Maddy smiled like I’d told her she was a princess. She was still wearing the grin when she dropped me off at my apartment. When I talked to Nick earlier, he planned to go shopping. I didn’t know for what, but I soon found out.
The smell of spaghetti sauce hit me as soon as I opened the apartment door. Underneath the delicious aroma of my favorite food, I detected Pine Sol. I found him in the kitchen, stirring the sauce. Getting warm in all of the right places, I shivered at the sight of him in a pair of jeans and wife beater. The dragon tattoo looked fearsome against his tanned skin. His scars caught my eye too, but I still smiled when Nick noticed me.
“What’s all this?”
“I’m making you mine tonight,” he said, watching me in a strange way. “Jodi said spaghetti is your favorite. I’m nearly finished with the pasta, so you’re right on time.”
Nick leaned down and nipped my lower lip. Grinning at his friskiness, I asked, “Do I smell garlic toast?” Nick nodded as I wrapped my arms tighter around him. “Why now?”
“Once I pick up the last thing from my apartment tomorrow, we’ll officially be living together. Sounds like a good reason to celebrate.”
Glancing to the tiny eating area, I smiled at the set table, complete with lit candles. “Hot damn,” I whispered then glanced at a grinning Nick. “Let me shower, so I smell as good as you do.”
After kissing me while squeezing my ass to make sure both buttcheeks arrived home safely, Nick stepped back. “Dinner will be in ten minutes.”
Grinning, I ran into the bedroom, stripped out of my clothes, and hurried into the shower. The scent of his shampoo and body wash put me in the mood for something besides eating. Even after I dressed and returned, my nipples stayed hard at the thought of a naked Nick.
The spaghetti was perfection and I ate two platefuls. Watching the whole time, his eyes were electric. Imagining what all his hunger meant for our after dinner activities, I devoured my food then leaned back and let it settle.
“I want you.”
“I know,” he murmured, still watching me like I was dessert. “Do you believe in us?”
“Of course,” I said quickly.
“I’ve pushed you away a lot and I still get itchy about little things. Does that worry you?”
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
Caressing his leg with my foot, I sighed. “I know you love me.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
We watched each other for a minute then I sighed again. “I worry you’ll leave.”
“I know. I can’t promise I won’t freak out again. I’ve spent so long alone and I’ve faked like I was happy for so long that I have trouble believing I can be real with you. Part of being real means I get scared in thunderstorms and think you’re a princess while I’m a piece of shit.”
“You’re half right,” I said and we both smiled. “I come with baggage too. You accept me and I accept you too. It’s perfect.”
Nick stood up and walked to my side of the table. After holding out his hand, he led me to the bathroom. He tugged off my shirt then shorts. Every time I tried to help or undress him, he shook his head.
“I’m in charge right now, Bailey.”
“Okay.”
Nick gave me a sly smile then slid my panties to the floor. Once I was naked, he stripped as I made approving noises. Nick never lost the hungry look in his eyes. I’d never seen it before and I was both scared and excited.
“You’re mine,” he said, lifting me onto his hips and carrying us under the warm water. “I’ve waited a long time for you and I’ve had trouble letting you close. Now I’m ready and I’m never letting you go.”
“Good,” I murmured against his throat as I sucked at the flesh.
Nick filled me and fucked like he was on a mission. Only getting started, Nick moved our lovemaking to the bed where he explored my damp body.
“Do you trust me?” he asked, walking to the dresser where he kept his clothes.
“Yes,” I said, rolling to my side. “I’m really enjoying the view. Your ass is a work of art.”
Nick grinned at me over his shoulder then turned with two neckties dangling from his hands. Likely seeing my concern, he asked again, “Do you trust me?”
“Yes, but what…”
Nick crawled onto bed and gently lifted one of my arms over my head.
“I don’t like that submissive shit.”
“I need you to prove you trust me.”
“I already said…”
“You lie without thinking,” he said, lifting the other arm and wrapping the tie around the head post then my wrists. “I need you to prove it.”
“Can I tie you up?” I challenged as he finished restraining my wrists.
“Sure,” he said, crawling lower with the other tie. “I trust you.”
“I don’t like this.”
“You want to be in control.”
“Yeah, but…”
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said, wrapping the second tie around my eyes. “Nothing bad will happen. I’m not other guys. I won’t abuse you. Or bring other men in here to share. I won’t do anything to embarrass you. I only want you to trust me.”