Page 79 of Love Me Carefully
“Whoa, where do you think you’re going?” he asked, quickly coming to her side.
“I’m hungry. Somebody was supposed to take me to dinner, and here it is after nine o’clock and I still haven’t eaten.”
Terrell grinned. She was talking about food. That meant she was feeling better. “I’m going to feed you, woman, just relax. I’ve got something else for you first.”
“What—” She was about to ask him what could be more important than food at this moment but he scooped her up and started in the direction of the bathroom.
His whirlpool tub was brimming with bubbles and when she inhaled, she smiled. “Since when did you start buying vanilla bubble bath?”
Terrell stood her up, keeping her tightly in his embrace, and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Since I smelled it on a beautiful woman.”
Leah lowered her head to hide her blush, but his finger to her chin had her again looking into his intense gaze. “I am going to get to the bottom of this, Leah. I don’t want you worrying about it. Do you understand?”
“Terrell, I can take care of myself.”
He’d known she’d argue. “Mmm hmm, I know you can take care of yourself, baby. But it’s my job to protect you. Can’t you just let me do that? Please?”
She could’ve told him she’d mastered Taekwondo and had managed to fight off three very big, very obtrusive brothers in her lifetime, but thought it best she keep quiet. Men liked to feel superior. Besides, she was sort of enjoying the way he wanted to protect her. “Okay. But I’m not changing my lifestyle for this jerk. I’m going to keep on with my same routine and…”
Terrell silenced her with another kiss. “You’re going to do exactly as I tell you until this is over.” His hands were on the buttons of her blouse, then on her bare shoulders as he slid the material down and off her arms.
“Terrell?”
“Shhh. We’re not talking about this anymore tonight.” He was unbuttoning her pants, pushing them, and her underwear, down her long legs. Her shoes had been discarded in the living room so that she now only wore her bra and with one deft movement he’d unhooked that and watched as it joined the rest of her clothes on his bathroom floor. “You’re going to enjoy this nice bath that I’ve prepared for you.” He scooped her up again and then gently lowered her into the tub.
“I’m going to fix you dinner while you relax.” He handed her a sponge. “Then we’re going to eat and go to bed.”
“But—”
Terrell held a finger to her lips, scooped a handful of bubbles into his other hand and smeared them on her nose. “No, buts. Do as I say.” He moved away from the tub when a dangerously sexy gleam came into her eyes. As much as he’d like to share a bath with her, he still had a few phone calls to make.
“You have to go to sleep,” she said to his retreating back, thoughts of seeking her revenge for the highhanded way he was handling her going through her mind.
He disregarded her threat. “Yes, and you’ll sleep silently beside me.” He tossed her a grin. “Oh and both Nikki and your mother called your cell phone while you were sleeping on the couch. I gave them a quick rundown and told them you’d be staying with me until we got things sorted out.” Before she had a chance to speak Terrell made his escape.
Leah growled and threw the sponge he’d given her at the closing door. She wasn’t about to stay with him until this was over. She had her own apartment and her own business and she planned on visiting both of them first thing tomorrow morning. She loved Terrell, but he wasn’t about to start controlling her life.
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