Chapter 27
Luke
I tell myself this is just aftercare. That I’m only holding Emmy because it’s part of the script. But I know it’s a lie; I’ll do anything to keep her in my arms. It just feels so fundamentally right that she’s here, all boneless and relaxed and trusting.
The scene wasn’t long or complicated – ideal for a first time – but the way Emmy relaxed into it and let me lead her could become a very dangerous addiction indeed.
She’s got a beautiful submissive side and the fact that she can place her trust in me so easily has cracked the firm casing of ice I’ve kept around my heart since Lucy and I broke up and everything went sideways.
I’d forgotten how terrifying it is to fall for someone. And I know that I’ve already fallen hard for Emmy Warner. Not that she can ever know.
As we lie there, her head leaning against my chest, I feel a pang of something I don’t want to name.
She’s not mine to keep. That wasn’t our deal.
She has a chance for a fresh start in the wake of her divorce and I cannot be the thing that stands in the way of her finding herself and her happiness.
She cannot be dragged into something with me when she’s barely stopped bleeding over Colin’s betrayal.
I’ll simply have to make the most of my time with her while we work through her list and then let her go when it’s time. But for now? She’s mine.
Emmy sighs and snuggles into me, pulling me out of my thoughts and back to the present moment.
“This is nice,” she murmurs, trailing her fingertips through the water.
“Aftercare is a key part of any power exchange,” I explain, keeping my voice neutral and informative, as if I’m explaining how a fuse works.
“It’s especially important after something intense.
It’s not just about comfort, it’s about trust. And feeling valued and safe.
And sometimes, it’s about tending to bruises or marks that have come as a result of a scene. ”
She shivers against me but doesn’t ask for more details. I’ll let her curiosity brew for now.
“I think I’d like you to tie me up next time,” she whispers, sitting up in the bath and twisting to face me. The expression on her face is that intoxicating mix of shy and bold. She’s learning how to ask for what she wants but she’s still a little unsure of herself. I have to hold in my groan.
“We can do that,” I say, with a lightness I do not feel.
“Great.” She beams, turning fully so she’s now opposite me.
The bath is deep but her nipples are peeking just above the water line and it takes all of my control not to harden again at the sight.
Her long, wet hair drips water down the slopes of her breasts and I drag my gaze back to her eyes as she smirks at me.
“Do you have lots of, er, playmates at Salt?” she asks out of nowhere. I blink and consider my reply.
“I have friends that I play with from time to time,” I reply, evenly, tilting my head slightly as I meet her curious eyes. She nods, thoughtfully.
“How many are you playing with at the moment?” she pushes and I raise an eyebrow.
“None at the moment,” I admit. “Just you.”
“Oh.” She bites her lip. “Ok.”
The silence between us drags on for a beat too long.
“We can go to the club next time, if you like?” I offer. “If you want to try restraints then some of the playrooms are well set up for different types of bondage.”
She blushes at the word ‘bondage’ and I fight the smile that tugs at my lips.
She’s still a tourist in my world but I don’t want her to feel patronised.
I want her to feel confident in navigating this space, especially for her life beyond our little arrangement.
I swallow down a flicker of jealousy at the idea of her exploring her sexuality with someone else.
I was only ever meant to be the doorman to this world after all.
“That sounds good,” she says, that shy smile returning. Before I can say anything else, she stands in the bath and gives me the glorious view of her naked body, still soapy with bubble bath. She reaches for a towel from the shelf, wrapping it around herself then turning back to me.
“Thanks for tonight, Luke,” she tosses over her shoulder, sashaying out of the bathroom.
I stay put, my mind whirring. I hadn’t really stopped to think about the fact that she’s the only person I’m sleeping with at the moment.
It’s not like it was a deliberate decision, it’s more that it just seemed wrong, somehow, to not make her my only priority.
The idea of being with anyone else at the moment is jarring, which only confirms to me that my heart’s on very thin ice.
I stay in the bath until long after the water has cooled and her scent finally fades.