Chapter 39
Katerina
I wake up wrapped in a warm blanket. I cuddle deeper, until it rises and a snore sounds in the air. A snore I recognize. I open my eyes to see my husband curled around me. Then I feel it. I feel his bare cock resting against my ass. Naked. We’re both still naked from last night.
Last night was a whirlwind. I’m terrified he regrets it. Or that he doesn’t mean what he said. Because I meant it. Every moment was what I’ve been craving. I didn’t even realize I needed him, but I did. I needed my husband to be real with me and to claim me as his wife.
“Good morning, tiger,” the sexy man behind me coos.
I slowly wiggle my way out of his grip. He doesn’t seem eager to let me go but eventually relents. I keep myself covered by the sheets as I untangle myself. I don’t know how to act after last night. I don’t want things to change, but what if he has new expectations now.
“Is this morning the gym or a run?” he asks casually. I turn to see him crawling out of bed, his full body on display. He doesn’t seem shy at all. But besides the nudity, he’s acting normal.
“Today’s the gym, then artillery.” I avert my eyes, wanting to give him privacy, but as soon as I get out of bed, his eyes are glued to me. So, I stop being shy. I prance past him into the bathroom.
He follows behind me.
“Perfect. I’ll hit the gym with you. I don’t have any major meetings, so I’ll go shooting as well.” I smile at his plans and realize nothing important has changed.
I turn on the water and adjust it to a warm setting. I step into the shower, only for my bear-sized husband to climb in behind me. I keep my back to him, not giving him any attention, but when I reach for the shampoo, he swats my hand away.
“Hey now!” I snap at him.
He just laughs and squirts some of the shampoo in his hand. When he puts it back, I go to try to get some but stop when he lathers it into my hair. I stand there dumbfounded as my husband washes my hair. It feels so good, but I know what he’s doing.
“I’m not having sex with you in this shower. I’m sore from last night, and it’s far too small in here.” I all but stomp my foot.
“Stop talking. I’m helping my wife get clean. I have no intentions of fucking you until you’re ready. I know women can be sore after their first time.” His words aren’t boastful, but I gasp at them.
He knows. He knows I lied and that I’m a virgin. Or, well, that I was. I wait for him to tease me or berate me for lying to him. But to my surprise, he stays silent.
He rinses out my hair then lathers it in conditioner. I don’t bother telling him he doesn’t need to put it on my scalp. I don’t really care if it leaves my hair greasy. He’s being so kind, and it’s melting my resolve. I didn’t know Dominic was capable of acting this way.
He starts washing my body, and I let him. He’s meticulous, making sure every inch of me is clean. While his movements aren’t sexual, his heated gaze lights me on fire.
When he finishes cleaning me, I swat his hand from the shampoo. I gather some in my hand and clean his hair. I appreciate my height at the moment since I don’t have to get on my tiptoes to reach him.
When I’m done cleaning him, he gets out and grabs us towels. We dry off and get dressed. I tell myself putting on my dirty clothes is fine because I’ll change into workout gear when we get home, and after the workout, I’ll shower again.
We head home, and conversation flows as normal. We change into workout gear and head to the gym. I like working out with him because he challenges me to be better. Later we go to the shooting range. He gives me a few helpful tips but overall seems impressed by my skills.
I can’t help the pride that flushes through me when he compliments my stance. Nor the victorious feeling when I hit the target every time.
And the whole afternoon, even though we’re acting normal, something’s different. It’s the way he looks at me. There’s something in his gaze that I can’t describe. An emotion I’m not familiar with.
The man who looked at me with contempt and disappointment all those months ago is long gone. And in his place is a man who cares for his wife in ways I don’t understand.