VICTORIOUS (A Quantum Novel)(36)

“How’d she take it?”

“She totally understands.”

“You could, if you wanted to, that is, send an email to Mr. Poole tonight to officially close that circle.”

“Is that your way of saying you’re glad I’m not going back?”

He props his hands on the counter, on either side of my hips. “I’m glad you made a decision you’re comfortable with, and selfish bastard that I am, I’m thrilled you’ll be coming home to LA with me, moving in permanently and sleeping next to me every night.”

Looping my hands around his neck, I say, “I’m thrilled about those things, too.”

“Yeah?”

I bite my bottom lip and nod, watching his eyes home in on the movement of my mouth.

“Are we really going to London?”

“Uh-huh.”

“So why are we going back to LA tomorrow when London is in the opposite direction?”

“Oscar nominees’ luncheon is Monday, and the nominees’ party is Monday night.” He’s still staring at my mouth. “I was on my best behavior all afternoon with the kids. I think you owe me some thanks for that.”

“I owe you?”

“Uh-huh.” He swoops in and captures my mouth in a kiss full of hours’ worth of pent-up desire. His arms band around me as he explores every corner of my mouth with his tongue. I’m left reeling when he ends the kiss as suddenly as he began it. “Food first. More of that later. Steak? Yes?”

“I’m expected to function after that?”

A satisfied smile stretches across his face. “I’m expecting a lot of functioning tonight.” Another kiss has me clinging to him, but he pulls away before we lose control again. “Food. Now. Steak?”

“Mmm, okay.”

“Stop trying to manipulate our agenda by looking at me that way.”

“What way am I looking at you?”

“You know damned well what you’re doing to me.” He takes my hand and pushes it against the hard column of his erection. “Any questions?”

I squeeze him. “That feels uncomfortable.”

“Tormenting your Dom, sweetheart? Are you trying to top from the bottom? Because that could get you a very sore ass later.”

I’m almost ashamed by how aroused I am at the thought of him spanking me.

“Don’t do that.”

“What did I do?”

“Look away in shame because you like the idea of being spanked. Don’t ever be ashamed of the things you want. And don’t ever hold back from telling me what you want.”

“It might take some time before I feel comfortable asking for those things.”

“We’ll get there, love.” He kisses me. “All in good time.”

“What did you mean when you said ‘top from the bottom’?”

“That’s a Dom/sub thing when the sub tries to take control of the Dom. I don’t recommend it, my sweet.”

He attempts a stern face, but his eyes twinkle with pleasure and delight. He’s happy to be able to speak freely about these things, and that makes me happy, too.

“Tonight, I want to see your eyes, Nat, without the contacts. Will you give me that?”

“Yes,” I whisper.

He kisses me again and then withdraws his phone to place the food order. It arrives a short time later, and we eat in silence, the anticipation building with every minute that goes by. I’m almost too nervous and excited to eat. But knowing I need the fuel, I consume half of my dinner without tasting much of anything before pushing the rest across the table to him.

He eats all of his and half of mine.

Apparently, I’m the only one too nervous to eat much.

After we do the dishes, Flynn says he wants to take a shower. “I’ll be quick so you can use the bathroom.”

I refill my wineglass and take advantage of the alone time to get my head together and calm down. No matter what happens tonight, it’s still Flynn and me and no one else. There’s nothing to worry about. I already know I’ll probably love everything he does to me, even if the context has changed.

He comes out fifteen minutes later, his hair damp, his face freshly shaven, a towel wrapped around his waist. “All yours.”

I swallow the last of my wine and turn to him. “Thanks.” I feel his eyes on me as I walk into the bedroom and then the bathroom, which is lit by candles. He has filled the tub for me, and I’m touched by the thoughtful gesture. He knows how much I love that tub. As I remove my clothes and put up my hair to keep it dry, my hands tremble ever so slightly. I have twenty minutes until our “appointment.” I spend half of those minutes in the tub, soaking in the warm water, trying to relax. I shave my legs and then contemplate the hair between my legs. Part of Flynn’s fantasy was to shave me there. Does he want to do it himself, or would he mind if I do it?