“That’s really sweet.” She tucks her chin as she goes into the bathroom, but I don’t miss the blush on her cheeks.
After a few moments, I hear her get into the tub, and I go in search of some clothes. Pulling out one of my old swim team shirts, I make sure it smells clean and then grab a pair of shorts that tie at the waist. They will be huge on her, but at least she won’t have to sleep naked.
I close my eyes tight. The thought of her naked in my bed makes my cock ache. Every time she touches me or moves in my lap, it’s all I can do not to groan with need. But I keep telling myself that I can’t touch her, not right now. She’s been through something awful, and I need to give her some space.
I hear something and open my eyes, searching for the sound. When it happens again, I go over to the bathroom door and listen closely. Carrie lets out a sound that can only be her crying.
“Carrie?” I knock on the door gently, but it takes her a second to respond.
“I’m okay,” she says softly, but I can tell by the sound of her voice she’s trying to pretend she’s fine.
“I’m coming in,” I say, not really thinking through what I’m about to do but knowing that I have to do something.
When I open the door, I see her sitting in the tub with her knees pulled close to her chest and bubbles all around her.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I’m crying.” She wipes away her tears, and I’m in motion.
Grabbing the stool from next to the tub, I sit down and grab a washcloth and some of the body wash.
“You’re crying because you went through something scary, and now that the adrenaline is wearing off, you’re going to crash.” Dipping the cloth in the hot water, I bring it up and rub it across her smooth back. “It’s okay to cry.”
She lets out a small laugh as she wipes away her tears. “How is it that I feel better the moment I’m with you?”
“Because this is where you’re supposed to be.” The words are out of my mouth before I can think them through, but they’re the truth. There’s nowhere else she belongs but by my side.
“Shy.” She turns her body so that she can face me.
“I’ve thought for a long time I wasn’t good enough to have you.” I shake my head. “But in truth, it was easier to think that than to think of you not wanting to be with me.”
“How could you possibly think that?”
Leaning forward, I cup her cheek, and she closes her eyes at my touch. “My whole life, no one has wanted me.” When her eyes open and they meet mine, I can’t help but confess what’s in my heart. “But I’m tired of missing out on things because I was afraid to take what I wanted.”
“And what do you want?” She swallows hard, and then her lips part.
“I think you know exactly what I’m after.”
Without hesitating, I lean down and press my lips to hers.
Chapter Five
Carrie
I wrap my arms around Shy and kiss him right back. How many times have I wondered what it would be like if he kissed me? Shy can be so hard to read at times that it’s made my fantasies all over the place about him. But mostly that he’d take what he wanted, leaving his mark behind. God knows he’s left his mark on me already without so much as a kiss.
I dreamed he’d be sweet and soft, taking his time, and his mouth would explore every inch of my skin until I begged for him to take me. That he would touch parts of me that I didn’t know existed until he was there.
I think he has so many sides to him, and I want them all. With how today has been, I find myself clinging to him, wanting everything right now.
When his tongue swipes across the seam of my lips, I part them for him. The second I do, he wastes no time deepening the kiss. I don’t either as I meet his tongue with mine and moan into his mouth. He gives me what I’m silently asking for as he makes the kiss gentle but claiming. Muscles strain under my fingers, and I know he’s fighting for control, and it’s hard to believe that I’m doing this to him.
“Carrie,” he groans against my mouth. I dig my fingers into his shirt, scared he’s about to pull away. He almost does but changes his mind. “Fuck it,” is all he says before his mouth is back on mine again, this time so much wilder than before.
The kiss is different, and I want to call it needy because that’s all I can feel right now. There’s so much pent up inside me that needs to be released. It’s been trapped away for far too long, and my body is desperate.
“Don’t stop,” I beg. Shy and his kiss are the only things keeping me together right now.
Everything else is forgotten when his mouth is on mine and it’s only the two of us on this earth. When I try to pull him closer, his fingers grip my back, and I suddenly remember I’m still in his bathtub completely naked.
“Enough of this,” he tells me, and for half a second I think he’s going to stop, but instead he pulls me right out of the tub.
Water sloshes over the sides and all over him as I wrap my legs around his waist and he carries me out of the bathroom. When he lays me down on the bed, I arch against it.
“I'm wet,” I say, not wanting to drench his sheets.
“That’s the point.” A bubble of laughter escapes from me as his big body comes over the top of mine. “I imagined you moaning when you were under me, but I’ll take laughing too. As long as you’re not crying.”
“Then make me moan.” I have no idea where this courage comes from, but Shy makes me feel powerful.
I’ve been afraid to go for what I’ve wanted since the moment I met him. Shy’s also had some crazy reason he’s been holding back with me as well. Now that I know that he’s wanted me all this time, I’m going with it. In the morning, my insecurities might come back, but Shy will know I want him.
“There is no going back, kitten. I tried to stay away, but it’s clear you need someone to take care of you.”
Others might find his words condescending or rude. I’m an adult, and I should tell him I can take care of myself, but I love his words. If I wasn’t so turned on, I’d probably burst into tears. I’ve been taken care of monetarily by my parents but never really more than that. Even during my childhood, most of the care was done by the live-in nanny they paid for.
“I don’t want to go back,” I admit. Something flashes in Shy’s eyes, and I know my words have sealed my fate. I belong to him now.
Shy’s mouth comes back down onto mine, devouring me. He breaks the kiss when I tug on his shirt, letting him know I want it off. I need his skin pressed against me. He lifts up onto his knees between my legs, giving me what I want and taking it off. When he tosses it away, I stare up at his bare chest.
“Wow,” I breathe as my fingers trace the lines on his abs. All eight of them.
Shy’s always been in great shape. He got a full ride to college for swimming and is captain of the team. He has no clue that I go to all his meets and even flew out to watch him take home the championship last year. I know what he looks like without a shirt on, but being this close is different. I hate the sudden insecurity that hits me.