Chapter 8 #4
The water begins to cool as our glasses empty, so we take that as our cue to get out of the bath.
Erik climbs out first, taking my glass and then wrapping me in a thick towel to dry off.
It’s a beautiful part of our dynamic to be here with him drying off in our bathroom, feeling like we’ve known each other for years rather than the months we’ve actually known one another.
“Come, I want to feel your skin on mine. I can see your breasts practically filling before my eyes.”
Erik pulls me onto the bed, and I laugh at his sudden urgency.
He settles me in position, grabbing another pillow for my arm, and then shuffles himself down on my lap naked, and already this feels so natural and even better than the first time.
I cradle his head as I feed my nipple into his open mouth, where he closes his lips around me and draws it into the back of his mouth and sucks all my milky goodness.
This time I run my hand along the contours of his body, enjoying the way he makes me feel and the way he feels when I touch and caress.
When he’s emptied his first breast, he moves across and settles blissfully into my other arm and nipple.
This time, with my right hand, I begin to stroke his already hard and leaking length, wanting to give him one more climax.
He sucks deeply as he builds to his final orgasm with me, and satisfaction courses through me when I eventually feel his body tense and relax as the small amount of cum he has left dribbles out.
Erik unlatches from my breast and lies sated in my arms, looking back at me. We don’t need any words; we are both happy exactly as we are.
CLAIRE
Two days later…
My breathing slows first. Then my pulse. The trembling that had been pervading my skin since our morning clinic appointment finally starts to subside.
We met with Dr. Madsen, as she wanted to follow up on the recent tests she ran on my milk production, and she discussed with us the healing capabilities my milk is showing.
She introduced us to Dr. Rhys, a recently hired doctor at their clinic.
He was there observing the visit. Apparently he specializes in lactation and exploratory measures to encourage lactation in women that desire to breastfeed yet are medically unable to.
My anxiety spiked as there were many terms mentioned: “special case," "unique," and “one of a kind.” Erik and Dr. Madsen promptly assured me that the HIPAA medical law act would ensure the privacy and protection of my information.
Still, my mind began to spiral into a worst-case scenario involving the camera at my bookshop, my phone, and what we believe is suspicious activity from SableCorp.
Later, upon our return home, Erik secured me in our home, getting us both naked and lying in bed together, skin to skin.
He lies beside me, half wrapped around me, one arm under my shoulders, the other draped protectively across my stomach.
His thumb draws slow circles on my skin, soothing and unhurried.
His mouth grazes my temple. “There you are,” he whispers. “Back with me.”
I melt into him. “I didn’t realize how much I needed this type of physical connection.”
“I did.” He nuzzles behind my ear. “Your body was overloaded. Fear hijacks the same pathways as lactation and tightens everything. You needed release and grounding.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
“For what?”
“For acting scared.”
His fingers tilt my chin until I meet his eyes. “Being scared isn’t a weakness,” he says softly. “It’s proof you understand the stakes. I would rather you felt scared beside me than brave and alone in danger.”
My eyes sting. “You make everything feel safe.”
“That’s the point.”
He reaches over to the bedside table, grabs a tissue, and wipes gently, tenderly.
I exhale a shaky breath. “What happens now?”
“Now, we focus on taking one day at a time.” He tucks the blanket around me, careful not to jostle my sensitive chest.
“And tomorrow?” I ask.
“Tomorrow…” he says, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Moving forward, I'm going with you to every appointment.”
I blink. "Every single one?"
“Yes, little one.”
“What about your work?”
“I have six brothers for a reason,” he assures softly. “That’s what family is for.”
His arms pull me closer, his warmth enveloping me.
“You trust me?” he asks quietly.
“With everything,” I whisper.
“Good.” His lips touch my forehead. “Then let me keep you safe.”
My eyes drift shut. For the first time that day, I feel calmer and protected in his loving arms.
ERIK
She falls asleep with her head on my chest, breathing slow and steady. Her body is warm, relaxed from the release I helped her find, and safe in a way I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life protecting.
But I don’t sleep.
I slide her gently onto her side and sit up, pulling the laptop from under the bed where I hid it.
The camera feed from the street outside her shop loads instantly.
Camera 3, Alley, Offline → reconnecting…
Camera 3, Reconnected
Camera 3, Frame drop detected (0.7 seconds)
Camera 3, Attempted packet capture
My blood runs cold. Someone is watching. I close the laptop.
I slide deeper into bed and wrap myself around her. “I’ve got you, little one,” I whisper into her hair. “No one will touch you.”
She sighs softly in her sleep, leaning back into me. And I make a promise: They want access, but they’re going to learn what happens when they threaten what’s mine.