Page 73 of Untamed
That makes two of us. But I feel like mine is slightly more warranted. “You were surprised to walk in while I was taking a bath andfind me naked?”
Ruth scoffs. “I didn’t know you were taking a bath. You weren’t making any noise.” She almost sounds angry with me now. “I thought you were hurt or something. I came to tell you dinner was ready, and when you didn’t respond, I started to get a little freaked out.”
I bring a hand to my chest, rubbing at the ache there. It's not unpleasant, but it is unusual. “You made me dinner?”
“Well…” Ruth turns to peek my way, eyes once again locking on my dick before she quickly averts her gaze. “Yes, I made dinner. And why are you still naked?”
“That was awful nice of you, and because you’re blocking the towels.” I move closer to where she stands, lowering my voice. “If you want me to stay naked, all you have to do is say so.”
The sound she makes is adorable. A mix of outrage and embarrassment as she rips one of the plush terrycloth towels off the rod and tosses it over a shoulder in my general direction. “I didn’t know I was blocking the towels. I’ve never been in this room before.”
“You’re welcome to come in here anytime you want, Ruthless.” Wrapping the towel around my waist to confine the part of me eager for more of Ruth’s attention, I risk stepping even closer. “Especially when I’m naked in the tub.”
I’ve never taken a bath with a woman. Now that I think about it, my interactions with women have been limited to a pretty small group of acts. I’ve never gone out to dinner with a woman. Never cuddled on the couch to watch television. Never kept one in my bed after the sun came up.
But Ruth is leaving in a couple weeks, so I feel safe crossing a few of those boundaries with her. It might be the only way I ever experience what it’s like to be in love. Have someone love me back.
Ruth peeks over her shoulder at me again, looking a little relieved when she sees the towel at my waist. Her eyes still lingeron the area as she slowly turns to face me. “Are you naked in the tub often?”
One side of my mouth curves up. “I can be.”
Ruth rolls her eyes, huffing out a breath. “You need to get dressed. At least put some pants on.” She motions in the general direction of my crotch. “Get that monster under wraps.”
“Monster?” I grin. “Flattery will get you everywhere with me, Ruthless.”
“Oh my God.” She brings both hands to her head. “I cannot with you right now.” The smile on her face belies the anger she’s trying to fake. “Just get dressed and come eat.”
I watch as Ruth leaves my room, her steps quick.
My chest puffs when she sneaks a peek back at me before reaching the hall. I think Ruthless might have been a little impressed with what she just witnessed. It makes me want to push the envelope. Just a little. See where it gets me. I like seeing her flushed and flustered. Out of sorts.
I like knowing I’m the one who does it to her.
So instead of getting fully dressed, I trade my towel for a pair of gray sweatpants. Skipping a shirt and boxers since it’s just me and her, I rub the towel over my hair before making my way down to the first floor to find Ruth serving up pasta.
“I hope you don’t mind that I dug through your fridge and cabinets.” She twists her lips, looking uncertain. “It was just getting late, and I was starting to get hungry and figured you would be hungry when you got home too?—”
“I told you, you’re more than welcome to use anything in this house any way you see fit.” I come to stand next to her, invading her space just a little. “Remember?”
She bobs her head in a nod, eyes flicking to my bare chest as she rasps out, “I remember.” After adding a piece of garlic bread to each plate, she steps around me, carrying our dinner to the breakfast room. “I just don’t want you to feel like I’m takingeverything over.” Her eyes dip as she peeks my way again, this time in the direction of my lower half. “I’ve been told I have a tendency to be bossy and controlling.”
I don’t know that I would use those two words to describe Ruth, but I can see how an insecure man might. “By who?”
She sets her plates down, brushing my question off with a lift of her shoulder. “No one who matters.”
He obviously does matter, or she wouldn’t be repeating what he accused, but I’m not going to push the matter. Not tonight.
Pulling out a chair, I tip my head at her. “Sit.”
“I’ll sit just as soon as I get us drinks.” She starts to turn, fully believing I’m going to let her serve me.
I manage to catch her around the waist, my hand spanning across her belly as I pull her back against my front. Leaning into her ear, I keep my voice low when I say, “You made dinner. Sit and enjoy it while it’s hot.”
I don’t generally go around telling people what to do—not even my staff. That’s what I have a foreman for. And if Ruth really wanted to get us drinks, she could. But that’s not what she wants. She wants to eat a hot meal without a toddler stealing half of it, and I’m going to make sure that happens.
But Ruth doesn’t make any move to sit down. It’s almost like she’s frozen, her body completely still where it’s pressed against mine.
I inhale deeply against her dark hair, breathing the scent of her into my lungs. “Thank you for dinner.” I swallow hard before forcing out. “And for this afternoon.”
