Chapter 41 - Chapter Forty One

Give me a moment, and I'll unhook you," he said, reaching behind her and unhooking her arms from the hook above her and then undoing the rope holding her arms together.

With her arms free, she felt an ache in them from being suspended for so long. It stung and she tried not to grimace. He slid the slots her knees were placed in, back to their normal spot, so she was no longer spread wide.

"Are you okay?" Roth cupped her chin in his hand and forced her eyes back up to his.

Ruby nodded. "I'm good." she gave him a tight smile, but in reality, her body felt like jelly, and arms were aching horribly.

"Alright. It might hurt when I take the nipple clamps off, okay?"

No, it wasn't okay, but she nodded and closed her eye, waiting for the pain - the real pain - to begin. The first clamp was just as quickly as the clamp was remove, his mouth captured the nipple sucking and teasing it with his tongue. Her breath hissed out through her teeth as the pleasure rushed through her. Ruby opened her eyes back up and looked down at him as she gripped his shoulders for support.

"Good?" he ask, lifting his eyes to hers and letting her nipple fall from his lips.

"Uh-huh."

With a nod, he released the other nipple and quickly replaced it with his mouth, caressing and stroking the throbbing nipple with his tongue until shivers of pleasure rushed through her. Once done with the second nipple he slipped her arm around his shoulders and hoisted her up into his arms, carrying her through the room and into the bedroom.

With a loud sigh, Ruby cuddled against his broad chest, and a smile touched her lips. She felt fulfilled, relaxed, and slightly tired despite it being early afternoon. "Where are you taking me?" she murmured against his chest.

"Mmmm. You don't have to do that." Ruby sighed as she closed her eyes, hugging her legs to her. The water came to her chest in the deep, claw style bathtub.

Roth's skilled fingers were working out the kinks in her neck and shoulders that had formed from being bound for so long. Once they had finished with their play, He had taken her directly to the bathroom and ran them a nice soothing bubble bath and they were now submerged, Ruby sitting between Roth's legs, her back to his chest.

"Yes, I do," he informed her softly, kissing the side of her neck. She moaned her satisfaction as his lips sent a soft shiver through her.

Roth spared no detail, soft music played in the background. Lavender scented candles were lit, and the intoxicating floral scent of the bath oils he'd added to the water enhanced the romantic atmosphere. It was like something out of one of the romance novels she loved so much. Just minus the rose petals floating on top of the water. She'd never enjoyed a bath as much as she did at that moment. Of course, his erection, pressing at her bottom and his skilled fingers caressing her sore flesh, certainly added to the experience.

"You know we still didn't get to finish that conversation we started in the kitchen, Ruby."

Damn. The last thing she wanted right now was to bring that back up. "I don't want to." His soft chuckle behind her made her grin, and she looked back over her shoulder at him.

"I think we should. And face forward, please."

Her grin widened as she placed her chin back on her arms, which were crossed over her knees. His hands felt so good, his fingers pressing and kneading at just the perfect spots. "Yes, Sir."

"Smart ass."

"I know."

"Don't change the subject."

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "I've said what I wanted to already."

To her dismay, he stopped massaging her. "Sit back against me."

She complied, settling back against his bubble covered chest. Roth wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tight, kissing her temple tenderly. It felt like heaven in his arms. She felt cared for and protected in his embrace and would happily stay there for the rest of eternity, enjoying the moment as it was.

"Why would you ever think I would consider you a fling, or a bought and paid for fuck, Ruby?"

There seemed to be genuine concern and upset in his tone that made Ruby glance up and capture his eyes with her own. "I just... I've had some bad experiences with men in the past and I just don't want to make any more mistakes." She lowered her eyes from his. "Mistakes hurt too much."

His frown deepened. He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek and then traced her lower lip with his thumb. "Do you think I may be a mistake?"

Ruby's heart stopped beating for a moment and it felt as though time was standing still as she lifted her eyes to meet his once more. She cared for him and there was no doubt in her mind that it wouldn't take long before her heart would fully and completely be his. Roth wasn't the kind of man you loved and easily forgot about. If she gave into her emotional desires for him she could be potentially setting herself for the devastation of her lifetime.

"Do you think I may be a mistake," he repeated a little firmer in his tone, his hurt over the thought was apparent.

She closed her eyes a moment and steadied her frazzled nerves. When she opened them back up she shook her head. "No. No you're not."

A smile tugged at the corners of his lips and he nodded, pulling her tighter to him. "There. So where do we go from here?" He bushed his lips against her temple again.

That was the million dollar question right there, as far as she was concerned. The room filled with silence once more and she shrugged, nibbling at her lower lip as she gazed back at him.