She hadn’t said a word as he’d dimmed the lights and untied her. But she responded to his kiss, not letting him end it. That was good, he guessed.
Still, he was worried. Had this been too much for her? Her silence and laser focus on him as she walked back in made his chest tighten with apprehension. Lifting her to gently place her back on the bed, he carefully wrapped the warm blanket around her, his heart squeezing when he heard her sigh as she snuggled into it.
These scenes, he knew, were taxing not only physically but emotionally, too. He showed her the energy bar, bags of nuts, and chocolate-covered almonds.
“What’s all this?” she asked.
“Aftercare.”
“What’s that?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. You want any of these?”
“Not yet.”
“Want me to hold you?”
“What kind of question is that?”
He smiled. He should have guessed she wasn’t one to need space. He slid in beside her, took her in his arms, and waited for her to speak.
She didn’t. That was OK. Aftercare was all about meeting a partner’s needs after all that intensity. Even though they hadn’t discussed it, he instinctively knew she needed some time to process.
“Would you like some orange juice?” he asked after a while.
“Yes, please.”
He opened the bottle with a pop, put in a bendy straw, and brought it to her lips.
She sucked greedily, draining over half the bottle. “I didn’t realize I was so thirsty.”
“These things are intense. They take a lot out of you.”
“Did it take a lot out of you?”
My heart and soul. They’re outside my body right now.
“Yes,” he simply said. “Would you like something to eat?”
“Are you on the menu?”
He chuckled. “For you, I’m 7-Eleven.”
She looked at him questioningly.
He kissed her hair. “Open 24/7.”
“So, feed me,” she said.
“With pleasure. What would you like?”
“Chocolate is always good.”
He took the bag of chocolate almonds, ripped it open, and brought one of the candies to her mouth.
She took the bag from him and fed him one. “You need aftercare too.”
BDSM, Jannie style. Nick smiled as he accepted her offer and chewed.
