Page 32 of Savage Games

Naomi whimpers and brings her hands to her face.“It’s not fair.You’re just…”

I hold my breath, bracing for the blow that never comes.

Instead, she offers what should be a compliment but feels like a bad thing.“...so perfect.”

Now I’m completely confused.

“I’m not perfect, Naomi, but I am yours.”

With gentle fingers, I turn her face to the side so I can see her expression.I search her eyes, finding pain, frustration, and something that looks dangerously like fear.My protective instincts roar to life.Someone's hurting her, hurting what's mine.I want to demand answers, to hunt down whoever's responsible, but I force those instincts down.Right now, she needs tenderness, not aggression.

Dipping my head, I press the barest of kisses to her neck, then another, inhaling her scent deep into my lungs.

When she doesn’t tell me to stop, but leans back into me, the scent of her arousal deepens.

I wrap my hand around her throat and tilt her head back.Her stunning eyes meet mine.“Let me act like your man and show you how happy we’d be, even if you’re not sure yet.”

A pained look crosses her face as she screws her eyes shut.“That’s not it.”When she opens them again, they’re brimming with emotions, and I’m floored by the sadness that’s slamming into me through the bond.

What the hell is going on?

Reaching past her, I grab the shampoo bottle from the tiny shelf.

Naomi watches me with curiosity as I remove my hand from her throat and pour some of the liquid into my palm.Her brows wrinkle as I rub my hands together, lathering up the shampoo, and then press my fingers deep into her hair, massaging her scalp and gathering up the long strands.

The scent of lavender and mint rises around us as I work the shampoo through her hair.My fingers press and circle, finding the tension points at her temples, the base of her skull, the tight muscles where neck meets shoulder.

I've never washed anyone's hair before, but instinct guides me, the need to care for my mate overriding any awkwardness.

She moans as I continue to lavish attention on her, easing out the tension she’s carrying while carefully ensuring her hair is thoroughly washed, before encouraging her forward with a gentle nudge so I can rinse the suds out.

The hot water bathes the two of us as I make sure all the bubbles are gone.

“You’re getting wet,” she mumbles, sounding drowsy and content.Her pupils are blown wide, and her cheeks are rosy.The scent of her desire lingers, making it hard to ignore when we’re this close.

“So are you,” I murmur, and she laughs, one hand reaching back to rest on my thigh.

I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her tight to me so I can kiss her neck again, teasing the shell of her ear and letting her feel just how much I want her.

I fight back the urge to take this encounter further, but I’m not trying to seduce Naomi right now.I’m trying to bond, to show her I’ll take care of her in every way.If that means not pushing this right now, I’ll do that too, while still showing up for her in every way I can.

“I’m yours, Naomi.We can take this slow.Let me prove myself.Just don’t run away from me.”

Once the water flowing down her toned back is clear, I get the conditioner and rub it into the ends before combing it through carefully.

“You’re good at that.Most men would have yanked half of my hair out by now.”Naomi stiffens as the words pass her lips.“Not that any other men are brushing my hair.But I understand that you might have done this for other women… I don't want to know about it, but I guess that’s just reality…” She snaps her mouth shut when her wolf growls loudly, hating the turn this conversation has taken.But I know it’s just her nerves talking.

“Have you seen Jamie’s hair?Granted, I never helped her while she was in the shower, but I’m man enough to admit I brushed it a time or two when we had nobody else helping us.Sleeping as your wolf with no access to hair products can wreak havoc on hair.Or so I’m told.”

Naomi’s tension melts away as I let my fingertips dig into her scalp and bring them down along her neck before massaging her tight shoulders.

“I’m sorry.I’m such a shit… How do I have the nerve to be jealous when I’m being awful to you?”

Her guilt slams into me through the bond, a tidal wave of emotion that nearly knocks me back.There's something deeper here than simple uncertainty about our connection.Something that's tearing her apart.

I can feel Naomi getting upset again, so I pull her against me, not caring that I’m soaked through.“You’re not being awful to me.We’re new.This is new.We’re just finding our way.”

Turning her around, I resist the powerful desire to look down along her body, and instead, focus on her wide eyes that are swimming with tears as I lean down and kiss her gently on the forehead.“We’ve got time.Unless me being a rogue is a deal-breaker for you.”

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