Page 94 of Just Wait

Being so close to her when she’s nude is dangerous, especially without an audience to keep me from doing something stupid. Still, I’m solid when it comes to self-control.

Peeling myself out of my jeans when I’ve got a hard-on is going to be a nightmare, but I’m not about to blow her off.

“Yeah, sweetheart.” I nod, clearing my throat. “I’ll be right there.”

Lumen smells even more heavily of Mal and Riser once I get up close and personal.

No one wants to snuggle in jeans, but I left my boxers on. Considering she’s naked, it would have been an unfair power balance to stay in all of my clothes. Not that I don’t enjoy that from time to time, because I do.

Being in control in and outside of the bedroom is a huge part of who I am. It took a while until I realized there was a name for that, outside of being a control freak. I know now that I’m a Dom, but a healthy dynamic requires discussions and negotiations that we haven’t had time for.

I am hopeful that she might eventually be open to letting me take the lead. That’s not something to undertake unless both parties are of sound mind.

Lumen lies curled on her side facing the middle of the mattress. I wrap myself around her back, bringing my knees under hers. My hand comes to rest on her abdomen, and I can’t help but notice the difference in our temperatures.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I move to hold my head up with my palm and pull her hair back from her face. “How ya feeling?”

“I’m good,” she mumbles.

“How about some water?” I suggest, rolling over to grab a bottle off the nightstand. “We’ll lie right back down after you drink.”

“No one has ever been so obsessed with how hydrated I am.” She turns onto her back and sits up with a grunt.

I frown.

Don’t push too hard too fast, I remind myself.

Lumen isn’t an omega.

Her genetics aren’t coded to find it endearing when a domineering alpha takes charge and makes choices for her.

“I’m not complaining. I’ve never had anyone to hover,” she says, trying to grab the bottle from my hand. “It’s kinda nice.”

Oh, she has no idea how good I can be at hovering and micromanaging everything. I thrive when someone is willing to hand over all control to me.

“Let me,” I murmur, bringing the water to her lips as my other hand moves to cradle the back of her head. “Slow and steady so we don’t spill any on the bed.”

She smiles around the bottle and drinks steadily.

Shit.

I’m in so much trouble.

If she didn’t admit that she likes being cared for, that little grin would have given it away.

Once she’s done, I take a long swig before twisting to place it down on the bedside table.

“All right, you can lie back down if you’re sure you don’t want to take a shower.” I nod to the pillows, and her long eyelashes flutter.

Lumen has a light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks that I’m developing an unhealthy obsession with. Actually, I think that fixation is just with her in general.

“I’ll shower in the morning, I promise,” she says. “Unless you guys are all trying to force me into the shower because I stink, and you’re too polite to say something.”

I snort. “Not even close. You smell delicious, sweetheart.”

“If you’re sure.” She sighs, like maybe she was thinking about something.

I keep my eyes on hers to avoid staring at her tits.