It took discipline to stay relaxed. He kept rocking her. Running his hand down the back of her scalp to soothe her while he considered what to say. He didn’t want her to ever blame the other members for what she would have to suffer on their behalf. Already she resented the club. He hadn’t expected that.
She had never indicated that she would blame them, even knowing that one of his psychic gifts was to take on the rage of his brothers and sisters so they could better function. He’d been doing it since he was a little kid, and it was automatic now. He doubted he could stop even if he wanted to.
He sighed and brushed his lips gently over her ear. “I know it has to be difficult to know that you’re the one who will ultimately be suffering for them …”
“No, Savage. You suffer for them. I take on pain for you. I do that for you, and I choose to do it. It’s my choice, just as it’s your choice what you do for them. I’m just asking you if I should be stepping in front of you.”
“Now you’re just throwing shit out there to make an argument that doesn’t even make sense, Seychelle, and you know it. Don’t do that. We have so much real shit to work through, we don’t need made-up issues. I’ll do my best to make it easy on you when you want to go places. One of the prospects will go if I can’t. Either Glitch or Hyde. If things are dicey, and I ask you to stay home, I’ll expect that you will. You have to trust me. I don’t want to have to explain myself. My woman should trust me.”
“But that should go both ways, Savage. I shouldn’t have to explain myself.”
He hated when she fucking had a good point. “Take your bath and remember to use those salt crystals. After, you need the lotion. We’ll go easy for the next couple of days to let you heal.”
She needed time they didn’t have to come to terms with their relationship. He needed time they didn’t have to figure out how to give her the things she needed and deserved when he didn’t have a clue what he was doing.
Seychelle dressed in her favorite vintage blue jeans, grateful she could wear them. Two days had already gone by, and her bottom wasn’t sore at all. Okay, maybe a twinge now and then, but the lotion and salt baths did a world of good. That, and although at the time of the punishment it had felt as if she would have marks forever, Savage had made certain she wasn’t really wearing more than a few handprints and a couple of raised stripes that went away almost immediately.
At night Savage hadn’t really touched her other than to kiss her and wind his body around hers. Truthfully, she hadn’t liked that very much. In fact, she was over it, but she knew he was deliberately trying to give her space. She’d been the one to ask for it. Now she didn’t know what to do to get him to resume their very active sex life. She needed it as much as he did.
Savage had brought her back to his gorgeous home. She knew he wanted her to start to become comfortable in it, and she was determined that she would. She did love the master bathroom. She’d never seen anything more beautiful. She loved taking baths, and the grotto called to her. The tub filled fast and the water was hot and steamy. She had to be careful not to spend half the day there.
The house wasn’t that much farther for her to drive into Sea Haven if she wanted to make her visits to her older friends. The list of the elderly she checked on was growing. Word had gotten out that she would look over their medication and ensure they had their groceries. She also thought, because Savage often did repairs, she was welcome in more homes. She didn’t mind. It was important that someone look after the seniors in town.
Seychelle pulled on a T-shirt and soft sweater, found a pair of boots and went into the kitchen for coffee. The house seemed huge at first, but once she managed the layout, she realized it was the high ceilings and open floor plan that gave the illusion of space. The coffee was freshly made and very hot, just the way she liked it. Savage had put out a teapot and tea, but she put the coffee in a to-go mug. She had things to do, and she’d slept in and then spent too much time in the bathtub. She loved that tub.
She knew Savage would be outside in the courtyard off the master bedroom, practicing with his whips. He had told her it was imperative he practice every day. She hadn’t wanted to come back to the house because she hadn’t wanted to face the fact that just seeing him handle the whips was such a turn-on for her. That part of her had been difficult for her to confront. It still was. Maybe she never would come to terms with it.