Page 45 of Degradation
‘But I?—’
He hushes me. ‘Red.’
‘Pardon?’
‘I think that there needs to be a new rule. If you don’t want me to do something or you want something to stop, that’s what you say, okay?’
He leans back, taking me in as I make the barest incline of my head.
‘Do you need to say it now?’
‘No.’
‘Good.’ He pulls me toward him. ‘My price is you go back to petting me like you were when I was just waking up.’
I laugh in surprise. ‘Did you like it?’
‘Mmmm,’ he rumbles, leaning toward my ear. ‘Do it for a few minutes until I need to get up and I’ll give you some lab homework,’ he whispers.
‘Promise?’
‘Promise.’
‘Deal,’ I murmur.
I let my hand slide over his chest the way that I’ve been wanting to do since I stopped, if I’m honest. He sighs heavily, closing his eyes, he seems to relax into the bed as if he’s really enjoying my fingers moving over his skin.
I touch his chest, learning his muscles, and then move up and down his arms, feeling how thick his forearms are.
‘How much do you work out?’ I ask softly, watching his face.
His lips curl up a little. ‘A couple hours a day, five times a week usually. Sometimes more.’
‘Why?’
He shrugs. ‘I like being strong. I like knowing that I’m bigger than nine out of ten guys I meet. I like the difference between how big and strong I am and how small and puny you are.’
He cracks an eye and looks at me, laughing at my expression.
‘I can’t help being short, but I’m notpuny.Besides, what I lack in physical strength, I make up for in brain power.’
I stick my tongue out at him for good measure. He laughs and my hand moves lower without me meaning it to. I gasp as I touch something hard that bobs beneath my hand beneath what I assume is his underwear.
He startles and lets out a harsh breath as my wide eyes fly to his. I rip my hand away.
‘I’m sorry!’ I squeak. ‘I didn’t mean to?—’
‘It’s okay,’ he says, closing his eyes again and letting out a relaxed breath. ‘It’s not a big deal at all. Like I said, touch me whenever you like.’
‘Eventhere?’ I whisper, and my eyes can’t help but flick down to where my hand was, though the blanket is covering everything.
‘If you want.’ He chuckles. ‘I can tell you’re curious.’
‘Yes,’ I whisper truthfully.
‘You’ve never touched a dick?’ he asks, looking at me.
I shake my head. ‘No. I’ve only really seen one. Blake’s. That night when he...’
