Page 23 of Brought By the Storm

“I think you’re the best-looking man I’ve ever seen,” I blurted. I shut myself up, realizing I sounded like an eager, starstruck teenager.

Carrington didn’t seem to mind. He had a big smile. “Yes? Tell me what you like. I enjoy being flattered.”

I grinned. “All hail the president, huh?”

He gave me an appraising look. “You’re an angel, but you have a little devil in you, too. Your mouth can be fresh.” Then he smiled. “You’re perfect.”

“Fresh? I’m always sweet. I’m practically Amish, remember?” I mock-protested.

His expression became solemn, and I wondered how my playful banter offended him. “About that,” he started. “I have a confession to make. Not as earth-shattering as admitting I’m attracted to a man, but one that may make you angry with me.”

I had no idea what he was talking about. How would me joking that I was always sweet elicit a confession from him? I knew things had been going too well. I imagined this would be the point in the conversation where he’d tell me that he had ordered political foes executed, or some equivalent that would be too horrible to ignore. “Okay,” I managed.

“Earlier, I came up here to move my belongings into your room. I wasn’t thinking. I just started opening drawers to put away my clothes, and, well,” he explained, darting his eyes over to my dresser.

For a moment, I had no idea what he was referencing. Then it hit me. I put my hands over my face and moaned. “Oh God.”

“Please don’t be embarrassed. I’m the one who should be. I had no right to go into your things. In my defense, I wasn’t trying to be invasive. I just wasn’t thinking. I’m so sorry I disrespected you.”

I looked up at the ceiling to avoid his scrutiny. “I forgot they were there. I don’t ever use them.”

He had the audacity to chuckle. “Um, okay, but the bottle of lubricant was half-empty.”

I returned his glance with a grimace. “You’re trying to torture me, aren’t you?” He began to laugh. “I thought you weren’t snooping. You sure seemed to have checked every detail.” He just laughed a little louder. “Okay, I’ve used them, but it’s been a long time.”

“Eric,” he prodded when I went back to looking at the ceiling.

“I’m telling you the truth,” I mumbled.

“Look at me,” he ordered. I didn’t. “Please.” Then, I did. His face was remorseful. “I’m sorry I embarrassed you. It just didn’t feel right not to tell you. Don’t be angry. The thing is, I think it’s hot.”

“You do?” I asked in surprise.

He returned a hand to the side of my face. “Mm. I’ve been thinking about you and that larger sex toy all day. I would love to watch you with it.”

I gulped. “Oh.”

He smiled. “I’m hard as your bedpost right now, picturing it.”

In reflex, I shot my eyes in the direction of his crotch, but it was covered by the blanket. “I don’t think I can do that,” I managed. “I’d feel too self-conscious.”

“In time,” he said. “Once you realize I’m not judging you. It’s you having the power to make me weak.”

“I thought you like to be the one barking orders and being in charge,” I reminded him.

He smiled. “Oh, I’d be barking orders, all right. It doesn’t mean you wouldn’t still be the death of me.”

I tried to remember what had triggered the topic of my sex toys. “How did me joking that I’m always sweet make you think about the dildo?” He darted his eyes away. “Oh. It was you calling me out as a liar for my Amish comment.”

He pulled my face back into his hands. “I’m glad you aren’t a part of some celibate sect. That would be such a waste. I love that you can be naughty. You’re full of surprises.”

“Did you like to watch girlfriends play with sex toys?” I asked, unable to hide my inexplicable jealousy.

“Never happened,” he stated.

“Why not?”

Carrington shrugged. “I guess because I always hooked up with society types, or at least women who tried to be what they thought a man in my position wanted them to be. I enjoyed sex with them, but they always held back. I think they thought if they appeared to be having a good time, I’d think less of them. I was never even sure if the orgasms they had were intense. Maybe they weren’t even real. It’s hard to be in relationship after relationship like that. You begin to wonder if you’re just a bore in bed.”