“Why do you ask?”

“I just wondered if it surprised you when you played again? How much you missed it.”

“It did,” he said. “I think that’s why I went against my gut feeling and invited Gwen to play.”

“But that didn’t work out.” Gwen had been the opposite of Melanie and needed more pain than what he was willing to give.

“Just because our needs within the power exchange didn’t align. It wasn’t that we didn’t both want the power exchange itself.”

Not wanting to discuss another woman on our honeymoon, especially one he’d played with, I changed the subject. “So why were you surprised today?”

“Probably because I’ve been enjoying our everyday time so much.” His eyes grew playful. “Especially since that month thing is over.”

“So you’re so excited to have sex again, you’ll take it any way you can?” I teased.

“Look who’s being sassy with my collar on,” he said with a smile.

“So you’re so excited to have sex again, you’ll take it any way you can, Master?” Normally, I wouldn’t be so flippant while wearing his collar, but I felt so good and he was relaxed and easygoing.

Quick as a cat, he had me flipped to my back and loomed over me. “I believe, Abigail, that collar means I can have all the sex I want, anytime I want. Wouldn’t you agree?”

His expression was so intense, I bit back the smart remark I had dancing on my tongue and replied with a simple, “Of course, Master.”

The intensity of his face didn’t change, but his eyes darkened with desire. “Damn straight,” he said, seconds before his lips crushed mine in a kiss so full of passion, I forgot what we’d been discussing.

When he broke the kiss, he remained over me, his legs between mine and his hands on either side of my head. “Speaking of how long it’s been since we’ve played, how are you feeling?”

At his question, I realized how sore I was, especially my backside and upper thighs. Now that my subspace high was wearing off, I was glad he didn’t listen to me when I’d spoken “green.” “Actually, I’m feeling a little sore, Master.”

He nodded. “I think a long soak in the tub would work wonders on those achy spots.”

A long soak in the tub would be even better if he joined me. Though I doubted how much it’d help my aches if he did.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said, rolling off the bed. “And no, I won’t be joining you in the tub. I think you’ve had enough for one day.”

I stuck my bottom lip out.

“It’s been a month, we need to ease back into it slowly,” he said. “While some people believe in hitting the ground running, I’ve found all that’s good for is causing shin splints.”

I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “Shin splints, Master? My shins are the least sore part of my body.”

He gave my thigh a playful swat. “It was an analogy, you mouthy sub.”

“You like me feisty.”

“I like you, period.” He held out his hand. “Can you walk?”

I scooted off the bed and took his hand. “I think so.”

The master bathroom held a soaker tub big enough for both of us, but much to my chagrin, Nathaniel was serious about not getting in with me. He wrapped me in a soft robe and had me sit in the spacious room’s chaise longue while he prepared the water.

Once it met his satisfaction, he had me stand and disrobe. I held on to him while I stepped into the water and sighed as I sank into the sweet-smelling bubbles.

I cracked one eye open. “Sure you don’t want to join me?”

“I want to join you, all right, but I’m not going to.” He twisted my hair up and pinned it on top of my head. “I’ll be right back.”

I closed my eyes again and sank deeper. “I’m not going anywhere.”

He returned not long after, with a glass of ice water and two ibuprofen tablets. I popped the pills in my mouth and chased them down with the water, not realizing how thirsty I was until I’d drank half the glass.

I looked up at his chuckle. “Sorry, Master, did you want some?” Frequently, we’d share one glass of wine, so I didn’t know if he’d intended to have some of the water.

He took a washcloth and began washing my shoulders. “No, that’s all for you. I’ll get some later.”

I drank the rest of the water and he took the glass. With strong solid hands, he washed my body, massaging my back and being extra gentle with my backside and thighs. As he worked my muscles, I began to feel the normal aftereffects of our play. I hoped I wouldn’t fall asleep in the tub.