Page 57 of Rejected By a Wolf
Not wanting anyone to hurt like she had, she refused to break her promises to others. She wasn’t about to start breaking them today.
“You can talk, you know. I’m not going to run.”
He laughed, seeming to find what she said to be amusing. “No? Then why haven’t you taken more than two steps into the tent since we got here?”
Because I’ve never undressed in front of anyone before,she thought to herself, though she didn’t dare say it out loud.
Since the attack on Trim she spent her entire life so dedicated to her training that she hardly took any time to enjoy herself, or anyoneelsefor that matter. Which meant she had no idea what was expected of her right now.
She didn’t know what to do and she was terrified because of it. Throw her into a fight to the death and she was perfectly fine. Ask her to get intimate with a man? She was lost.
Antonio’s expression softened. “You have the look of someone who believes they’re about to die. I’m not going to hurt you.”
“I know you won’t hurt me.”
“Then what is it? A bath isn’t so bad. It’s no secret you’re attracted to me.” He smugly grinned.
Her cheeks heated, but she tried to keep calm. Well, as calm as she could manage. “It’s not?”
He gave her a disbelieving look as he made her way to her. “We both know it’s not. What’s bothering you?”
“It’s just… I uh. I never…” She fumbled over her words, not exactly sure how to get out what she was feeling.
Coming to a stop in front of her, he said,“If you’re trying to tell me you’re inexperienced in these things, I know this. Youdoremember admitting to me that you’ve never been with another on the night we met, don’t you?”
“I did?” Why didn’t she remember admitting that to him?Probably because of all those beers I downed that night.
“You did.” His smile was reassuring. Knowing he was already aware of her inexperience with men helped ease her nerves a bit. “You have nothing to be anxious about.”
But shewasanxious. Surely he intended to do more than give her a bath. “I feel like it’s going to…” Her eyes trailed down to the much too prominent bulge between his pants. “Hurt.”
His face twisted in confusion. “Will what…oh.” His eyes flashed with understanding. “While I’m delighted to know you’ve already given that some thought, you don’t have to worry. Sex isn’t in the cards for tonight.”
Oh.Well, she felt a bit embarrassed.
He ran the backs of his fingers along the length of her face. “So you can relax a bit, yeah? Let me take care of you tonight.”
She nodded, managing to easing a bit more.
“C’mon.” He took her hand in his and led her to the steaming tub.
When she came to a stop beside it he positioned himself behind her, gently rubbing his hands along her shoulders. “Relax, okay?” He whispered into her neck, his warm breath sending electricity shooting through her veins. “I’m not going to bite you.”
For some reason, she wished he would.
If she didn’t like him so damn much she might not feel so anxious right now.
“Now lift your arms.” She did as he asked, his hands dipping to her waist and rolling her shirt up and over her. When the shirt was gone she felt his hands brushing against her mid back as he worked to unclip her bra, allowing it to drop to her feet once he did.
When a cool breeze brushed over her nipples, hardening them, she became very aware of both the vulnerable state shehad put herself in and how incredibly comfortable she was while in it. Oddly enough, she wasn’t uncomfortable in the slightest, finding Antonio’s presence incredibly soothing.
“How are you doing?” He grazed his teeth along her skin, surprising her when he nipped at her neck.
The feeling of his bite was thrilling, hardening her nipples a bit more. “Didn’t you say youweren’tgoing to bite me?” She jokingly asked, surprised by how natural this felt.
He chuckled against her skin. “Can you blame me for fibbing a bit? A white lie, nothing more.”
“And how many more white lies have you told me?” She asked as he dipped down and worked on her pants from behind.