Page 54 of Renascence
That very traitorous body part jumps. I shift in my seat, crossing my legs. Maybe I should put some real thought into that list.
“What about my list?” I ask, hating how timid my voice sounds.
“Is it ready?”
“I haven’t written it down.”
“You don’t need to. I don’t want you to give me the entire thing. We’ll work through it one at a time. It’s up to you how fast or slow we move.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Back at his place, he turns on the TV, a basketball game playing as we climb into his huge bed. Surprisingly, he extends his arm, letting me lay my head on his chest. This doesn’t seem like anything that would be covered in our agreement, but I’m not complaining. In fact, I wish we could do this every night.
“How do you feel?”
“Fine. Good.”
I know what he’s really asking. I may still be suffering from the effects of last night, but something tells me if he touched me, I’d be more than willing.
“Hungry?”
“No. Why are you always trying to feed me?”
“Why shouldn’t I? I’m the one fucking you now. I need to make sure you’re fed and hydrated.”
“I see.”
“Emily, this is about more than just sex. As long as you’re with me, you can be damn sure you’ll be taken care of. Whatever you need, I got you.”
My throat locks up. After all our years of marriage, I never once heard James utter those words. He was all about what I was bringing to the table.
“I don’t need you to take care of me,” I whisper the lie. This is not about money. What I need is a man who can recognize and appreciate an independent woman, yet still make her feel like a princess. A man who will be her strength when she can’t find hers. A man who recommends coconut oil for a vagina he’s made sore; a man who holds that woman in his arms and makes sure she’s eaten.
“I know, butIneed to. Making sure you’re okay and that you have everything you need is my duty. Even something as small as knowing you’ve eaten. I’m going to spoil you, Emily. Get used to it.”
“I’m fine,” I tell him, fighting the urge to swoon. “Uncle Jeff made steaks because he thought I was sick. I’m quite full.”
“Good. Now come here.”
Without him telling me, I know what he wants. I straddle him, settling my hands on his shoulders. Our eyes meet, electricity crackling between us that sends a shiver down my spine. His palms slide up my thighs to my hips, positioning me the way he wants—sitting directly on his dick. He’s not hard, but I don’t think he’ll stay that way for long.
“You like this, don’t you? Women on top?”
“I likeyouon top of me, Emily.”
My breathing accelerates, words coming out on a whisper. “You do?”
“I get to see you.” His gaze moves down my body and slowly back up before his eyes meet mine again. “All of you. Every. Gorgeous. Inch.”
“Venom….”
“Let me see you, Em.”
Gripping the hem of my shirt, I pull it up and off, not breaking our stare. He reaches up, gently sliding the straps of my bra down my shoulders before unhooking it in the back. I allow him to remove it, watching his eyes drop to my breasts. His tongue darts out, slowly curling over his bottom lip. It disappears, teeth sinking into his lip. He’s looking at me as if he wants to devour me.
And I want to do the same.
“My list,” I blurt out. “I know what’s next.”
