Page 71 of For the Plot

She hasn’t moved. I kneel beside the bed and sweep the towel gently between her thighs. She gasps softly, her legs twitching as the heat touches her.

“Okay?” I ask.

She nods. “Yeah. Just sensitive.”

I slow down, more careful as I tend to her. I toss the towel aside and slide back into bed with her, pulling the sheets over our bodies as I settle behind her. My palm traces down her side, from the curve of her ribs to the dip of her waist, committing the shape of her to memory.

She shivers under my touch. I shift onto my elbow, gaze sweeping over her bare back, her hips, her thighs. Then I see it.

A faint red mark just above her shoulder where I bit her. Not hard enough to bruise. But enough to leave something.

A mark.

My fingers graze it. Her head turns, lashes fluttering open. “That better not be what I think it is.”

I lift a brow. “What do you think it is?”

“A mark. From your caveman teeth.”

I lean in and kiss it again, soft and slow. “It’s not a severe mark; it’ll be gone by morning.”

She snorts. “You bit me.”

“Lightly.”

“Like I was a steak.”

I chuckle. “A very delicious, perfectly rare one.”

She smiles, rolling onto her back, and that’s when I see all of her again. Lit only by the soft bedside lamp, hair wild, lips swollen, body wrecked and gorgeous. And mine… at least for tonight.

“Beautiful,” I reply, brushing a strand of hair off her cheek. “Every fucking inch. Are you okay?” I ask, my voice quieter now.

She smiles, lazy and soft. “Yeah. I don’t think I’ll be able to walk straight for a few hours, but I’m definitely okay.”

“I promise to let you get at least an hour or two of sleep tonight.” My hand drifts down her side, slow and possessive. I’m not done touching her. Not by a long shot. My gaze sweeps over the curve of her waist, her hip, the soft rise of her ass.

“Again?” She looks back at me.

“Not yet but yes, again later.”

“How do you have the stamina? I feel like I’m the most relaxed I’ve ever been.” She lets out a small groan, arching her back slightly as she stretches against me.

“Not used to a man with a healthy appetite?” I lean in this time, nipping my teeth against her jaw.

“That’s definitely not how your son did it.”

I freeze.

Blink once.

She bursts out laughing. “Oh my God, I’m sorry. I had to say it.”

I stare at her, stunned. Not angry. Just completely wrecked by the audacity. She’s blushing and grinning, her whole body trembling with laughter.

I sit back and rake both hands through my hair, trying to process the sheerchaosof the moment.

She covers her face. “Shit. I really shouldn’t have said that.”