Page 93 of Learn Your Lesson

“You did, indeed,” I murmured. “Now let me get you cleaned up.”

It wasn’t a request. I could tell by her reaction to every word and demand that she’d enjoyed our play time, but I was also aware that her experience was practically nothing. I wanted to make sure she felt okay, that she knew I respected her and adored her.

Shit.

I swallowed as that last thought found me, ignoring it somewhat as I tugged Chloe back to my bedroom.

I didn’t miss how she looked around while I ran the shower. She’d never been in there before.

No woman ever had.

Without a word, I helped her step under the warm stream of water, and then I stepped in behind her. The rain shower covered us from above, and Chloe sighed, letting her head fall back as she savored every drop.

“Are you okay?” I asked, reaching for my shower gel. I hoped she wouldn’t mind that it wasn’t a feminine scent. I lathered some in my hands and waited for her response.

“I’m fuckingincredible,” she said, smiling at me and wiping the water from her eyes.

I smirked. “I’ll say.”

I waggled my brows as she laughed, and then I began to gently massage her, working the lathered foam over her shoulders, across her breasts, over her stomach and hips and thighs. I didn’t sexualize her while I did. I cleaned her, caressed her, soaking up the sated moans she let free and the soft smile on her lips.

“Thank you,” she whispered, and when I caught her gaze, there was true appreciation there.

“I think I should be thankingyou.”

“No, I mean it,” she said, frowning a bit as she looked at my chest. “I never knew it could be like this. I always thought…” She shook her head. “You make me feel powerful. Sexy,” she added, her gaze finding mine. “Wanted.”

My throat was tight as I rinsed my hands and then her.

How the fuck had she notalwaysfelt that way?

“What happened,” I asked. “The first time you…”

She snorted. “Oh, God. Do you remember the little comment I made that time we were watchingJeopardy, about my head hanging off the bed?”

My jaw clenched.

I’d thought that was a joke.

Chloe shook her head. “It was awful, Will.”

Why did I love it so much when she said my name like that, like we were old friends, like we were lovers?

That very thought struck a violent chord inside me that made me regret asking.

I wanted to know more about her, and yet I knew it was dangerous to know anything at all.

I’d had a friend with benefits before.

She turned into my wife, the mother of my child, and then she died.

The thought was sobering just as much as Chloe’s story. She washed her hair and chattered away, telling me about the first, and only, man she’d been with. It was some stupid college boy who’d lasted all of six seconds. He obviously hadn’t even thought about her pleasure, let alone acted on it.

I listened, but I’d be lying if I said my mind hadn’t gone elsewhere.

Mostly to the place it always went when I needed protection.

“I’m sorry,” I said when she finished. I reached around her to turn off the water.