Chapter Eight
She pressed her hands to her face. Oh, Lord. She wanted the floor to open so she could hide.
“I’m sorry you’re embarrassed,” he said.
“I’m sorry I’m here.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
His eyebrows rose. “Really?”
She knew she wasn’t saying it the right way, but she was too flustered to articulate. “Yes, this is your home. You should have the ability to come when you want without a student of yours messing it up.”
“What if I want you?”
Dammit. Just tilting his head made her mouth water and her fingers itch to touch him.
“Do you believe me, Pet?” he asked.
“Oh, I … I’m not sure,” she stuttered.
“Why?”
“Because I’ve seen all the beautiful women here. Younger and in better shape. It would be ridiculous for me to think you’d want me over them.”
“I need you to hear me,” he said as he walked to her and gripped her shoulders with his hands. “I haven’t been this attracted to anyone in my life but you. I’m not saying I haven’t had relationships, but the women always had a few things missing to keep me from going further.”
“You’re saying I have what you want?” She almost snorted. Between her saggy boobs, stretch marks, and cellulite, she was not the type of woman he’d want. “You wouldn’t say that if we’d…if I had been…”
“Been naked?” he supplied.
“Yes.”
“From where I’m standing, everything about you attracts me. It has from the very beginning, and it’s just gotten deeper.”
“Then why now?” she asked. “Why are you telling me this now?”
“I’ve wanted to talk to you privately for the last few days, but something has always come up. I’ve gone to your cabin at night but thought that might be coming on too strong, and the last thing I want is for you to be uncomfortable.”
She didn’t know what to do. Her first instinct was to try to run for it, which was ridiculous. She knew she’d never make it to the door.
“Drop your arms, Pet.”
Oh, damn. She’d been hiding behind her arms.
“Now!”
She dropped her arms and watched his eyes widen when he saw her breasts for the first time.
“Fuck me. How the hell do you ride without hurting yourself?” he asked.
“I wrap an Ace bandage around my chest to hold them tightly against me so they don’t move.”
“I was under the impression you were flat-chested by the way your shirts would press against your chest.”
She didn’t know what to say, so she kept quiet. She watched him walk over to the bed and sit down.
“Come here,” he said and held out a hand.
Eden reluctantly walked to him and then gasped when he gripped her hips and brought her between his legs and against his chest.
She automatically placed her hand on his shoulders. Damn, he looked like he was muscular everywhere. His shoulders were easily twice the size of hers, and standing in front of him while she stood, he was still taller than her. She’d never studied his size against hers. They’d never had the opportunity.
“I want you to tell me that you want my hands on you,” he said.
His hands tightened when she didn’t immediately say it. “Pet…” he said in a warning tone.
“I … I want your hands on me.” She closed her eyes.
Cain sighed. “Open your eyes.”
She looked at him and waited.
“I want my hands on you, too,” he said. “I can see the doubt in your expression, so I’m going to show you. Do you have any objections?”
She bit her lip and shook her head.
“I need the words, Little Sub.”
“N-no. I have no objections,” she whispered.
Once again, he lifted her like she didn’t weigh anything, and it always astounded her. He laid her flat on her back on the mattress and stared down at her.
“I’ve been wanting to kiss you since the very first time we met.” He paused and grinned. “No, it was before we met. I couldn’t take my eyes off of you when you walked into the food barn. When you saw me staring, and you looked over your shoulder like there was someone behind you, it charmed me.”
“Now you’re all mine,” he said. He dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers.
The dark, deep timbre of his tone sent vibrations of desire down her body. When she finally felt his mouth, it was like the world stopped. Every molecule was still as he made her body sing. Her arms came up to circle his neck, wanting him closer.
He raised his head. “Hands up at the headboard and leave them there.”
She sputtered. “But…”
“No, buts, Little Sub. I know you have a lot to learn. All I’m going to tell you now is that you will do what I say without hesitation.”
Eden was confused. “Why?”
“Because it will please me,” he said. “You want that, yes?”
She nodded.
“Do you know what I’m going to do in return?”
She nodded again.
He smiled. “I’m going to pamper you. I will protect you and make sure you’re always safe and happy. My main focus in life will be you.”
Her brows pinched together. “But I don’t want to take you away from what you need to do.”
“I’ll manage. I’ve got thirty men working for me. They can handle anything I throw at them.”
He swept the hair from her face. “Now, put your arms up and leave them there.”
She did it instantly, and the look of pleasure in his eyes made her feel like she’d won a prize. Her smile was shaky when he studied her.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.”
She started to shake her head.
He held her face still. “I’m giving you one warning. If I hear you say anything negative about yourself, you’ll be punished. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” she murmured. The thought of being punished by him was enough to ramp up her desire for him, which she found a little disturbing. She’d ask the girls questions when they were alone. Until then, she would enjoy everything he did to her.