Page 39 of On His Terms

“You will never disappoint me.” He shook his head. “I promise you.” Chelsea’s reaction proved that she was totally different from Liz. When Liz found something he couldn’t tolerate, she repeated the act over. “Now, please get dressed, and I’ll be right back with you.”

After helping her to stand, he walked to the powder room to grab a tube of arnica. When he returned, she was curled up on the couch, and he asked her to stand and bend over for a moment.

Once she had, he flipped up the hem of her dress to examine her. “You have a couple of minor marks on the backs of your thighs.” Aware that she needed connection, he took his time as he rubbed some cream onto each mark.

He recapped the tube and offered it to her. “Take this home with you and reapply it before you go to bed.”

“Thank you for doing that, and for the instruction, Sir.”

“My pleasure,” he told her as he smoothed her garment back into place. Then he dropped the tube of arnica next to her purse before walking to the kitchen for bottled water.

As he returned, she covered herself with a blanket despite the night’s warmth.

“Thank you.” With a shaky hand, she uncapped the bottle and took a small sip.

As he once again sat in the nearby wingback chair, she spoke. “Questioning myself isn’t something I’m familiar with.”

“BDSM is, above all, a journey, as I said at the Den.”

A moment later, after apparently being lost in thought, she nodded. “I hate to admit it, but you’re right. I have some thinking to do.”

He pressed his palms together. “Take as much time as you need.”

“We have a two-week agreement, though.”

“It can begin again when you’re ready. And if you want to end our arrangement”—which might be my smartest move—“there’s no need to contact me again.”

“I just…”

With infinite patience, watching the confusion in her eyes, he waited.

“I don’t know what I want.”

“Understandable.”

“Would you be open, I mean… God.” She wrapped her arms around her. “This uncertainty is so unlike me.”

The version of Chelsea in front of him—so captivating, so tiny—was completely different from any she’d revealed before. Right now, her air of vulnerability reached him on a deep, protective level.

As much as he was getting to her, she was getting to him.

“I may want to talk some more.”

“My door is always open.”

“Thank you…” She hesitated, as if not sure whether to add an honorific. If the relationship were over, there was no need. “You’re being very patient and understanding.”

Despite the gravity of the emotional situation, he couldn’t help but nod, pleased. She’d remembered her manners.

When she stood, he followed suit. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

“Thanks, but I can see myself out. Your path is well lit.”

He wouldn’t hear of it. “The gentleman in me insists that I see to your safety.”

Softly, she sighed. “In that case, I accept.” Though her words were calm and in control, her face was pale, and her voice lacked its usual enthusiasm.

She led the way to the front door, where she picked up her purse and slung it over her shoulder—fastening her hand on the strap in a death grip.