Chapter 23 His words still echoed in my head . " Unless you want me to . " 55 vouchers The room felt smaller after he said it . I was still backed up against the wall , barely breathing , and his eyes were on mine . The silence was thick between us . Neither of us moved . Then he reached out and let his hand slide to my waist . I stiffened . His palm rested there , fingers brushing lightly against the side of my stomach . I could feel the heat of his skin through the thin towel . My stomach clenched , and my knees felt weak . I hated how my body reacted to him . Hated that my chest was tight , not just from nerves but from something warmer , something I didn't want to admit was real . I looked up at him , ready to speak , but he stepped back first . " We should sleep ," he said . His voice was quiet again , flat like none of that had happened . I didn't say anything . I just nodded once and walked toward my suitcase . I changed in the bathroom , slipped into the dark silk nightgown I had packed without thinking it would ever actually be worn . It barely reached mid - thigh . Thin straps , soft neckline and no padding . I walked back into the bedroom . He was already in bed , one arm thrown behind his head , eyes closed . The sheet covered him to the waist , chest bare . He didn't move when I walked in , didn't say a word . I climbed in on the other side , slowly , careful not to get too close . The bed felt huge but not big enough . I lay there , staring at the ceiling , completely still . Every time he shifted even a little , I froze . I could hear his breathing , deep and steady . He was either asleep or pretending really well . My body was restless . My mind wouldn't stop spinning . I hated how warm I felt between my legs , hated that I kept thinking about the pool , the photos , his hands on my waist . My thighs pressed together under the sheet . I turned to my side , tried to breathe slowly . It didn't help . Rick might not remember anything about our past , but every bit of my body remembered how much I had needed him and how much I had loved him and how he knew every bit of me . I could already feel the wetness pooling between my thighs now and it wasn't helping in any way . After another ten minutes of lying there , every nerve in my body tense and screaming , I gave up . I climbed out of bed slowly and walked to the bathroom . I shut the door behind me quietly , not bothering to lock it . I sat down on the closed toilet lid , pressing the edge of the sink counter with one hand for 1/3 Chapter 23 balance . 35 vouchers I let my other hand trail down slowly , between my thighs , over the smooth fabric of my nightgown . My breath hitched immediately . It felt embarrassing , wrong , and yet somehow like the only thing I could do to stay sane . My fingers moved slower , softer , and my hips shifted without meaning to . A soft moan escaped my lips before I could stop it . I bit down on my knuckle . My hands continued their exploration , moving downward , my fingers tracing the curve of her stomach , the soft skin responding to her touch . I leaned back , my body arching slightly as my fingers reached the waistband of my silk panties . With a slow , teasing motion , I slipped my hand beneath the fabric , my fingers brushing against the soft curls , sending a wave of heat through me . My breath quickened , my chest rising and falling with each ragged inhale . My fingers delved deeper and I moaned again , louder this time , my voice filled with need . My fingers moved in rhythm , i was lost in the sensation , my body responding to her touch . My hips began to move , a subtle thrusting motion that matched the rhythm of my fingers . My breasts heaved with each breath , the nipples tight and erect , begging for attention . I didn't even hear the footsteps . Just the knock , two slow taps on the bathroom door . My heart dropped . Rick's voice came through , low and unimpressed . " If you're really going to do that , can you at least be more quiet ? " My face flushed so fast I thought I'd pass out . I didn't even have time to say anything before the door opened . He stepped inside like it was nothing . Barefoot , shirtless and calm . My mouth opened but no words came out . Rick looked down at me , his eyes dragging over the way I sat with my knees drawn up , my nightgown bunched slightly around my thighs , one hand still frozen in place . His eyes met mine and I thought I was dreaming . I snapped out of my trance when I saw him starting to walk towards me and I blinked multiple times " What are you … " I started to say but he reached me in a few strides , cutting my words shut . He suddenly crouched in front of me , and my eyes followed , still in absolute shock from it all . 2/3 8:45 pm ED Chapter 23 55 vouchers His hand reached for mine , the one still caught between my legs . He moved it aside and replaced it with his own . My whole body tensed , breath catching in my throat . " You clearly need help finishing , " he said . His voice was calm . He wasn't teasing . He wasn't mocking . Just … matter of fact , " and the least I can do as your husband is helping you ." " wh - what are you - " " You've done enough for us , " his voice was husky and lower as if we were talking about eating dinner so casually , " I can do this much for you ." My hands gripped the edge of the sink behind me as his fingers brushed over me through the fabric . " Rick … " I tried to brush his hand away but he had both hands under my thighs by now . He looked up at me , his eyes locked on mine . " Keep looking at me ," he said . And I did . " It's nothing to feel embarrassed about , it's only natural for you to have this need , and I'll satisfy it for you . " 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!