Page 69 of No Going Back

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“Guy! You frightened the living daylights out of me! What are you doing here?” Maddie almost sank to her knees in relief.

He switched the main light on and strode over to her. “I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you all right?”

“Startle me? You scared me half to death. I’m fine. What are you doing here?”

“Making good on my promise.”

“What… You mean the surprise? At this time of night?” The man was clearly several sandwiches short of a picnic.

“End of a long, busy day, I figured you could do with a little pampering. Come with me, pet.”

Before she could protest, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bathroom. She gasped. The bath was already full of bubbles, steam rising gently and bringing with it a subtle floral scent. To enhance the romantic atmosphere, a dozen large candles, flames flickering gently, were dotted around.

Guy let her stand, but still held her close. “Let me get the light, then we’ll start.”

With the light switched off, the atmosphere of intimacy changed the mood between them to one of Master and submissive. Without conscious thought, Maddie assumed her standing presentation position—eyes lowered, hands clasped at the base of her spine, feet shoulder-width apart.

“Hard work should always be rewarded. I know you’re tired, but you need to unwind before you go to bed. Let me take care of you.”

“Thank you, Sire. What do you need me to do?”

“Absolutely nothing. Take it easy, and let me do my thing.”

And he’d always been so good at his thing. Maddie stood while her clothes melted away beneath his touch, and when she was naked, he picked her up again and lowered her into the bath. The water was delicious, and exactly the right temperature to comfort her aching body. Regular yoga sessions still warded off the worst parts of getting old, but they met their match on a day like today.

Her soft moan of pure pleasure acted as a release valve for the tension that had accumulated during the day. Eyes closed, she gave a second moan when Guy took the sponge and squeezed water over her shoulders and chest. As her discomfort was soothed away, she opened her eyes again, and drank in the dearest sight she could ever imagine.

“Your sleeves are wet.” Even though he’d rolled them up, they’d still been soaked when he’d set her down in the water.

“Doesn’t matter. It’s only a shirt. World’s not going to end if I have to wear a wet shirt for a few minutes.”

Even though she was stone-cold sober, Maddie gave a slightly tipsy giggle. “Now there’s a thought—you in a wet t-shirt.”

“Not happening. Besides, I’d rather see you in one.”

She was about to make a disparaging observation about not having a great body when she caught Guy’s expression and the warning in it. Instead she smiled and laid her palm on his forearm as he worked, enjoying the way his muscles flexed. She loved his body. She loved him. “Maybe I’ll surprise you one day.”

Exhaustion seeped from her limbs into every cell in her body. She fought to keep her eyes open, only to fail as Guy made some comment about bed. He helped her out of the tub, dried her with a thick, warm, cloud-soft towel, and then carried her to the bedroom.

“I haven’t been tucked into bed since I was a child,” she murmured, as Guy draped the duvet over her. “Are you staying tonight?”

“I wasn’t going to. You need to get some sleep.” He touched his lips to her cheek.

“I always sleep better with you here.”

“Me, too, pet,” he replied, stroking the spot he’d just kissed with his thumb. “I think we need to have a talk soon about making the arrangement permanent.”

Now she knew she was asleep. Or delirious. It almost sounded as if Guy was asking her to move in with him. That would be a dream-come-true, and her dreams never came true. Besides, Maddie was happy enough with what they had. Asking for more would be greedy. She snuggled under the duvet. “That would be nice.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“So are you going to stay? I won’t tell if you won’t.”

“Since you ask so nicely. Give me a minute.”

He needed five, and when he joined her, Maddie turned over and rolled straight into his arms. “The perfect end to a long day.”