The goal is to make her forget about everything she saw tonight. Even if it’s only for a few moments. I want the pleasure to overtake the pain.
When she’s dancing on the edge, I pull back, not wanting her to spiral out of control. With one last kiss against her lower lips, I rise to my feet. Mia’s head is tipped back, and her eyes are closed.
“You like that?” I press a kiss against her mouth before scooping her up and cradling her against my chest.
“Mmm.” Her eyelids flutter open as she lifts her lips to mine for another kiss.
The moment my mouth settles on hers, our tongues mingle. She purrs before slipping her arms around my neck and tugging me closer.
I’m breathing hard and close to coming in my boxer-briefs when I pull away. “You should enjoy your bath before it gets cold.”
The dazed look filling her eyes is like a punch to my gut.
I lower her into the tub until she’s settled against the sloped porcelain. A sigh of contentment slips free as her body sinks into the steaming water.
“Do you want it hotter?”
“No.” Her eyelids feather closed. “It’s perfect.”
My gaze roams over her naked body.
When we were kids, she was all long limbs, knobby knees, and elbows. It was around seventh grade when Mia’s body changed. Her breasts and hips filled out. Every time I saw that short white tennis skirt against her tanned thighs, I would sport wood. Or I’d catch a glimpse of her in the hallway at school. The way her shirts stretched across the soft curves of her breasts left my mouth watering.
Even thinking about it now makes me groan.
I really need to get out of here and stop staring at her until I can get a better handle on myself. As I head for the door, her eyes crack open.
“Where are you going?” she asks sleepily. She’s in full relaxation mode, and that’s exactly where I want her.
“I’ll be back in a minute. Just enjoy yourself.”
I disappear from the bathroom before she can ask further questions. Once in the hallway, I cross over the catwalk and move down the staircase before heading to the kitchen. I grab a mug from the cabinet and fill it with filtered water from the fridge before setting it in the microwave. While the water is heating, I search the cabinets for tea. As I come across a box of chamomile, the microwave buzzes.
Perfect timing.
I grab the mug and seep the bag in the hot water.
When I return to the bathroom, steam has permeated the air and Mia is lying against the rim of the tub with her eyes closed. I settle next to her with the mug in my hands.
Her dark eyelashes flutter. When she sees me, her lips lift into a satisfied smile.
“I brought you something.”
She sits up and takes the mug from my fingers. “You made me tea?” Surprise dances in her eyes.
I shrug. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
She glances at the drink before releasing a sigh. “You’re making this awfully difficult.”
Not understanding the comment, my brows draw together. All I’m trying to do is make her feel better. Maybe I’m doing a piss-poor job of it. “What do you mean?”
“I’m trying to hold myself back.” Her gaze flicks to mine. “I don’t want to get too excited about this.” There’s a pause before she adds, “About you.”
Not that I blame her for it, but I hate that she feels the need to protect herself from me. It makes me wonder if I’ll ever be able to earn her trust.
“I’m not that guy anymore.” I reach out and trail my fingers along the curve of her jaw. “I’m trying to prove that to you.”
She sinks into my touch. “You’re doing a good job of it.”
“Guess I need to keep it up.” That’s all I can do.
Mia brings the mug to her lips and takes a sip before setting it on the edge of the tub. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I pause before adding, “Whatever you need from me, all you have to do is ask and it’s yours.”
Her body sinks beneath the surface of the water. When she’s fully submerged, she widens her legs until she’s completely exposed. My gaze drops to her spread thighs before skimming up her body to settle on her face.
“Tell me what you need, Mia.” My voice turns rough with pent-up arousal.
She remains silent as I trail my fingers through the water. Carefully, I circle one breast until the nipple tightens before doing the same to the other. A sigh of pleasure escapes from her lips.
“Is this what you wanted?”
She shakes her head.
My fingers drift lower, swirling around the indentation of her belly button before moving downward and feathering over her lower lips. She widens her legs as I circle my thumb around her clit. Her body grows restless beneath my touch.