She nodded, sighing as her eyes slipped closed. The night’s activities had worn her out. “More than good,” she responded.
They fell into silence after that, understanding that there was no more to say. They were both content and ready to sleep. Toby pulled a blanket over them and she was thankful for the warmth. She fell asleep with her arms wrapped around him and for the first time in a long while, she didn’t feel a deep, aching loneliness in her chest.
Chapter Nineteen
When morning came around, Marie woke slowly, her opening reluctantly. There was only a single window for light to pour in through, but it was enough to tell her that she had slept well into the morning. It didn’t take her long to realize she wasn’t in her own bed, though soon enough she remembered what had happened the night before.
Her head was pounding and as she brought her hand to her temple she saw a quick movement out of the corner of her eyes.
“Good morning.”
She jumped and turned around so quickly that she nearly fell off the bed. Toby caught her before she could tumble back and brought her back to the middle of the bed, wrapping his strong arms around her. He was still so warm and welcoming and held a cup of coffee in his hands. He smiled and offered it to her, pressing a kiss to her temple.
They were both still naked and she couldn’t help but take in his masculine physique. He was just so damn handsome. She blushed but sipped at her coffee as he stroked her hair. It felt nice to have him in bed with her the next morning. She felt good. She felt refreshed and she didn’t feel used. She’d almost expected to feel guilty after a one-night stand.
“How are you feeling this morning?” he asked.
“Better than I have in a long time,” she sighed, closing her eyes as the bitter coffee hit her tongue, waking her up almost immediately.
“I’m glad. I really wanted to make you feel good.”
“You did a good job.”
He smiled and stroked her hair out of the way, his fingers gentle just like him. She cleared her throat and started to stand, covering her body as best she could. He reached up and gently pulled the covers away, exposing her.
“You shouldn’t hide. You’re beautiful. Walk with confidence,” he urged.
She cleared her throat, feeling the heat rise in her body once more. She nodded, deciding it was best not to argue with him. He stood with her and offered his hand.
“Come with me.”
Marie took it and wrapped her fingers around his, feeling surprisingly safe with this stranger. Sure they’d gone on a date, had sex and spent the night together, but in the grand scheme of things she really didn’t know much about him. Still, she followed him without hesitation and smiled when she realized they’d come to a large bathroom.
He crossed the room and turned on the shower, motioning for her to come closer. He pulled her under the spray of the warm water and started washing her body. It felt amazing to have someone’s hands dancing over her skin. It made her feel like a goddess that was being worshipped.
Marie glanced up at him and chewed her bottom lip. “I never would have expected this.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, when I think of paid sex or a brothel, I imagine that you pay, you have sex and you go home,” she said, meeting his gaze.
“We aren’t a normal brothel,” he explained, “sex is an important part of human nature and human existence, but it isn’t the most important part, especially for women.”
She nodded in agreement. “I think you’re the first guy to ever admit that.”
He laughed and shook his head. “We’ll just say I’m a little more mature than most men.”
Was he saying he was old? He didn’t look a day over thirty. She didn’t press, though and just let him continue.
“Madame Osei understands that the physical part of our services is necessary but it’s important to make the person feel empowered and confident. It builds the person up and that is what we are here to do. It’s a total package.”
“You can say that again.”
The both shared a brief laugh before finishing their shower. They took their time, washing each other thoroughly and enjoying the physical contact. Somehow Marie felt that this was far more intimate than the sex had been. She’d missed this more than any other part of a relationship. She missed the intimacy that didn’t revolve around sex and she was happy that Toby seemed more than eager to offer it to her.
When they finished they returned to the bedroom, wrapped in warm, fluffy robes that felt like they’d just been pulled from a dryer. Marie went about collected her clothes and glanced back at Toby, looking a bit disappointed.
“I hope it’s not rude, but I should be heading home.”
She didn’t want to leave but there were quite a few lose ends at home that she needed to take care of. Now that she was leaving, this was starting to feel like business again and she hated it. She wanted the illusion to last forever.
“Of course. I understand that you have a life you have to get back to,” he said, smiling. “I’m here at your disposal. I enjoyed that you stayed the night, but I understand you have things you need to do.”
Marie was almost surprised at how understanding he was, though she quickly remembered where she was. She was at a brothel. This was their job. Of course he wouldn’t care if she left. Suddenly, remembering that this wasn’t just a random hookup made her a little nervous. She started going through her purse, trying to find her wallet.
“I should tip you or something right?”
He gently took her hands and pulled them from her bag. “You don’t owe me anything. You’ve done so much for me already,” he said, kissing the back of her hand.
She wasn’t sure what he meant by that but as she turned to leave he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “You’ve saved me.”
She smiled and tucked some hair out of her face. “You’re giving me a little too much credit, aren’t you?”
He smiled and shook his head. “One day you’ll understand what you’ve done.”
She smiled and kissed his cheek. “Well…I guess we helped each other out, didn’t we?”
He chuckled and nodded. “Have a safe drive home.” He paused and then grinned. “See you in your dreams.”
She took pause at that but decided not to press. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what he meant. She finally turned and left the room, walking down the long, brightly painted hallway. The main lobby was empty with the exception of a few cats playing near a pond. She loved that there always seemed to be animals around. It calmed her.
She made it through the warehouse, deciding to go through the bakery and pick up something for breakfast. A bell on the door ran as she entered and Marco turned to smile at her.
“Welcome back. Did you enjoy your evening?”
The question made her feel a bit guilty. She could remember the look of jealousy on Marco’s face all too clearly. “Yes. I had a wonderful time,” she didn’t need to give him all the dirty details. “But it’s about time I headed home and I was wondering if I could buy something for breakfast?”
“Of course you can,” he said, “what can I get you?”
“Maybe a muffin? I don’t know. What do you suggest? You’re the expert.”
He snorted. “Hardly,” he said as he reached into the cabinet and got a fruit tart, “this is something new I made. I’d be honored if you’d be the first to try it.”
She smiled and nodded, waiting patiently for him to hand her a slice of the tart. Instead he picked a piece up with a small fork and leaned over the case enough to feed her the bite. It was one of the most amazing things she’d ever eaten in her life. It was a bit sour at first but that quickly turned to sweetness as the crust all but melted on her tongue. She covered her mouth and nodded.
“That is what I want.”
He grinned brightly and bagged it up for her, handing it over the counter carefully so as not to tip it.
“Enjoy.”
/> “I always do,” she said with a smile, paying for the food.
She could feel his eyes on her as she left and she had to admit that she liked it. Going to Mystique was a far different experience than what she’d expected. She never thought she would feel desired in a place like that. She’d always assumed that brothels were where desperate people went when they were out of options.
As she turned the key in her ignition, she smiled and glanced back at the building silently thanking Toby and the rest for leaving her feeling confident rather than used. It was a change of pace and one she knew she could get used to.
She pulled out of the parking lot, leaving her old self behind.
The End
Copyright 2016 by Kara Summers - All rights reserved.
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Biker Romance: Never Love an Exile (Exile Love Biker MC Series Book 3) Page 67