“Does that mean you enjoyed it?”
“Nothing has ever felt better. Umm, are you gonna untie my hands?”
He didn’t respond immediately and looked to be contemplating his decision.
“Not yet. Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Can I make love to you?”
“Can you . . . Elias?—”
“Hear and believe me when I say this. I’m in love with you, and I want your permission to make love to you.”
“Yes. Please make love to me.”
Finally, he untied my wrists. I was excited to wrap my arms around him and rub my hands up and down his smooth, firm, muscular back. As he devoured my lips, I opened my legs wider,giving him full access to me. I was dripping wet, and he slipped inside me with ease.
At this point in our relationship, he’d fucked me fast, slow, hard, and soft, but none of that felt like the strokes he delivered right now. There was something intentional behind each one. Every time he pressed deep inside of me, it did something to my heart and soul.
“You gon’ let me love you, baby?”
“Yes.”
“You gon’ put down your guard and let me love you like you need to be loved?”
“Yes, baby.”
He must have been satisfied with my answers because our lovemaking became more intense than our fucking ever was. As he shifted my insides with his deep strokes, something shifted between us. I wasn’t sure what it was, but it felt better than all the good things I could imagine.
My eyes popped open as I pressed my hand against my stomach. The last thing I remembered was Elias and I taking a shower, changing the sheets, setting his alarm for six in the morning, and passing out. When I fell asleep, I wasn’t in pain, but now, my stomach was cramping.
“Great. My cycle started,” I whispered.
I hadn’t had a normal cycle since I had my new IUD inserted, but I guess this was it. I slowly eased out of bed, and when I tried to stand, I fell to the floor in pain.
“Ahh!” I screamed, causing Elias to sit up.
“Baby!”
“I’m down here. I think something’s wrong.”
I heard the sheets rustling briefly before he appeared at my side.
“Are you hurt?”
“My stomach is cramping. I thought it was my period, but it feels much worse.”
He picked me up bridal style, carried me to the bathroom, and sat me on the toilet. When he turned on the light, I was startled by the sight of blood on my legs.
“What the hell is going on?”
“Tell me what you need me to do.”
“I need—ahh, shit.” I bent over as far as I could in an effort to ease the pain. “Eli, it hurts so bad. I don’t think this is my period.”
“Okay, baby. Let me clean you up, and I’ll take you to the emergency room.”