It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(84)

My gaze moves over her bare face. It reminds me of the picture she sent me all those months ago, but seeing her like this in the flesh—so natural, so vulnerable in front of me in her robe, in her home—it’s fucking making me realize that maybe this attraction started subtly, but it doesn’t feel subtle anymore.

It feels consuming.

“Trust me, Dilynne. I’m aware of how intelligent you are.”

“Is that so?”

Dipping my head down, I brush my lips against her neck. “Fuck yes. You blow me away with your wit and drive.”

“Have you been drinking?” she asks through a chuckle.

“No. Why?”

“ These compliments. I feel like they’re coming from out of left field.” And then she hums. “Oh, I know what it is. You got laid, and now some of the anger has left your body.”

I stand tall again to meet her eyes. “Is there some truth to that? Maybe. After all, last night was the first time I’ve had sex in over a year.”

Her throat bobs as she swallows. “I know.”

“So, here’s my question to you. Would you like to eat first? Or would you like me to eat your pussy first, and dinner after?”

Those dark brown eyes of hers grow even darker. “I was uh…” She clears her throat. “I was just about to take a bath, actually.”

My smirk takes on a mind of its own. “No problem. I can make you come in the bath, too.”

Taking her hand, I lead her down the hallway and into the bathroom.

“Elliot…”

Spinning around, I pull her back into my chest. “Do you want this?”

“Yes,” she says breathlessly, with no hesitation.

“Then get naked, Dilynne, and stop questioning it.”

I kick off my shoes and start to strip out of my shirt and slacks in front of her, watching as her chest starts to rise and fall more rapidly.

She waits until I’m down to just my boxer briefs before she unties her robe and pushes it from her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, revealing her completely naked body that was hiding underneath.

I reach down and push my underwear off, wrapping my hand around my cock and stroking myself while I admire her. “Fuck, Dilynne.”

Stepping into her again, I let her feel how hard I am between us as I cup her face. “Tell me what you’re thinking…”

“I’m thinking that I never thought I’d be doing this with you.”

“ What? Bathing?”

“Yes, and also…”

“Sex?” I clarify as she nods. “Yeah, well, we’ve been doing a lot of things together we never thought we would.”

She rolls her eyes. “You know, with any other man, I don’t feel this out of sorts, okay? I’m normally very confident sexually, especially when I know the relationship is transactional. You should know that.”

I lift my brows. “Is that so?”

“Yes. But for some reason, being naked with you is making me feel…” Her eyes dart to the side. “I don’t know…”

I tip her chin back so she’s facing me again. “You have nothing to feel insecure about, and this sure as fuck isn’t transactional.” My thumb brushes her jaw. “We’re two consenting adults, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then don’t overthink this. Just enjoy it.” My lips cover hers, swallowing her moan that makes my cock twitch.

“Okay,” she breathes out when we part.

“Good. Now come on, before the water gets cold.” I lead her over to the bathtub and help her step inside first before following her. The water is so hot that I’m wondering if she sourced her water from the core of the earth. “Jesus Christ, woman. Did you get this water from a volcano?”

“Baths are supposed to be hot, Elliot,” she says, motioning for me to sit down first. It takes me several minutes to acclimate to the water, but once I do, Dilynne rests between my legs, her back against my chest. Despite the heat of the water and the initial shock to my system, my dick is still rock-hard between us.

“I’ve gotta say, I don’t think I’ve ever shared a bath with a man before. Baths are usually my sacred alone time, my one guilty pleasure.”

“ I remember you telling me that, so just know that I’m honored to be your first.” She huffs out a laugh, but something resonates with me. “So, you never shared a bath before? Not even with Vinnie?” The mention of his name makes her shoulders tense.

“No.” Her reply is short and simple, as expected. But tonight, I want more from her.

I wait a few minutes before I ask, “Why do you think your relationship didn’t work?”

She glances back at me with a pinch in her brow. “Where is this coming from?”

“I’m just trying to understand you better, Dilynne.”

“Why?”

“Because I think part of our issue over the years is that we haven’t even tried to understand each other. So, I want to change that.”

She sighs. “Trust me, there’s more to it than that.”

“Care to elaborate then?” I run my hands down her arms, loving how silky her skin feels under the water. I’m in one of the most intimate positions with her right now, and even though my cock is hard as a rock and ready to please her, I think back to Rhonan’s advice. Baby steps.