“No. Simone is yours. It wasn’t your fault. I won’t take your freedom ever again, Jessie. If you want to continue riding, that is your decision.”
“I do. I love it. I feel free.”
“Good. Rest. The doctor will be here soon. Can you wiggle your toes?”
“Yes.”
“Good. It’s not broken then. It’s probably just a sprain.”
“I’m sorry about our date. I know you had planned something special.”
“I did. And we aren’t cancelling.”
“But, Christos, I can’t walk.”
“You won’t need to. Not for what I have planned.”
I flush. The sexual tension between us is about to combust. “I’m still in my barn clothes.”
“Plaid flannel looks sexy as fuck on you, too. It makes me want to rip your shirt apart and watch the buttons fly to the floor. I’ve been imagining your breasts underneath. Are they trapped in lace or ivory?”
“Why don’t you come here and find out?” I raise my eyebrow, feeling warmth spread from the center of my body, downwards. I want him. More than I ever have. Injured leg and all. Afterall, he’s the one who taught me pain only heightens pleasure.
His nostrils flare. He stalks towards me like a man on a mission, until the butler announces the doctor is here.
“Later,agápe.You won’t escape me again.”
“I stopped running a year ago.”
He bends down, capturing my lips softly and I moan into his mouth as his hand reaches beneath my shirt.
He’s fast.
He moves my bra to the side and plucks a nipple with his fingers then rolls it. My hips move back and forth restlessly. He pulls back murmuring against my lips, “Soon, my love. Soon, I am taking you to see the stars again.”
I sigh, my heart is beating as fast as a butterfly’s wings. Christos isn’t a perfect man. He never was. But who needs perfect anyway? Maybe he just is and always was—perfect for me.
“Wake up, sleepy. It’s time to get dressed.”
I blink, at the beautiful man standing over me holding a deep blue satin dress. It’s twilight outside. I must’ve slept the rest of the day away.
“Christos?”
“The doctor gave you a sleeping pill to help you rest, remember?”
I yawn, stretching. “Yes.” I reach forward, moving the ice packs from my ankle. “The swelling has gone down.”
“It has. But I’m not going to allow you to walk on it for a few days.”
“What are you going to do? Carry me to class?”
“If I need to.”
I roll my eyes, pushing the blanket back. He hisses. “Jessie… you know what that does to me.”
“Empty threats, “ I tease, trying to stand.
“I told you not to put weight on it.”