For the first time, he was lost and needed someone else to take the lead. But Leah was a total wreck; he needed to be there for her, not the other way around. Perhaps that was the answer. Just take care of her, completely. Give her everything she needed, that she wanted. He knew how to do that. He had always liked doing that for his subs, her more than any other.
“Do you want any more food?” he asked. She had eaten all of hers and half of his.
“Yes,” she blushed. “But I can tell I’ll get sick.”
“Maybe an early dinner then.” She nodded back at him. “Are you still sleepy?”
Leah shook her head no. “I’m actually a little sick of laying down.”
“So we need to entertain you,” he smiled, wrapping his arm around her. That feeling he got when she nuzzled into his shoulder. It was incredible.
“Maybe we do,” she giggled.
He searched his memory for things that she had liked to do before she was taken. So much of her time had been set aside for catering to his needs and he started to feel guilty. “Would you like to go to the woodshop?”
“No tools!” she shot back, tensing.
“Okay, okay.” He kissed the top of her head, stroking her arm.
“But I do want to watch you work again. Pretty soon, I think.”
Then it occurred to him. “What do you want to do now?” Such a simple question. One that he did not have a lot of experience asking.
“Well,” she started. “I’m a little anxious about the baby’s room. I don’t feel ready.”
His spirits lifted immediately. Maybe she really was staying. “So a little shopping then. That’s a good idea. If we order soon, it should all get here in time.”
“I don’t want to sit at that desk downstairs.”
“I know. Wow, you really have been upstairs for a while, haven’t you? I had it taken out of the house.” Adam brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles. “Your wrist. We were supposed to go to the doctor.”
“It’s not hurting.”
“I already bought the x-ray equipment, Leah,” he said sternly, instantly regretting his tone. This was going to take some getting used to.
He cupped her chin, lifting her face. “Please.” Another word he wasn’t used to saying. “I’ll worry if you don’t. It’s already healing so slowly.”
“All right. I’ll go.”
“Thank you.” That just popped out of his mouth automatically. That wasn’t hard to say at all. He was so grateful just to hold her, he could say it a thousand times a day.
“Do you want to get dressed first?”
“Yes, please.”
“I’ll help you up.”
“I don’t want to go in the closet.”
He stilled. No small spaces, no loud noises. So many things to be careful not to mention. So many things to worry about frightening her, sending her into a panic. It made him very angry, but he pushed it away.
“Will you pick something out for me?”
“I’ll get you whatever you want, baby.”
“Something with long sleeves that are easy to roll up. If I have anything like that. I can’t remember.”
He darted into the closet and grabbed a loose fitting button up shirt and a pair of stretchy, comfortable pants. Even being away from her for a few seconds was unnerving.
“I’ll help you.”
She wrapped her arms around herself tightly and shook her head. “I don’t want to you to see me naked.”
“Leah…”
“Please.” Her eyes were watery already. The slightest little thing could set her off.
“Of course.” He sat the pile of clothing on the end of the bed. “But can I stay in the room? I’ll shut my eyes and turn around.”
She nodded. As much as it bothered him to take his eyes of her, he did as he promised. This was definitely a first. The rejection stung a bit, but what really worried him was why she wanted it that way.
“Okay,” she said meekly. He waited until she gave him permission. “You can turn around now.”
Her clothes hung off of her and her eyes were down, looking embarrassed. Rushing over to her, he lifted her chin and pressed his forehead against hers. “I love you.” He kissed her softly, leaving his lips against hers until he felt them curl upwards.
“I love you, too.” He could get used to hearing that.
“Can I carry you over there?”
“You don’t have to. I can walk.”
“Okay.” He held her hand. “It’s just, I really like to do it. Pick you up and carry you around.”
She let out a little laugh, making him realize how much he missed the sound. “I do too.”
He scooped her up carefully and started down the stairs. She kept her eyes closed and he almost asked her if she wanted him to remodel the living room, but thought it was better not to.
“So when we get back, I’ll bring the laptop up to the bed, alright? We’ll look at things for the baby’s room.”
“Okay.”
“Or,” he said softly. “We could sit in my office. If you want.” It was off limits before.
“Really?”
“Yea,” he answered, planting a little peck on her nose. “I have some paint swatches in there I want you to look at. Some other stuff for the baby too. A teddy bear. One of mine, from when I was little. I had it cleaned and restuffed.”
She kissed his chest. Maybe this would work out after all.
Her wrist was fine and the cast could come off next week. Adam couldn’t wait. That reminder was particularly bothersome. Showing her his office went well. There was a picture of his kids on his desk that he had forgotten about, but it didn’t bother her. In fact, she seemed to like that it was there.
She picked out the exact shade of blue that he had wanted for the baby’s room out of more than twenty, but she wouldn’t believe him when he told her. After they were done shopping she obviously felt better. Ramira brought dinner up to the office and remembered the extra portion he’d requested for Leah. She’d be heading back to the village for a few days because her granddaughter was sick. The fridge was stocked with prepared meals, all he would have to do was heat them up in the microwave.
Leah was clearly getting sleepy, but it took some gentle convincing to get her to go to bed. When they got to their bedroom, her anxiety was noticeable but she wouldn’t tell him what was wrong. Everything had been going so well today. Now he was lost again.
“Will you please just tell me what is bothering you,” he begged. “I can’t stand this.” He was frustrated, not angry, but he could tell the tone of his voice was too strong.
She just stood there.
“Please, baby. I’ll be up all night wondering.”
Leah finally looked at him. “I need a bath. And Ramira’s gone. I don’t think I can do it myself. My cast will get wet and I’m really tired.”
Adam let out a sigh of relief. “That’s all? I can help you.”
Her face dropped. “I don’t want you to see me naked.”
“Baby, I’ve savored every single inch of you. What’s the big deal?”
“Not like this!” she hissed. “My tits are gone, I have chicken legs, my hair is half of what it was. Flaky skin, peeling nails. No ass! You can see every bone. I’m fucking hideous!”
Adam took a deep breath and literally bit his tongue. He had never allowed his submissives to speak negatively about themselves, he found it insulting. His automatic reaction was to chastise her. That was by far the worst thing he had ever heard come out of a woman’s mouth.
But her face was beyond pitiful. His anger evaporated immediately when he looked into her eyes.
“That’s not what I see when I look at you, Leah.”
“You’re just remembering how I was.”
“No,” he started, unsure of how to proceed. “I’ve seen you naked since you’ve been back.”
“What?”
“When I pulled you out of the water. We were worried about hypothermia. I
got you out of those wet clothes and wrapped you in a blanket.”
She blushed, looking so embarrassed it hurt him.
“And I gave you a sponge bath in the hospital.”
“You did?”
“You weren’t conscious yet.”
He closed the distance between them and hugged her a little too tightly.
“I’ve saw you at the worst point and you weren’t hideous then. You’re not ugly now.”
“You promise?”
“I swear on my life. Let me help you.”
She looked up at him and nodded.
“You sit down for a minute. I’ll fill the tub up. Very warm water, right?”
“Yes.”
He was back in an instant.
“Do you want me to help you get out of your clothes? I can turn around and wait until you’re in the water if you want, but I’m terrified of you falling.”
“No, it’s okay,” she sighed. “I’ll take them off, you can help me into the tub.”
He wasn’t sure where to look while she undressed, so he took his own shirt off and fiddled with the water temperature. When he finally looked in her direction, her eyes were on the floor. It was so wonderful to see her looking relatively healthy again, she had made tremendous progress.
“You look so much better, cutie.”
She bit her lip and looked up at him. “Really?”
“Yes. Almost as good as new.” That wasn’t exactly true, but her ego could use a little boost.
She took his hand and stepped into the tub. Her breasts were getting bigger, not as big as they would have been normally, but large enough to sway a bit when she moved. And her belly, so round and full. Adam hardened automatically and felt a little guilty, hoping she wouldn’t notice.
Their bathtub was huge and she was so little. She winced as she sank into the water.
“Is it to hot?”
“No, it’s perfect.” Adam looked at her, puzzled. “It’s the water. It makes me a little nervous.”
“Oh.” His anger flared. Leah loved water. She wasn’t too keen on swimming, but she absolutely loved to be by water and in it, as long as her feet were touching. Walker had taken so much from her and Adam knew it was his fault. He was going to give it all back or spend his life trying.
“Will you get in here with me?”
He couldn’t help but grin at the request. “Of course.” He stayed still.
“You don’t have to if you don’t want,” she whispered.
“Baby, I would love to,” he reassured her. “It’s just…”
“What?”
“I’m hard.”
“Really?”
“As a rock. I can’t help it.” Her eyes widened. “I don’t expect anything. It’s just automatic.”
She smiled at him, probably the biggest smile he’d seen since she was back, making his heart race. “Get in,” she demanded, scooting over.
He pulled his pants off and stepped into the opposite side of the tub, not touching her. Her chin dropped.
“What’s wrong?”
“Will you please hold me?” Her voice quaked.
“Come here, beautiful.”
The water splashed as she climbed into his lap. His cock pressed against her thigh, an involuntary groan escaping his lips. Her leg was soft again, nowhere near what it should be, but enough to slightly ease his anxiety about her recovery. To keep her cast out of the water she had flung her arm over his shoulder, slightly turning her breasts toward him. Perhaps this hadn’t been the best idea.
Adam was used to getting what he wanted when he wanted it. Determined to avoid hurting her, emotionally or otherwise, he decided it would be best to focus on what they had come in here to do. Then suddenly, her lips were on his, her fingers twisted in his hair. He broke away, pulling back to look in her eyes. They weren’t afraid, not a hint of hesitation. Clamping his mouth onto hers, he plunged his tongue between her lips while his hands sought out her beautiful belly.
It had never felt this way before. He had never had a kiss so intense, so full of longing. There had never been another person he was so desperate to touch. Her fingers wrapped around his erection as he let out a groan.
“Stop.”
“I want to.” She wouldn’t stop kissing him.
“I don’t want you to.”
Her eyes were hurt. “Okay.”
He threaded this fingers though her hair and gave it the slightest tug as he kissed her deeply. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
If this was where this was going, and clearly it was, there was no way he would be first. He was already too far in her debt.
“Turn around.” His tone was more commanding than he intended it to be. It was his nature. “Please,” he added softly.
She nodded and started to do as he’d asked. Impatience got the better of him and he pulled her into his lap. His hand completely encircled her tiny bicep, instantly reminding him of her frailty as he regained his composure and kissed her shoulder. “Sorry.”
Leah pressed her back into his chest, his cock digging into her cheek as his eyes rolled back into his head. Her tiny legs were spread around his muscular thigh. He grunted into her ear, but he was in control of himself completely.
“I love you, Leah,” he whispered, feeling it more in that moment than he ever had before.
“Adam…” It sounded like she was tearing up.
“Shhh.” His lips grazed her neck. “Just relax, baby.”
He felt her body obey him, going lax in his arms and slumping into his chest. Right before it hit the water, he caught her bound wrist and moved their bodies closer to the edge of the tub to keep it upright. Holding it in his hand for a moment, he buried his face in her hair and took a moment to experience how grateful he was that she was here.
“I love you so much.” He pressed his finger against her lips before she could say it back. “Don’t talk. Don’t move. Don’t think.” His lips traveled from her ear to her collarbone. “Just feel.”
Her head nodded. His hands found her round belly, his fingers circling her navel while he pressed his forehead into her shoulder. Adam held her there for a moment, listening to the rhythm of her breathing as he ran his fingers along her skin, her arms, her thighs, her waist. Before long he just had to grab her breasts and he let out a loud moan, startling himself.
“Holy shit, I love you so fucking much,” he choked.
This was new territory. She was limp in his arms, completely at his disposal, just how he liked her, but it was entirely different. All he could think about was pleasuring her, how he could use her body to make her feel how much he loved her. And to give her the satisfaction, the release she deserved.
“Mmmm,” she moaned as he gently rolled her nipples between his fingers and nibbled on her earlobe.
Hearing her respond to his touch had never been so gratifying. He pinched her a little harder, gauging her reaction by the intensity of her breathing. She liked it, and he was fascinated by how much that pleased him. One of his hands traveled downward, grazing her swollen stomach and lingering above her sex.
Her breathing was so heavy. Adam nuzzled his face into her neck as his fingers spread her lips apart. A gasp escaped her throat as he found her clit and pressed against it. He pinched her neglected nipple and started to rub the bundle of nerves between her legs. She was panting, her body tensing in his arms. His hand left her slit and gripped her other nipple firmly as she let out a frustrated groan.
He waited for her breathing to slow and her muscles to relax until his fingers returned to her clit. Once her breathing was so fast he could tell she was almost there, he pulled it away again and went back to toying with her breasts.
“Adam…” she groaned.
“It’s for you, baby.” He hugged her body closer to his. “Not for me. I promise.”
Controlling Leah’s pleasure was always particularly enjoyable for him, but until now it had served another purpose. The only thing that mattered to him at the present momen
t was ensuring she had the best orgasm he could give her. She deserved a symphony of pleasure that could only be achieved with the proper buildup.
He fondled her body tenderly, bringing her almost to climax before letting her back down again.
“Adam!” she cried as his fingers left her clit. There was just enough frustration in her voice to let him know she was almost ready.
“Not yet.” He sucked on her neck as she wriggled. “Trust me, baby. It’s the only thing I’m sure I know how to do.”
Her body relaxed into his. If her fatigue weren’t so apparent he probably would have kept up like this for a little longer. When his fingers found her he knew he had to give her what she needed.
“I love you.” It was so easy to say it now, he liked the way it sounded.
He pinched her nipples harder as her breathing got deeper and faster, switching between them rapidly. His fingers stroked her clit as she kicked her legs. Pressing his palm against her mound to hold her steady, he smiled as he heard the first shriek of ecstasy. He tried to let her move as little as possible while she thrashed, trapping the energy inside her body as she exploded in his arms. It went on for even longer than he’d hoped, but her cries were weaker than he expected.
Leah collapsed against his chest, slumping deeper into the water. He realized that he might have gotten a bit carried away. For a moment he thought that she might have passed out, but when he turned her body to cradle her in his arms her eyes were open. Her expression was serene, but a little to worn out for his liking.
“A little too intense?”
She nodded. “Amazing, though.”
He kissed her softly. Her body was warmer than the bath now, but that wouldn’t last for very long. He leaned forward to fill it with a little hot water.
“Go ahead and doze off, baby.”
Laughing, he realized she already had as he soaped up a washcloth. She had asked him for a bath and he would never fail her again.
Captured by the Billionaire (Omnibus Edition) Page 13
