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And if Erica doesn't agree... Well, I'll just have to bend her to my will there, too.

Satisfied with the solution, I move onto the next dilemma.

How the hell am I going to get off her?

She stirs beneath me, a soft, sleepy sigh, and I know I have to move.

I’m not a small man, and she’s a very small woman.

Bracing myself on my forearms, I pull out of her slowly, to some protest.

A long, lazy groan escapes her, as I finally stir enough to roll off her, but I don't let her go. I pull her with me, settling her against my side.

She doesn't object at all.

Mostly because she's physically incapable of it.

She's pliant, boneless, a beautiful, sated creature who's completely, utterly molded to my side. Her head rests on my chest, her arm draped over my stomach, her leg tangled with mine.

I feel her soft, even breaths against my skin, and I know she's close to drifting off.

"Not yet," I murmur huskily.

"Mmmm," she hums in sleepy protest, snuggling deeper into my embrace. "Tired."

"I know," I say, my fingers stroking her hair. "But we need to get you cleaned up."

She makes a soft, grumbling sound, a little growl of protest that's more adorable than intimidating. "Don't wanna."

The corner of my mouth lifts in a smile. She's like a kitten, all soft and sleepy and a little bit grumpy when her nap is disturbed.

"Too bad," I say, my voice firm but gentle. "You're not going to sleep covered in me."

One of her eyes opens and pins me with a coy look.

"Shouldn't I be the one to decide that? Maybe I like being covered in Sir." The word is a soft, sleepy purr.

I can't help but chuckle. My innocent virgin is a quick study.

Troublemaker.

"Nice try," I say, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. "But when it comes to your care and well-being, I'm in charge. And I say we're getting cleaned up."

I test out my strength by lifting an arm off the bed and letting it drop.

"As soon as I can find the muscles in my body again," I add, still pretty much dead weight.

"Found them," she murmurs, as she snuggles into my side. "Very nice."

I chuckle again, the sound a deep, contented rumble in my chest.

I like this.

I like the easy banter, the sleepy intimacy, the feeling of her curled up against me, warm and soft and trusting.

It feels... right.

I don't know how long we lie there, a tangle of limbs in the dark and quiet room, in the very early hours of the morning.