. You’re still healing.”
He didn’t answer. She looked over her shoulder at him.
He was frowning and rubbing his collarbone.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Not anymore.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m…fully healed.”
Back at the car, before they came into the garage, she was certain he still had multiple injuries. She hadn’t inadvertently healed them all, had she? Was he trying to convince her he was feeling better and could manage a whole night of sex? “That’s impossible. I didn’t heal you.”
He splayed his palms out in front of him. “See for yourself.”
Water sloshed over the edge of the tub and she turned, placed her hands on his chest and concentrated. Her Talent detected no broken bones, no cuts or bruises, no sprains or torn cartilage.
“I don’t understand. How could that have happened?”
“You had to have done it, Olivia. Against my wishes.”
She couldn’t tell if he was really angry or if he was teasing. There was nothing in his expression either way.
“I swear, I didn’t do it on purpose. I knew you didn’t want me to heal you and I honored your wishes. When you kissed me, I remember thinking how easily my energy was moving into you, but then I lost my train of thought after that.” She also recalled how quickly she’d healed him back in the city with hardly any effort. While focused on his pleasure, she could very well have let her guard down. But why wasn’t she feeling more tired?
He smiled, but it was a devilish smirk. He reached for a bar of soap, turned her around and began to lather her back and arms. “Do you know what happens when someone defies my orders?”
She licked her lips and swallowed hard. “What?”
“They get punished.”
Images of Asher paddling her bare butt with a leather riding crop flashed in her head. Even though her sexual experiences had never gone in that direction before, she was more than a little intrigued. “Punished? What do you mean?”
“I’m not talking about a simple spanking,” he said as if reading her thoughts. She was glad he was behind her and couldn’t see her face. It had to be beet red right now. “Although that can be arranged. What you did was very serious. I told you specifically not to do something and you defied me. When I give orders, I expect that they’ll be followed.”
“Okay.” Her heart quickened. “Then what is a fitting punishment?”
“Hmmm.” His sudsy hands slipped along her belly and breasts, and she became acutely aware of the hard length of his shaft at her back. “I was thinking more along the lines of teaching you by example. That really is the best way to learn.”
She chewed on her lip, trying to control her growing excitement. “Which means…”
“Lean back,” he ordered. “I’m going to wash your hair.”
She did as she was told, laying her head back against his stomach. He adjusted his position so that her ears were just above the level of the water. Squirting some shampoo into the palm of his hand, he began to wash her hair. She closed her eyes, concentrating on his fingers massaging her scalp and sudsing each strand. A girl could get used to such pampering.#p#分页标题#e#
What sort of punishment was he dreaming up? If it involves more of this, then sign me up.
Soon he was helping her from the tub. When they were both wrapped in towels, he put his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. The glint in his eyes was pure wickedness. Her breath caught in her throat.
“I’ve decided on your punishment, Olivia.” He’d gone all formal on her again.
“You have?”
He brushed a thumb over her lower lip, leaving a trail of sparks. “For the next week, you’re going to be staying here with me.”
Her gaze snapped up to his. “What? Here? With you?” He stared at her with that ruggedly handsome face, gauging her reaction. She had heard him correctly. “I can’t stay for that long.”
“I don’t see why not,” he said matter-of-factly. “The HOT isn’t expected to reopen for days, your car is still trapped in the garage, and you don’t have a job anymore.”
Yes, all that was true. But still. She’d just met him. He couldn’t really be serious about her staying the week with him, could he? She needed to hide out for a while, wait until things calmed down…but with him? “What if I have other plans?”
“Cancel them.”
His arrogance should’ve pissed her off. Instead, she was secretly thrilled. “Why would I want to do that?” she asked, feigning indifference.