The Model Couple

📷 Chapter 57

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"I'm so glad you came, I wasn't sure you would." My voice is huskier than usual.

To my surprise she clings onto my neck, "Of course I came, we fly out tomorrow. It's our last night together, Ry." Oh man, she's so sweet.

"Only for a few days, Buttercup. We'll be back in LA for the final elimination within a week." I give her another kiss, "It'll be okay." But she's still pouting and I'm determined to make her feel better.

She squeals with delight when I toss her onto my bed and climb over so I'm hovering above her. I lean down to take a little of her blue polka-dotted nightgown material between my teeth and pull. I recognize it as the one she bought in Hawaii that she wore the night of the giant spider. I spent days thinking about her hopping around in this little nighty. Last time she wore it I couldn't touch her or kiss her like I can now. That thought makes me smile.

"Mmmm." I pull back, releasing the material from my teeth and tease, "This isn't exactly appropriate clothing for the hallway of a medieval castle, young lady. You're supposed to save little revealing numbers like this for your boyfriend's eyes only." I love that I can call myself that. She blushes more and I know she can see the teasing twinkle in my eyes.

Her hand comes to my neck and I naturally lean into it. "Well..." She looks shy, "I was in a rush to get here, and I couldn't find a robe and I figured it covers me more than the bikini on the photoshoot in Hawaii." My eyes narrow, that is not a good memory. I won't do well watching the next episode. "And, to be a model, I'd have to get used to wearing little clothes that lots of people will see me in."

My stomach drops. I want to wrap her up and keep her to myself. I lie down on my side next to her, "Is that what you want to do? Be a model?"

She looks a bit sheepish as she says, "No, not really. But what else would I do? I have to get a job somewhere. I guess I can do modeling until I find something else." I take her hand and kiss on the inside of her wrist and arm. "Ry, when will you give me my rules?" My eyes lift to hers in inquiry but my lips continue nibbling at the pulse point on her wrist. "You must have some rules you want me to follow. Do you want to give them to me now or when the show's over?"

I stop my exploration of the skin on the inside of her elbow so I can understand what she's asking, "What do you mean 'rules'? What kind of rules would I have?" I begrudgingly lay down her arm but make a mental note that I have more of it to kiss later.

"You know, things like can I talk to boys? Do I have any food restrictions? No revealing clothes. Bedtimes, stuff like that."

Finally the fog in my brain clears enough that I understand what's going on. We might have to deal with some strange relationship ideas because of her controlling asshole of an ex. I brush the hair out of her face and kiss her nose. "Buttercup, you're an adult. All those things are up to you now."

She looks slightly saddened by this, or maybe worried, I can't tell. "But you must have some rules you want me to follow. I want to make you happy, Ry. Sorry if..."

I get an idea and interrupt her apology, "Okay, wait, I have a rule." She looks relieved. "Rule number one is that you need to take care of yourself." She nods. "It's sweet you want to make me happy, you are the most obedient and accommodating person I've ever met. But you need to make yourself happy too, Buttercup. You can't always put everyone else first." Her mouth becomes an O. "Sometimes you have to say 'no' and do what's best for you." I tap the tip of her nose.

She's smiling as she shyly says, "That's a nice rule. But it might take practice for me to be able to follow it." I nod. I'm glad she likes it, I'll give her another.