Page 109 of Hushed

He stopped and stared at her. “That doesn’t matter, but if you need it, I’ll tell you about all of them. You’re the only one I’m taking care of from here on out, understood?”

He thought she was jealous. She put a hand on his chest to soothe him, laughter still simmering inside.

“It’s fine. I’m amused. I don’t care about who you were with before me.” He rolled off the bed and pulled her up with him before he continued his gentle clean-up.

“I got the idea from a massage therapist I used to see for an injury in my shoulder. The hot rags help relax muscles. But it also comes in handy for making clean-up a little more relaxing. I like taking care of you.”

Her heart was so full, and a lump in her throat kept her from responding as he finished. When he tossed the rag in the hamper, she motioned to the bed and found her voice again. “If you have extra bedding, I’ll help you change it.”

He shook his head. “Go get in the shower.”

Hesitating was the wrong move, because he took her arm and turned her, so her back was to him then smacked her ass half a dozen times.

“I told you, don’t hesitate in this room, Kenz. Ever.”

How the hell was this turning her on already after what they’d just finished doing?

He nudged her toward the bathroom, and as she turned around to look at him, he was pulling the blanket off the bed. To her surprise, nothing appeared to be wet or messed up beneath it.

He winked at her as he shoved it in the hamper and opened a closet and pulled out another blanket to put on the bed.

“Towel warmers and magic sex blankets? You really do know how to treat a girl, Gage Allard.”

He narrowed his gaze. “I believe I told you to do something.”

Before he could spank her again, she scurried into the bathroom and turned the shower on.

When it was hot enough, she stepped in and groaned. It wasn’t until she was under the spray that she realized just what her body had been through in the last several hours. From the office whipping to the bedroom, they had tested her limits, and she couldn’t be happier.

“You look rather pleased,” Gage said, startling her as he slipped into the shower behind her.

“I am. For as awful and weird as it started out, it’s been a good day. I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I’m happy to have you here with me for it.”

She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head against him as hot water streamed down her back.

A minute later, he nudged her, and she blinked.

“You fell asleep standing up, babe. Let’s get you cleaned up and in bed.”

Gage hurried her through, washing her hair and body, then quickly did the same for himself before turning off the water and wrapping her in a fluffy towel.

In the bedroom, he pulled back the blankets, and she willingly slid under them. The sheets were soft and smooth like expensive butter, and she wondered if she could live in this bed forever. They made laptop desks for beds, didn’t they?

As she drifted off, he kissed her shoulder and brushed hair away from her ear. “I love you, little imp. Thank you for being mine.”

And she was. For as long as he would have her, she was completely and irrevocably his.

Chapter 22

Gage

“I’m sorry for trying to kick your ass yesterday.”

Gage pushed back from his desk as Reggie hovered in the doorway of his home office. It was just after seven, but he’d been awake since five. After watching his girl sleep for an hour, he’d had to force himself out of bed and into his office. It was that, or he was going to wake her up and fuck the hell out of her again. And after everything he’d put her through yesterday, on top of finding out her brother was still alive, she needed a break.

“I’m not mad about it. Did you sleep well?” he asked.

Reggie let out a sarcastic laugh. “Surprisingly well. First time I’ve slept all night since the day I died.”

---