Labor of Love

“We probably shouldn’t have done that,” I admit. Guilt should be hitting me harder, but as time wears on and I’m with her more, it’s actually starting to slip away as she begins to feel more like mine.

“Really? Because I kinda want to do it again.” She gives me a half smile, and I moan, knowing if she pushes I will break and give her anything she asks for. She could ask me to hand over everything I have and I would.

“I want to do it again, but I should be taking care of you.”

“Pretty sure you just did.” Her tone is playful, and I watch her try to fight a laugh as her eyes dance with mischief. She’s giving me even more of who she is and I eat it up greedily.

I stand with her in my arms. She wraps her legs tightly around me the best she can. I’m going to take care of her. “How about a bath?” I suggest. I want to stay with her, but I need a moment to find out what the fuck is going on with her grandfather and what he said. For that I need to be alone.

“That does sound wonderful.” She loosens her legs, but I tighten my grip on her ass.

“I’ll take you up,” I tell her as I head out of my office and up the stairs.

“This place is really big,” she says, looking around as I carry her.

“Yes, but I mainly stick to the east wing. My parents use the west when they are in town.”

“Do they come home often?” she asks as we enter our bedroom.

“They retired when I came home. My dad was a bit of a workaholic, and now Mom is dragging him on every vacation she can think of to make up for lost time.” I sit her down on the bathroom counter. Reluctantly, I let her go to start a bath.

“It looks like there’s room for two.” I freeze, turning around to look at her. Every muscle in my body goes tight. I want to get on my knees and thank whoever sent me this angel, but God have some fucking mercy. A man can only hold back so much before he cracks.

Chapter Six

Lucy

I can’t believe I just said that. Maybe it’s a personality quirk I don’t know I have where I blurt out whatever is in my head. I bite my lip as he slowly turns to look at me. I can tell he likes my suggestion but is fighting himself. I’ve noticed this about him. He’s timid around me, like I could spook at any moment. Maybe it’s because he thinks I’m still hurt. I do feel achy all over, but when I was in his lap all I felt was pleasure.

It was wonderful. I’d forgotten about everything else that was going on. I forgot about how my body still hurt some and got lost in him. It was perfect, and I want more of that. I pull off my socks, then I slide from the counter and my feet hit the cold marble floor. I reach for the shirt, pull it up over my head and toss it away next. My eyes stay on Orlando because I want to see his reaction. His eyes travel down my body, lingering on my breasts for a moment, then farther down.

When his eyes reach my panties, I hook my fingers into them, slide them down my legs and toss them away.

“Fuck,” he mutters. My nipples tighten as I make my way towards him. He doesn’t move. When I’m a few feet from him, he reaches out, his fingers trailing along my ribs. “Does it hurt?” he asks, and I can tell he’s trying to distract himself and remind himself that I’m hurt. I glance down and see the purple and yellow mark.

“Only a little,” I admit.

“The bath might help.” His dark eyes stay on the bruise. Then he drops to his knees in front of me, getting a better look at me. I suck in a deep breath when he kisses me there. Not once but three times, ever so gently.

“Will you be joining me?” He looks up at me with a pained look.

“I shouldn’t. You should relax.” I can tell the words are forced. Something blossoms in my chest seeing this man on his knees in front of me, fighting for some kind of control. I reach up and run my fingers across his short hair. His eyes fall closed, enjoying my touch as much as I enjoy touching him. “I don’t want to rush anything. You need time.”

My hand stops. I don’t want time. He’s my husband. The one person I trust in the whole world right now. I look down at my hand. “Where is my wedding ring?” I ask him. What if I lost it in the accident or something.