No, not a movie. A dream. Movies felt like someone else’s life. Dreams felt too good to be true.
Strong arms cleaned me so gently it was like he thought I was made of glass, a huge contrast to the man who bruised my hips with his fingertips while fucking me into oblivion. It made me feel special, it made me feel loved.
He tried to deny me when I reached out to return the favor, but he must have seen how much it meant to me too, and for the first time in my life I cleaned someone else’s body. It was so intimate, making me feel even closer to him than I ever thought possible and when we were finished I didn’t want to leave that shower. I didn’t want this closeness to fade for even a moment, but one look in his eyes told me that wouldn’t be the case whether we got out or not. Sterling had no intention of leaving my side.
~
I AWOKE ON FRESH SHEETSsore as all hell. Sterling was still at my side, just like he had been all night and I sat up slightly to watch him sleep. He really was beautiful, especially when he was that relaxed and peaceful. While awake he wore his stress right between his perfect brows, but while sleeping, there wasn’t a crease in sight. He was breathtaking, and for the first time I was allowed to gawk at him all I wanted. Slowly I slipped the sheet down further so I could ghost my lips along his stern chest, but I should have known better. My movements woke him, and I sat up once more just in time to watch his eyes flutter open. To my surprise, he didn’t frown. He didn’t look at me like I was weird for watching him sleep, he looked at me like I was the best thing he’d ever woken up to, and in that moment I believed it.
He loved me too, even if he hadn’t said those words yet. “Morning, handsome. Did you really Han Solo me last night?”
I chuckled lightly, especially when all he did was nod sleepily. “Yes. Yes, I did.”
I kissed his lips softly and laid my head back on his pillow. “Thank you for last night. You were so attentive.”
“I need that part as much as you do. I suppose you’re not the only caretaker around here.”
“That’s good to know.” I reached up to run my fingers along his chest. “You’re better than I ever imagined you could be. I mean I knew you’d fuck good. That energy radiates off of you but you’re also ... so much more.”
He smiled softly. “I’d warn you not to tell anyone, but no one would believe you, anyway.”
“They wouldn’t. Ollie would have me committed, my best friend would think I’m exaggerating, Kapri ... shit, I should go see her actually. She probably thinks I moved away by now or something. Either way, she definitely wouldn’t believe me.”
“Kapri?” he asked, suddenly sounding more awake. “The bartender Kapri?”
I nodded. “Yeah, she was my first friend here. I’m not a very good one apparently, I never got her number or tried to see her since I started here. To be fair though, I haven’t really had an opportunity to go to a bar.”
“You had an opportunity to go on a date with Caffrey Brannigan,” he muttered, then sighed and sat up. “We need food. I’m definitely crabby because I need food and not because I just reminded myself you went on a date with that asshat.”
I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Is that jealousy?” I teased, spreading my legs a little for him to see. “Does it help to know he never saw me like this?”
“Yes.” Sterling flipped onto his stomach and settled between my thighs, then pinned me down. “This is mine.”
Butterflies swarmed my entire body at the possession. “Yes, Sir,” I whispered instantly. As playful as I felt, I could never pretend he didn’t own all of me, especially like this. “For as long as you’ll have me.”
“Good girl. Speaking of friends you’ve forgotten, though ... you should have Kylie come visit. I’d like to meet her,” he whispered, blowing hot air on my clit and making me twitch. “You should have friends.”
“Okay,” I rushed out, rutting up against his face with my bottom lip between my teeth. “C’mon. Just a lick, big guy.”
He bit me instead, which I should’ve seen coming. “Now you get to wait until after breakfast.”
I pouted, grinding my hips in a way that tortured both of us equally. “I thought I was breakfast.”
“You were going to be, but I’m in the mood for something sweet, not sour,” he deadpanned, but sucked my clit into his mouth anyway and pulled back the second I moaned. “Guess it’s just your attitude that’s sour.”
I knew this was a game I’d lose, even if it felt like I was also winning. “Not sour, Sir. I’ll be your sweet girl.”
Not even grumpy Sterling could hide his smile. “I know.”
I know.
It was amazing what those two words did for me. They healed something that three words once broke, something I didn’t know would ever mend.
“Come on, Silver. Real food it is.”