Chapter 26
26
O nce he ended the call with Ink, Ethan turned to Cate just in time to see her stand and stumble.
He leaped over and grabbed her.
“Baby? Are you all right?”
Her trembling grew almost violent, her teeth chattering. Delayed reaction. She’d done so well at holding everything together, but now it was time to let him take over.
“Oh, baby. Everything is all right. You’re fine.”
Moving slowly so he didn’t frighten her, he drew her into his chest, holding her.
“T-tighter,” she told him.
He tightened his hold and felt her relax slightly. “I’m going to pick you up and carry you into your room.”
She was breathing erratically. Fuck, he couldn’t take it anymore.
He had to get her somewhere that she felt safe. Lifting her into his arms, he cradled her against his chest.
“I . . . I’ve never b-been carried l-like this before.”
“You’re freezing,” he grumbled. “I should have done this as soon as we got home.”
“I had to talk to the police.”
“They could have waited.”
“Ethan.”
“Yes?” he asked as she patted his chest.
“You’re all right too.”
He let out a deep breath as he opened her bedroom door and walked in, carrying her.
“Not sure I am, baby.” He was rattled, upset, angry. “But I’m doing better now that I’ve got you home and safe and in my arms.”
“You l-like holding me?”
“I more than like it.” He sat on an armchair in her room and positioned her on his lap, keeping his arms banded around her.
“You’re good at this,” she told him.
“At what? Taking care of you? Not sure if I’d agree after what just happened.”
Leaning back, she frowned up at him. “That’s not true. What happened wasn’t your fault. And you got us both out of there, safe. That means you did a very good job of looking after me.”
He ran a finger down her cheek. “So fierce. You’re good for my ego, you know.”
“I am?”
“Hmm.”
“I didn’t think you would have self-esteem issues. Is it related to your small penis?”
“What? No! I don’t have a small penis.”
She went red. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I said that. It was because of what Samantha said the other day about your penis. I didn’t mean to upset you.” She attempted to get off his lap.
Shit! What was he doing? He was supposed to be making her feel more at ease and secure. Not upsetting her.
“Hey, it’s all right. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be . . . sensitive.”
“Oh. That’s all right.”
“You convinced Rhodes to stay in New York.”
“Yes. Although he wasn’t happy. Samantha got very upset. Can I tell you something in secret?”
“Of course.”
“I don’t care for Samantha.”
He had to keep his face from betraying his amusement. He didn’t want her to think he was laughing at her.
“I don’t either,” he whispered back.
“I feel so bad for not liking her. But she’s loud and she acts one way around Rhodes but can be very different when he’s not here.”
“I’ve noticed.” He cupped the side of her face. “He won’t like it if she upsets you. You should tell him. I don’t like it either.”
That was putting it mildly.
His Daddy Dom instincts were definitely in overdrive. And he was finding it hard to fight them.
“I need something from you,” he told her.
Great. Way to just blurt it out.
But she didn’t look alarmed. Or upset. In fact, she just tilted her head and stared at him. “You need something from me?”
“Yes. I’m hoping it’s not too much to ask.”
“What is it?”
“I need to take care of you.”
Her pale blue eyes widened. “Take care of me? Isn’t that what you’ve been doing for the last few weeks?”
There was a slight blush in her cheeks and he ran a finger over her smooth skin.
“In a way, yes. But I need more. My . . . my protective instincts are riding me hard. You were in danger today and I can’t stand it. Although it’s more than just what happened. It’s your tiredness. It’s the way your boss looked at you. It’s feeding you a burger and tater tots. It’s just . . . you, baby. Will you let me take care of you? Maybe Daddy you . . . just slightly.”
“Just slightly?” she repeated.
He groaned. “That’s likely a lie. I’ll try to hold myself back. I don’t want to step over your limits or push your comfort level. The last thing I want is to make you wary around me. But my brain is screaming at me that I have to look after you to ensure you’re safe.”
“Oh.”
He knew she was going to say no. And he didn’t blame her. This was a lot that he was putting on her.
“What would you want to do exactly?”
Shock filled him, freezing his tongue.
“Sorry,” she said. “I struggle with new situations when I don’t understand what might happen. If there are clear boundaries, rules, expectations, that sort of thing, then I find it easier. But I understand that can be irritating . . . to have to explain everything to me. I think . . . I think maybe I’m going to go get ready for bed. I feel tired after everything.”
“Whoa. Okay. Stop.”
He was a fucking idiot.
But, also, she had to stop thinking everything was her fault and apologizing all the time.
“I want you to listen to me and you’re not to move from my lap,” he added when she continued to try and wriggle off his legs.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re bossy?”
“Thank you, yes. I have heard that on occasion.”
“Like when I called you stubborn, that wasn’t a compliment.”
“Hmm, I’ll take it as one.”
She huffed out a breath. “Only you would think that being called bossy was a compliment.”
“I like you like this.”
“On your lap?”
“Hmm. That too. But I was actually talking about how at ease you are with me. Do you realize that you’re no longer hiding all of your emotions from me? When I do something you don’t like, you tell me. And when I do something you do like.”
“Oh.” She bit her lip. “I have been, haven’t I?”
“Yes. I like that you feel safe enough with me to show me parts of you. I can’t wait until I see all of you.”