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He tightened his arms around her. “I’m here for you.” And he was. Kaley was his. Well, maybe it was too early to think that, but his heart disagreed.

Chapter Thirteen

Kaley struggled to wake up. Wait a second? Eyes popping open, she saw Anthony’s arm and not the blanket she’d been expecting. And the events of last night came rushing back.

Ward grabbing her, the scene she and Anthony had, him holding her, and her agreeing to spend the night with him. Tears stung her eyes, and she forced herself to breathe. There was nothing wrong with what they’d done, so why did she feel all weepy? She wasn’t one who cried at a drop of a hat.

“Sweetheart?” His soft voice had her breath catching.

“I…” Oh hell, tears started falling, and she had no idea why.

“Easy.” Anthony gathered her into his arms. “You’re okay. You’re experiencing subdrop, one of the possible aftereffects of achieving subspace.”

“What?” She could barely get the word out.

“Remember I told you about this last night.”

She nodded. They had talked about it, but… She hated crying.

“Some women cry afterward; others have no aftereffects or feel a little off or depressed. I’ve heard its normal.”

“You’ve never been around subdrop before?” She sniffled.

“I haven’t.” Anthony leaned over and grabbed something off the nightstand. When he faced her, he dropped a small box of tissues in her lap.

“Thank you.” She took several, wiped her tears, and blew her nose. “I’m not a crier.”

“It doesn’t matter to me if you are or not. Just lay here and let yourself be. This will pass.” He tightened his arms around her and urged her head to his shoulder.

“It better pass fast,” she grumbled, but she was already feeling better snuggled up against Anthony’s warm body with his arms around her. Safe. She remembered him carrying her from the club to his vehicle, then from the vehicle into his home and putting her to bed. And that was about it. Oh crap. She stiffened.

“What is worrying you?”

“How did you know I was worried? Never mind, Doms can read minds.”

He chuckled. “Not really.”

“Did you undress me?”

“I only removed your sports bra; you still have your thong on.” He cupped her chin and tilted her head until their gazes met. “I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable.”

She swallowed, afraid to move. “And you?” A blush crept from her chest into her cheeks.

“I have underwear on.” He grinned at her. “Although I can take them off if you’d like.”

Kaley shook her head. “As much as I’d like that, today isn’t the day for it.” They’d hadn’t gone much beyond light touching and kissing, no real intimacy. She rolled her eyes.

“I saw that eye roll; what does that mean?”

“Nothing.” She lowered her gaze. “I need to get up.” She wiggled against his hold. “Mother nature is calling.”

Anthony released her, but instead of lounging in bed as she expected, he got up and crossed over to her when she sat up. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on this man, but she already knew that. Seeing him in a pair of black boxers and, wham, her heart pounded, and her mouth watered. Maybe she was more ready to be intimate than she thought. “Don’t move too fast,” he said as she stood.

“I’m okay.” Her tears had disappeared, but her knees were a little wobbly. “Bathroom.”

“Over there.” He pointed to the slightly open door across the room.

Carefully, Kaley put one leg in front of the other. Her knees held. She pushed open the bathroom door and then shut it behind her. Once she’d used the facilities, she stepped up to the sink. Lord, her hair was a mess, and her make up smeared.

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