Falling With Grace

“Don’t move.”

His weight slipped off the bed, causing a slight bounce, and his bare feet padded into the bathroom.

What do I do now?

I sat, my heart thudding in my chest.

Cooled cum rolled towards my butt as water splashed against a hard surface in the bathroom and plastic rustled.

My stomach churned, and the adrenaline zipping through my veins waned. Chills broke out across my skin as I stepped off the bed.

Elias walked out of the bathroom with a cloth in his hand. A frown creased his brow as he snapped his fingers. “Back on the bed.”

Was he going to…

I drew my foot up and braced my knee on the bed, the congealed cum now running between my cheeks. I shook my head. “You don’t have to do that.”

A muscle clenched in his jaw. “I don’thaveto.” He placed his warm hand on my shoulder and pressed my chest back into the mattress. “But Iwantto.”

The warm washcloth swiped over my back and butt, leaving behind a chilled path, causing goosebumps to erupt across my scarred skin.

Is this how it’s supposed to be?

Did the men take care of the woman afterward?

My heart drummed against my breastbone, my face buried in the comforter as his hands moved, cleaning himself from my body.

“How do you feel?”

I pressed up to my elbows and glanced over my shoulder towards him. “Cold.”

A wet slap hit the floor, and the bed dipped down. He wore a smile, his small dimple visible in the dim room. “Come here.” His warm hand wrapped around my arm and tugged, causing me to roll over at a whiplash-inducing speed.

His bandaged, naked frame lay beside me, his perfect hair now hanging over his cut brow, which had coagulated.

The weight of a thousand elephants eased off of my chest as he stared down at me. “How are you even more beautiful than before?”

Heat climbed my throat and settled at my cheeks. “I don’t know, but disheveled looks good onyou.”

He gave me a half laugh and smile as he slipped his hand around my waist, tugging me closer to his chest. “Get into bed.”

Stay?

I frowned—the smile eviscerated from my lips.

I couldn’t stay.

What if he regretted me in the morning… like he did that kiss?

What have I done?

“You’re thinking too much.”

“Elias.” I jerked from his grip and jumped from the bed, my feet landing on the wet washrag he’d tossed, his smile gone as though I’d stolen it.

Maybe I did.

“You want me to stay?” My hands covered my mouth, my stomach sinking as I shook my head. “No one asks me to stay.” The elephant settled back on my chest as I drew in rapid breaths. “What if you see me in the morning and…”