Nina grinned, knowing everything would be okay with Zeke there.
He let her use the bathroom first, bringing her a clean pair of panties and nothing else.
She smiled at him, then stripped out of her dirty clothes when he left the bathroom again. She decided to splurge and take a shower, wanting to feel clean after her orgasm. Something she wasn’t used to.
The water was warm, and the memories of Zeke’s hands were hot. She ached to feel him again, but she understood his resistance. She was used as a blowup doll, pumped full of whatever man wanted to pay for a turn with her. She needed a health checkup and probably some meds to get rid of any lingering diseases.
Gwendolyn brought a doctor in regularly to make sure all the women were clean of anything communicable. She would get mad when someone had something because she couldn’t sellthem. It was a rule they needed birth control and condoms and any other protection she could come up with.
Nina was grateful for the rules after her abortion. It was painful. She didn’t want the baby, but she didn’t feel right cutting its life short when the baby had done nothing wrong. As with everything else, Nina didn’t get a choice.
But with Zeke, she had choices. She could choose everything.
Except to leave.
She ignored the thought. It was better to be with Zeke. He said he loved her, more than once, and even though Nina knew he didn’t mean it in the way she wanted him to love her, she knew he meant it.
Nina finished her shower and dried off with the thick, fluffy towel hanging next to Zeke’s in the bathroom. It was all very domestic. Sharing a bed, a bathroom, sharing everything.
It was everything she’d ever dreamed it could be.
She slid the panties he chose for her up her legs and smiled. They wouldn’t last the night. Neither would his resistance.
What the hellwas he thinking? Nina walked out of the bathroom and Zeke nearly exploded. “Fucking hell.”
She smirked at him and walked toward him, slowly, with those hips shifting like she was on a runway instead of in his bedroom. “I’m not naked.”
Zeke shook his head. “You’re not naked.” It wasn’t enough to keep his dick in check. Or the rest of him. But it was fucking beautiful. She was beautiful.
Zeke stood when she got closer. She smiled, clearly aware of the effect she had on him. “Bathroom is all yours.”
“So are you, Nina.”
She shivered at his rough words, then bit her lower lip. “And you’re mine?”
“You have to ask? Fuck, yes, I’m yours. I always have been, angel.” He kissed her, then moved past her to go to the bathroom. He left the door open, not wanting to hide a damn thing from her anymore. He might not have been ready to admit he loved her, but he wasn’t hiding that he wanted her. Or that he cared about her.
The bed rustled as she climbed in. Zeke focused on using the bathroom, a challenge with an erection that would not ease up, then brushed his teeth and stripped down to his boxer briefs. Bad idea? Definitely. But he wanted to feel her skin on his and was willing to risk it.
“Are you ready for me to turn off the light?” he asked before he left the bathroom.
“I’m good. Thank you.”
Zeke enjoyed one last look of her in the light, then flipped the switch and joined her in the bed.
She curled up against his side, one hand draped over his stomach and her head on his shoulder.
Zeke kissed her hair, inhaling his scent on her. She didn’t smell like sex anymore, but he wasn’t surprised she wanted to clean up. After the things she confessed…
He couldn’t think about any of that. Not when she was in his arms and safe.
Her breathing evened out quickly, sleep claiming her. Zeke laid there and listened to her, hoping she never left him again.
He would never let her leave him again, if he had a choice. But his career had taught him not everyone had a choice.
Nina woke early,when the softest glow outside was barely visible around the room darkening curtains and Zeke was still sound asleep. She wasn’t sure what woke her, but after years of sleeping all day and being awake all night, she was not surprised she was awake so early.
She slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom, then crawled back in next to Zeke. He reached for her when she laid down, pulling her in close like he’d done the morning before. Nina sighed happily, loving the touch of his skin.
