Page 105 of Dark Duet: Platinum Edition

“And what, exactly, might that be?” Caleb asked.

Livvie shifted her body until she was on her knees behind him and then pressed her naked breasts against his back to whisper in his ear. Caleb’s eyes widened ever so slightly and his heart picked up speed.

Over the last few months, Caleb had taken advantage during their sexual encounters, and though she’d always been incredibly wet when he touched her and she’d had several orgasms, he’d always suspected her heart had not been in it – and he hadn’t cared. Somehow, things were different now.

“Make love to me.”

He’d intended only to play the game they’d always played, the one featuring him as The Big Bad Wolf and her as frightened Little Red Riding Hood. He hadn’t been prepared for the kiss or….

“I love you!”

After she’d been injured, he’d treated her like spun glass. He’d been careful not to injure her further, or cause her unnecessary pain. Unfortunately, it had also allowed her to work herself into more than his thoughts. For the first time since his life had descended into this dark place, something akin to caring for another person found a place to thrive inside him.

It seemed a lifetime had passed since Caleb had been made to submit to the will of another. It had nearly killed him the last time. Still, her hold on him…was far more than physical. “Kitten?” he said.

“Yes?” Livvie said hesitantly.

“I came on you,” Caleb said through a laugh.

Livvie laughed. “Yep.” She kissed Caleb’s neck. “I’m pretty sticky, too.”

“Shower?”

“Absolutely,” Livvie said.

Caleb walked into the bathroom and stared first at the shower, and then at the bath. Either would serve their purpose, but each had its own appeal. The shower had a bench, and the glass enclosure trapped steam to keep them comfortable when not under the direct spray. Caleb had a vision of pressing Livvie up against the glass. It left him light headed for a moment.

“The shower or the tub?” asked Livvie.

“I was just asking myself the same. I suppose it’s up to you. This is your fantasy, after all.” Caleb grinned and turned to watch Livvie blush.

She playfully slapped him on the chest. “Yeah, right! I’m sure you’re just gonna hate it.” She smiled brightly, but then seemed to doubt herself.

“What’s wrong?” Caleb asked.

“Nothing. It’s just…” She bit at her bottom lip, then started picking at it with her fingernails.

Caleb pulled her hand away from her mouth. “It’s just, what? Change your mind?” He was at once relieved and annoyed.

She shook her head slightly. “No, it’s just…I’ve never done this before.” She looked down at her feet, up at him, then back down.

Caleb wanted to help her out, he really did. He wanted to let her know it didn’t matter. Anything she deigned to do to him, or with him, would be perfect. But frankly, watching her squirm was too much fun to pass up.

“Never done what before?” he asked and went toward the shower to turn it on. This could get messy. The shower was perfect for messy.

Livvie rolled her eyes in exasperation. “You know what.”

“Kitten,” he said as the sound of running water echoed around the room, “if you can’t say it, how do you expect to do it?” Livvie blushed and Caleb smiled.

“Don’t make fun of me, Caleb. I don’t like to be made fun of,” she said and covered her breasts. Caleb didn’t like that so much.

He stepped closer, building his own arousal by taking Livvie in with his eyes. She was beautiful. She’d healed almost completely, and Caleb couldn’t help but feel…grateful. There would be no scars for Livvie. At least, not on the outside.

The thought of Livvie’s mental scars brought him up short. He’d been having dreams lately, old memories bombarding him in the middle of the night. When he’d first been rescued, they had been an almost-nightly occurrence – but after a year or two with Rafiq, they had stopped. The stronger he’d become, the more sure of himself and his destiny, the more peaceful his sleep. He hated to speculate on why the dreams would return now and why so many of them involved Rafiq.

Caleb stood in front of Livvie and pulled her head to his chest. “I wasn’t making fun, but Kitten…we shouldn’t do this.” Caleb was surprised to have Livvie squirm out of his arms and push him back. He stumbled back a step but quickly set himself to rights.

Livvie glared at him. “No. We’re doing this. You’re going to take off those shorts and get in the shower,” she pointed, “and I’m going to…to….”