“I should…get dressed.”
He turned, his eyes drinking in her figure again. “Why?”
She tugged the hem of her camisole again, but it was short, stopping just below her waist. Even if she tugged it lower, it still wouldn’t cover what she wanted it to cover.
“Because I’m not dressed,” she said, reaching down when Xena bounced over, nudging her hand for attention.
“It’s Sunday morning, Sage. Are you planning to head out into the world in the next half hour?”
She glanced at the clock. It was only eight o’clock! Scratching at her calf with the other bare foot, she reached for Xena. The sweet dog licked her cheek, making Sage grin.
“Xena and Minx think that you look great just the way you are.” He flipped a pancake. “And personally, I love that I can see your nipples through that tiny bit of a top.” He ended with a sexy wink, but Sage missed that gesture because she was looking down at herself. Sure enough, her nipples formed very obvious points under the thin material.
“I’ll be right back,” she told him, rushing back into her bedroom. She grabbed an old sweatshirt, pulling it on over her head, then a pair of leggings. She tripped a few times, trying to avoid Minx who valiantly attempted to help.
“Little one, you’re going to get hurt if you keep doing that,” she said, scooping him up and kissing his nose. Minx snuggled in for more attention. Apparently, this little boy loved being carried. Which was fine with Sage because she had so much love to give! It had been bottled up inside of her for so long.
Yes, that was probably why she’d reacted so intensely to Arik’s lovemaking. She’d been starved for attention. She was better now. She didn’t need more. She couldn’t ask Arik to make love to her again this morning.
Despite her whole body craving just that!
Walking back out, she knelt and let Minx run down the hallway, smiling at his exuberance.
“You didn’t need to make me breakfast,” she said, stepping back into the kitchen.
“You looked hungry,” he replied, turning to put a giant stack of pancakes on the table. “Sit. Eat. I’ll get the orange juice.”
Sage took two pancakes off of the giant stack, her mouth watering. She grabbed two sausages, smiling as she wondered if he knew that the sausages were made with tofu. She didn’t like pork sausage. It was just too greasy. But these were delicious! She sliced off a bite and put it in her mouth, savoring the wonderful spices.
“I don’t know how you eat that stuff,” he grumbled, sitting down opposite her. “Tofu isn’t fit for humans.” But he took several of the sausage links anyway. He did it with a sneer though.
“I think they’re amazing!” she laughed, thrilled that he was still here, but not wanting to get used to his company. He’d be gone after breakfast and she’d be alone. Again.
Then she glanced down at Minx and Xena. The dogs were so completely different, and yet Minx had taken up his favorite spot between Xena’s front legs.
“Who do you think is the alpha in that relationship?” she asked, pointing her fork towards the adorable canines.
Arik glanced over at the two, shaking his head. “I’m guessing that Minx is the alpha, but only because Xena allows him to be.”
She laughed, nodding her head. “I agree.”
She turned and started cutting her pancakes up into smaller bites, relieved to have the dogs to talk about. No awkward conversations here! She could relax and…!
Unfortunately, Arik wasn’t the kind who would ignore tense issues. He wanted them right there, out in the open.
“So about last night,” he started off. “Would you please explain why you thought I was going to leave in the middle of such an incredible experience?”
Sage froze, her mind blanked, and her tongue caught between her teeth.
He waited patiently, looking at her across the table. Those dark eyes of his didn’t relent, didn’t hesitate. He wanted answers!
“I just…” she stammered, putting her fork down before she dropped it. Hiding her suddenly shaking hands under the table, she bowed her head as shame washed over her. “I just…I thought that…well…”
“Who made you ashamed of your desires, Sage?” he asked, his voice soft and gentle.
“I’m not a very sexual person,” she whispered.
“Yes. You are,” he said, then stood and came around the table to kneel beside her. Taking her hands, he looked into her eyes. “You are a sexual person.” His fingers tightened around her hands when she tried to pull away. “And you are beautiful Sage. It was stunning to see! Looking into your eyes last night, feeling the way that you enjoyed what I did to you…” he stopped, shaking his head. “It was hot! Beautiful!”
She opened her mouth to reply, but the words didn’t come. She couldn’t speak. He thought…he liked…?
“Yes,” he replied to her unspoken question. “I liked it.” He laughed softly. “Hell, I loved it! I was having a hard time holding back, because I was so turned on when you moved like that. Or when you made those sounds! It was incredible!”
She licked her lips, glancing over his shoulder at the dogs. But they were laying down now, just watching them. Neither Minx nor Xena had answers for her.
When she looked back down at him, she saw the sincerity in his eyes. “You didn’t think…” she stopped, her shame choking off her words. “You didn’t think I was…wanton?”
Arik’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wanton? Hell yes!” She tried again to pull her hands away.
