As she comes down from her high, I carefully remove her blindfold.Her eyes blink open, adjusting to the dimmed lights, finally focusing on my face.
"Hi," she whispers, and there's something so vulnerable, so genuine in that simple greeting that something shifts in my chest.
"Hi," I reply, brushing damp hair from her forehead."You did beautifully."
I undo her restraints, starting with her legs, massaging each area as it's freed to restore circulation.Her eyes never leave my face, watching me with an expression I can't quite decipher.
When I finally free her wrists, she surprises me by reaching up to touch my face, her fingers tracing my jawline with unexpected tenderness.
"Thank you," she whispers.
I capture her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm.Then, I help her sit up, offering her water, which she drinks gratefully.
"How do you feel?"I ask, watching her carefully.
"Incredible," she admits."A little floaty."
"That's normal," I assure her."It's called subspace.Some people experience it during intense scenes."
She nods, handing the water glass back to me."I've heard of it, but I've never...it's never happened before."
The knowledge that I've given her an experience she's never had before sends a surge of satisfaction through me.
When I step away to remove the condom and slip my pants back on, I grab a warm blanket to drape over Skye.Though it seems aftercare is a struggle for Skye.She fights it, shifting away.
"I don't need this," she mutters.
Studying her, I let my fingers tighten ever so slightly on her arm."It's not just for you," I say quietly."It's for me too."
Something flickers in her eyes.Uncertainty or hesitation, but she doesn't argue when I pull her into my lap, holding her close.For a long time, we sit in silence, her body slowly relaxing against mine.
"You did well," I murmur against her hair, fingers stroking lazily up and down her back."Better than I expected."I hand her a bottle of water.
She shifts slightly, taking the bottle but doesn't pull away."Better how?"
"You didn't break."My tone is thoughtful."Didn't hesitate.Even when I expected you to."
She scoffs lightly."I'm stronger than I look," before taking a drink of water.
"I can see that."I tilt her chin up, searching for her gaze."But strength doesn't mean you don't need care."
She swallows hard but doesn't respond.Instead, she rests her forehead against my chest.It's enough.
I hold her there, running my fingers through her hair, smoothing it down as I press a slow kiss to the top of her head."Letting me take care of you doesn't make you weak, Skye."
She tenses, then exhales slowly."I know."
But I don't think she believes it yet.Not fully.
After a while, I shift us so she's curled against my side, still wrapped in the blanket."You okay?"
She nods."Just...not used to this."
I press my lips against her temple."You'll get used to it."
She huffs a small laugh."You're sure about that?"
"Positive."I tighten my arm around her, anchoring her to me."I'm not going anywhere, Skye."