Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine

“What time is it?” Brianna’s sleepy voice jerked Rafe awake.

What the hell? He’d fallen asleep, in the club no less. That had never happened before. “I’m not sure.” He glanced around the club. Several couples milled around, and a few were in scenes.

“Hey, Zeke,” Rafe called, seeing him. “What time is it?”

“Almost two.”

“Thanks.”

“Two?” Brianna sat up in his arms.

“Easy, sweetheart.” Rafe made sure the blanket stayed over her chest. “We both fell asleep.”

“The last thing I remember was floating on a fluffy cloud and you holding me.”

“You went into subspace. Ready to go home?”

“Yes, please.” She started to scoot off his lap, but Rafe stopped her.

“Let me help you.” He stood with her in his arms, then set her on her feet. She swayed for a moment.

“Whoa.” She gripped his forearms.

“Dizzy?”

“A little, but it’s gone now.”

“Okay, let me secure the blanket around you.”

“What?” She glanced down. “I’m naked.” Her voice rose.

“You still have your thong on. Remember?”

She blinked. “Yes, it’s starting to come back.” Her cheeks turned pink.

Rafe secured the blanket around her and removed the second one. It was a good thing Max had large blankets.

“Okay, let’s grab my bag, then we’ll get changed.”

Keeping his arm around her waist, he guided her to the bar area. “Sit here.” He ushered her onto the stool before he dropped the blanket in the hamper and grabbed his bag. When he returned, she was almost falling off the stool.

“I got you.” He scooped her up.

“I don’t know why I’m so weak.”

“You’re not weak; you’re just extremely relaxed. It’s part of going into subspace. It’s going to take a while to wear off,” Kaley said from behind the bar.

Brianna glanced at her. “But I went to sleep.”

Kaley grinned. “Your body is still coping with all the endorphins. Trust me. It will take a while.” Kaley looked at him. “Get Max to override the locker and get her things. I can watch her while you change.”

“Thanks, Kaley.” He’d wondered how he was going to get Brianna dressed. “Brianna, stay here with Kaley.”

“Okay.” This time, he steered her to one of the sofas. It took him a minute to find Max in his office and get Brianna’s things out of her locker. It only took him a couple of minutes to get ready; all he had to do was pull on a shirt and grab his wallet and keys.

“Max, is it okay if I take the blanket Brianna is wrapped in with me? I’ll wash it and bring it back.”

“Of course.” Max waved his arm.

“Thanks.” Rafe ran out to his vehicle and dropped his bag and Brianna’s inside, before returning to the club and picking Brianna up in his arms. “Have a good night, Kaley.”

Carrying Brianna to his SUV, he placed her in the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt, before closing the door and getting into the driver’s seat. “How are you doing?”

“I’m okay, it’s just…” Her stomach growled. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine. How about I stop and grab some fast food on the way to my house.” Usually he wouldn’t eat this late at night, but he was hungry too. The scene had taken energy reserves out of both of them.

“That would be nice.”

Rafe pulled out of the parking lot and drove down the main road. He turned the heater on low so Brianna wouldn’t get cold.

“Wait a second,” Brianna said.

“Yes.” He glanced at her before returning his attention to the road. Not that there was traffic, but at this time of night, deer or other animals might be out and on the road.

“You said your house.”

“Yes.”

“You’re not taking me home?”

“Sweetheart, you’re not in any shape to be alone tonight, so you’re coming home with me.”

“Bossy,” she muttered.

“In this case, yes.”

She sighed, and he couldn’t suppress a grin. Once they made it to the city limits, he found an open fast-food joint, ordered them both some food, and then drove home. Brianna had been very quiet; she didn’t even say anything when he ordered a burger, fries, and a shake for each of them.

Rafe pulled into the garage and turned off the engine. “Stay here,” he said before climbing out. He grabbed their bags out of the back and then the food and drinks and made his way inside.

After setting the food on the counter, he dropped their bags in his bedroom, put a few things out in the bathroom, and went back to the garage. He picked Brianna up.

“You don’t have to carry me,” she said.

“You don’t have shoes on.”

“I don’t.” She lifted her legs and looked at her feet. “Where are my shoes?”

“You took them off before our scene.” He stopped at the doorway to the house and closed the door leading to the garage. Once inside, he placed her on the sofa and went to get their food.

He plated their burgers and fries, then poured the milkshakes into glasses. He carried everything into the family room where Brianna sat.

“I’m in a blanket.”

“That you are.” Rafe sat the food in her lap and put their shakes on the table. “You didn’t say much when I ordered food, so you can have the chocolate or vanilla shake, whichever you choose.”

“Why am I in a blanket?”

Rafe frowned. “Brianna, what day is it?” He was beginning to get worried.

“Friday, well, Saturday now since it’s after midnight.”

“Good. Tell me what you remember about tonight.”

“We had dinner, went to the club, scened, I went into subspace, you carried me to your SUV, grabbed some food, and brought me to your house.”

His worry began to clear. “Right, now why do you think you’re in a blanket?”

“Because…” She bit her lip, and her face flamed. “I’m semi-nude.” He blew out a breath. “Sorry, I forgot for a minute.” She picked up a fry and popped it into her mouth. “Damn, that’s good.”

Rafe watched as she bit into her burger, groaned, and took another big bite. He’d never seen a woman eat like her. Not that he cared. He liked the way she enjoyed her food even if it was a fast-food burger and fries. She enjoyed everything to the fullest.

She grabbed the vanilla shake. “Why vanilla?”

Brianna took a long sip of her shake and then set it down. “Because chocolate is your favorite.”

How did she know that? They hadn’t been together that long. Who had she been talking to? Not that it mattered to him, but he was curious. They ate in companionable silence. When they were done, Rafe grabbed the empty plates and glasses and carried them into the kitchen before returning to Brianna.

“Bed time.” He held out his hand.

Brianna put her hand in his, and he pulled her to her feet. She swayed for a moment and then was steady. Good. Her balance was back. Rafe led her to his bedroom.

“There are items in the bathroom for you, so go ahead and use the facilities.”

“Thanks.”

Rafe watched her go inside the bathroom and shut the door. He didn’t know what to make of Brianna right now. She was shy but also spunky, yet she left him the chocolate shake, and when he asked her, she said because she knew it was his favorite.

With a shrug, he folded back the covers and waited.

* * * *

Brianna stared at herself in the mirror. “What are you doing?” she asked herself. Her hair was slightly mussed, but still in the braid she’d done earlier tonight. Her cheeks were flushed, and the blanket was still wrapped around her.

Damn. She’d gotten semi-naked in the club, but then remembered how Rafe made sure no one saw her. He’d been very careful when he restrained her to the cross, taking her bra off once she was in place.

The way the cross was set up, her breasts were between the two X’s, and nobody could really see them. Even when they were done, although she was pretty out of it, she’d woken with blankets around her.

Rafe had been thoughtful about her concerns around her nudity, and it warmed her heart. After going to the bathroom, she brushed her teeth with the new toothbrush and toothpaste he’d left out for her.

There was a man’s white t-shirt on the counter, as well. She shook it out. It would do. Undoing the blanket, she slipped the t-shirt over her head. It reached the top of her thighs. Why was she so shy around Rafe? It didn’t make sense.

A yawn reminded her that was a conversation for another day. She folded the blanket and left it on the counter. Rafe was standing by the bed when she opened the door and walked out.

“All yours,” she said, waving her hand at the open doorway.

He nodded. “Go ahead and climb in to stay warm.” He walked past her and closed the door behind him.

Brianna shifted from one foot to the other. She was going to sleep in his bed? She fully expected to be in the guest room, not in his room—and not in his bed. She wasn’t sure how she felt about this. It seemed like a very big step.

Was it that big of a deal? People slept with each other all the time. Brianna took a deep breath and let it out. It had been a while for her, mainly because, after her last relationship, she’d decided dating wasn’t worth the bother.

She placed her hand on the mattress, feeling the soft sheets under her touch. You can do this. Brianna put her knee on the bed and climbed in. She slipped her feet beneath the top sheet and pulled it and the comforter over her body before resting her head on the pillow.

It smelled like Rafe. Probably his aftershave, but the scent was pleasant. She couldn’t exactly pinpoint what the scent was. She shifted into a half-seated position as the bathroom door opened.

Rafe strode out in a pair of boxers. Her mouth watered as her gaze took in his sculpted chest, his trim waist, and… His cock was erect. She closed her eyes. What did she expect? Rafe hadn’t had any pleasure this evening.

The mattress dipped. “Brianna,” he said softly.

“Yes.” She kept her eyes closed.

“Sweetheart, open your eyes and look at me please.”

His request, made in such a tender way, caused her to opened her eyes, and she turned toward him. There was a smile playing around his lips, and there was mischief in his green eyes. “Thank you. Nothing is going to happen tonight.”

“Huh?” What did he say? Her brain didn’t comprehend the words.

“We’re going to go to sleep.”

“Sleep?” Why did she keep repeating what he’s saying. “But…” Her gaze drifted to his groin.

“I’m fine.” He pulled the covers over her lap. “You need to rest after your scene.”

“I could have done that at home.”

“You went into subspace for the first time with me. I want to be close in case you need me.” He reached over and brushed his fingers against her cheek. “Have you gone into subspace before?”

“No.” Was that why she’d felt so loopy earlier. “Was subspace that floaty feeling I had?”

“Probably. I’ve heard others describe it as floating; some say it’s like an out of body experience; some feel nothing at all. Everyone is different.”

“Oh.” She pressed her cheek into his palm. “But you haven’t been satisfied.” While she didn’t think she’d climaxed physically, her mind was completely satisfied, as was her body.

“This isn’t about me.” He shifted. “I received pleasure from watching you. I’m fine.”

“Rafe,” she started.

“This isn’t up for discussion tonight.” He removed his hand from her cheek, turned away, and turned off the light.

It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. “I still don’t think it’s fair to you,” she muttered.

“Come here.” He slid his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to him. “Sleep in my arms, and I’ll be more than happy.”

Brianna snuggled against his warm skin. Her body fit perfectly against his, and her head rested in that area right below his shoulder but above his chest. “Night, Rafe.”

“Night.” He kissed the top of her head.

She laid there, going over the night’s events, until sleep took her. For the first time in a long time, she felt safe and secure.