Chapter Ten

Caden fought hard to keep from smiling because he could see every emotion on her face. She was so readable, it would be easy to deal with her. She'd never get away with lying to him. The fact that her little nipples were poking through her t-shirt, and she kept pressing her legs together to alleviate the piercing achiness told him about her attraction and desire for him.

"Let's make sandwiches for lunch."

When she didn't move, he grasped her upper arm. He'd drag or carry her if that was what it took to get her where he wanted her.

They talked about everyday things as they ate their lunch, and he was pleased that she liked a lot of things he did. He found the more he learned about her, the more possessive he became.

When they finished cleaning up the kitchen, he held out his hand. "Let's go take a nap."

Her mouth dropped open. "A nap? I've never taken a nap."

"As hard as you worked, you didn't have the time, but we do have a few hours before we need to get ready for tonight. I can see you're still tired."

She reached for his hand, which pleased him, and he pulled her down the hallway to the bedroom.

"How about you use the bathroom if you need to and brush your teeth?" he said as he closed the curtains to make the room dark enough for them to sleep.

"My teeth?" she asked.

He glanced over at her when he turned the lamp on the bedside table to be able to see without brightening the room.

"Because I'm going to be kissing you."

He smiled gently when she stood frozen. "Nothing is going to happen until you're ready for it. Now, go."

She turned and walked into the bathroom, and closed the door. While she did that, he grabbed one of his t-shirts for her, undressed, and pulled on some shorts. He usually always slept naked, but he needed to remind himself she was very innocent and he had to slow down until he got a cue from her that she was ready to take the next step.

She walked out of the bathroom. Her eyes ran over him, and then a torrid blush covered her face and chest when she realized he was watching her.

He grinned. "Come here, Sweetheart."

She stood docilely in front of him. He wanted to laugh at the fact that she thought she wasn't a submissive. She was submissive down to her bones, but she'd never had a chance to learn that side of her personality because she'd always taken care of everyone else. Now, she could let her submissive side out because he was there to train and take care of her.

Caden set the shirt he held on the mattress before reaching for hers. Her hands immediately gripped his to prevent them from moving.

"Little sub, let go of my hands."

If anything, she tightened her grip.

"I'm just going to put you in one of my shirts so you're comfortable sleeping."

"But…"

"This is one of those times I'm asking you to trust me. Can you do that for me, Sweetheart?"

She looked up at him and must have seen something because her hands released his.

"Good girl."

He swept the shirt off her and threw it on the chair. She tensed but didn't say anything when he unsnapped her bra and put it with the shirt.

"I'm so proud of you," he said as he pulled on his shirt. He smiled when he took a step back. She could wear it like a dress, it was so big on her.

Next, he pulled off her shoes, socks, and jeans. He really wanted to take her panties off, but he didn't want to push her anymore then, and the thought of her naked cunt against him would drive him crazy. Oh, he knew it would only take one tug from him for them to disintegrate, but it helped, nonetheless.

He lifted the blanket. "Hop in. I'll be right back."

"Are we going to sleep together?" she asked.

"Yes. From now on, we won't spend a night away from each other. Are you good with that?"

She nodded and climbed onto the mattress. He tucked her in. "I'll be right back."

He walked into the bathroom, aware that her eyes followed him. After taking a piss and brushing his teeth, he walked out of the bathroom and over to the bed, sliding in next to her.

He pulled her into his arms and wrapped an arm around her back. Her head fit perfectly in the notch of his shoulder, and one of her legs was pressed against his.

He tipped her head up with a finger under her chin. "Now, I get a kiss."

Caden watched her expression carefully as their lips met. He never understood it when men talked about their first kiss and how every cell in their body heated and the world around them receded when they met "the one."

Now, he knew what they were talking about. He didn't know if he'd be able to take his attention off Bella now, even if the place was on fire.

When she gasped to take in air, his tongue swept in and showed her how he liked her to kiss. It boggled his mind that everything sexual they did together would be her first time. He was working with a blank sheet so she would have no other man's touch in her mind, just his.

He lifted his head and stared down at her. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were wet and puffy. It felt like his world tilted, and his breath caught in his lungs. By damn, she was the prettiest woman he'd ever seen, and the more time he spent with her, the more he liked her.

The word "love" kept circling in his mind. He knew it was too soon to think like that, but he knew he'd be falling in love with her sooner rather than later. The fact that the idea didn't freak him out told him she was the woman he'd been waiting for.

He cupped her face. "Open your eyes, Sweetheart."

He was charmed when she blinked several times before she focused on him. He also caught the red tint on her face—some from desire and some from embarrassment.

Caden pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "I think we should stop. I don't want to test my strength when it comes to you. The last thing I want to do is scare you away. So, let's get some sleep. There is plenty of time for the loving." He waited until her breathing calmed, and she nodded before turning her on her side and wrapping his much larger one around hers.

Before he closed his eyes, he pressed his lips against the back of her head and inhaled her scent. Damn, even her scent drove him crazy. He heard her breathing even out and deepen before he gave into his own sleep.