Page 39 of Unraveling with You

“I forgot to say I want to try Shibari,” I mutter.

Remington’s eyes flutter open, only to find me wide-eyed and petrified.

He laughs. “Did you surprise yourself?”

I drop my forehead to his hand with a groan. “Y-yes.”

That sharp, bright laugh morphs into something warm and intimate, pulling me back in. My shoulders soften as I meet Remington’s gentle smile, deciding to lean against the couch with him until our heads are tilted just the same.

Remington slips his hand from mine to steal my palm, opting to massage it for me instead. “What about Shibari makes you curious?”

He gives me a long pause to answer. My breath speeds, but Remington is still waiting. Listening.

I grow even quieter. “You said we’d have to also talk about traumas, right?”

Remington’s sharp stare grows serious. But he’s soft with me, reaching across the small gap between us to stroke down my arm. “Yes, when you’re comfortable. And I’d be there to hear about what you’ve experienced, even if we don’t move forward with this.”

“I really want to listen about what you've experienced too.”

Remington stares at our hands for a long time, smoothing his body heat over the back of my hand with tender strokes of his fingers.

I’m recognizing his pattern; every time I acknowledge keeping him safe in return, he grows far too quiet for his playful self.

When we finally meet gazes again, his irises peer back with a powerlessness I haven’t seen in him yet.

“My sweet, sweet girl,” he purrs.

My heart rate leaps out of control. I think I just made Remington feel safe despite whatever is whirring around in his head - and he called mehisgirl. When my lips part in desire, Remington’s eyes zip right to my mouth.

His stare morphs into a sultry warmth, just like his voice. “Come here.”

Nerves tingle down my limbs, but I scoot closer. “Where?”

Remington opens his arms, and I clamber into his lap. He doesn’t seem to mind my awkwardness; he releases a delighted sigh, swirling excitement through my ribcage. As his arms wrap around me, I buzz all over, unable to fathom how close I feel to him already. It’s not just everything we’ve experienced together in this short time - it’s how his low voice grows so delicate when I’m beside him. It’s his doting gaze, swelling my heart with affection. I already feel close to him, and the feeling expands into deeper intimacy by the second.

With his arms wrapped around me, Remington nuzzles into my hair. “I’ll tell you more about my past experiences too, but I want to make sure you have your chance to finish. Do you feel comfortable sharing more about what you were saying first?”

I swallow hard. “W-well, I– I know a lot of people get claustrophobic in small spaces, and it feels natural for them to hate it, but I’ve wanted to try Shibari for a while because I— I like feeling trapped in small, hidden spaces. A-and there’s a reason, um—”

My voice shrinks until I cut myself off. But Remington hums, rubbing my arms.

“Good job, baby. I’m right here,” he whispers.

Relishing in his tender patience, I huddle in closer. Remington alters our snuggle pile until I’m curled in his lap with my knees to my chest. It feels so reassuring that my secret spills out.

“If I’m squished into a small space, it feels like a big, safe hug, but a deeper one. Like a hug for my heart,” I whisper. “I like it because it feels like no one can reach me to hurt me.”

Remington huffs out a pained breath before squeezing me in the most tender, tightest hug. As his compression grows strong enough to make my lungs fight to flex, I sigh in delight.

“Good,” Remington breathes. “You’re so brave for sharing this with me. Thank you so much.”

Hot tears prick my eyes, but I’m smiling.

My eyelids flutter shut. “It feels so nice. You’re giving my heart a big hug right now too.”

“Good. I was trying to. I’ve got you.” Remington strokes my side, softening into a whisper. “Can I ask you something difficult about this, baby girl?”

“Okay,” I whisper.

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