Page 92 of A Murderous Crow
“Oh?” I asked.
“Yeah,” she whispered. “Don’t be mad at him, though, Revenant explained?—”
“Did he now?” I asked mildly.
She told me what was done and what was said, and I nodded slowly. “Not mad at him, baby. I promise. I’m sorry he scared you.”
“It’s okay, he sent Revenant relatively quickly. I was safe, I just didn’t know it. Like at a haunted house, just like you said…”
I chuckled softly and felt more relaxed than I had in a very long time. She was in that vulnerable state, her voice soft and lilting, almost childlike in her fragility. After some rough and tough play like that it was only natural, and aftercare was an important part of the process. So, I made sure she was warm, and I gently combed her hair, and took my time doing it.
She was quiet, and I realized she was very nearly falling asleep. I had intended to wash her hair, but it could wait until morning. What I did do, was gently wash out her scrapes, took stock of the rest of her, a bruise on her hip, some chafing around her delicate wrists, and then took the time to wash her feet really well so I could doctor them up as needed.
She rose from the bath with lightly perfumed skin, as soft and supple as I’d ever felt, thoroughly warmed, and cuddled into my chest as I rubbed her gently through the towel that I’d wrapped around her.
“I don’t know why I’m sotired,” she murmured and I chuckled.
“You had quite the workout, and the adrenaline crash is always a bitch.” I kissed her forehead and led her to bed and told her not to cover up just yet. I switched on the bedside lamp and looked at her feet. They were in surprisingly good shape, just a small cut on one of her little toes. I put a little antibiotic ointment on it and wrapped it in a Band-Aid while she giggled and tried to pull her foot from my hands, complaining that it tickled.
I tucked her in on my side of the bed, closest to the bathroom and whispered that I would be back soon.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“I need to get your things from the club, you left your purse, remember?”
“Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” she pleaded and I smiled and asked, “You don’t want me to leave?”
“No,” she reached out a hand. “I want you to cuddle me.”
“Okay, can I at least grab a shower first?”
She sighed, and said, “Okay, but hurry up.”
I laughed, kissed her, and took myself into the bathroom to shower. I texted the guys while the water warmed and Requiem offered to run the things by and leave them on my kitchen counter. He was headed to the riverfront anyway. I thanked him, and got in, letting the hot water sluice down by back and over my head.
I washed up, warmed up, and went to bed. Savannah drowsing already by the time I crawled in behind her, and pulled her back into the curve of my body.
She was so beautiful, brave, and tolerant. She’d given me exactly what I’d asked for and had been a good sport. Excellent sport in fact. I held her tightly and she turned in my arms, holding onto me.
I loved her. There was no going back on that. I guess when I told myself never again, I really should have never said never…
I snickered at the thought and she held me tighter and I kissed her forehead.
I didn’t know exactly how any of this was supposed to work, but I figured that honestly, one day at a time was the best way forward.
She wastired the next morning, fairly exhausted, but she insisted on toughing it out and going to work.
I asked her if she wanted a quiet night in at my place or hers, and she cocked her head and said hers if I didn’t mind. That she wanted to get used to the new place, finish unpacking. I smiled and suggested ordering in. She liked that idea. I just liked the idea of spending a quiet evening alone with her.
I took the Porche and drove down to the riverfront, got through my day of writing up contracts and reviewing listings, spoke to the odd brother that called to crow about how much fun last night had been, and had a heart to heart after reaching out to Death.
He apologized for scaring Savannah, but he hoped I understood why I did it. I did, and I thanked him, even though it had been wholly unnecessary.
Truth be told, everything feltdifferentwith Savannah. Easy in a way I couldn’t define. I just felt comfortable with her, it was like this extra sensoryknowingthat we were on the same page,and that there wasn’t really anything to fear. She wasn’t going anywhere… which was honestly something that I didn’t deserve.
I knew that, and I felt very fortunate indeed that she was a part of my life.
I think she felt it; this draw or this pull… While I know she was perfectly capable, strong, intelligent enough, and certainly had been doing the damn thing for a year or two now; I also knew she was a sweet and submissive soul who craved guidance and to be told what to do.
