"Good morning." He pecked a gentle kiss to my forehead.

The outline of his semi-erect penis sent a thrill through me. It was rare for him not to be hard.

"Morning."

How long had he been awake? At most, I'd slept a few hours since our last round of sex. Had he at all?

"She's kind of heavy." I rolled toward him.

"I got Amara in the heavier body type. I picked the African face, one of the three ethnic women available." He sat on the edge of the bed.

All the women he'd dated had been white, I thought. Though, yesterday he had admitted interest in the Japanese exchange student. "Why?"

"That's what I wanted." He looked over at her. "If her being here bothers you I can put her away or get rid of her."

"At first I was shocked, but it's kind of sexy. I'm probably disturbed since I like that you have her. "

"I have a life-size woman doll and you find that sexy." He cocked his head. "Not many would agree with your perception. Most would find it creepy."

A lot of people had the wrong frame of mind, including me. Rhys could be out there preying on women. Rather he'd found a way to try to control his urges.

"How many times have you and Amara made love?" Up until Caden's Welcome Home party, I'd taken Rhys for granted as a friend and a man. Maybe I still did. No one was as loyal and dependable as he.

"I haven't had intercourse with her if that is what you are asking, nor engaged in any other kind of sexual acts with her."

How unusual. I frowned. "Why not?"

"I didn't get her for sex exactly. There are services out there for that type of request." He held out the plate, gesturing for me to take it.

"I had no idea."

He smiled. "I needed a body to practice use of instruments and bondage techniques."

My relationship with food was as messed up as any. The aching pain of starving myself dulled out other discomforts.

"So since you got her she's had no pleasure, only pain?" The food looked and smelled appetizing.

He frowned. "Correct."

Rhys needed someone to not only bear his suffering but allow him release. Given everything he did for me, I might be able to provide this relief.

"Will you show me one of your favourite techniques?" I asked.

"On her?" He narrowed his eyes.

The fact that he went directly to a demonstration on her spoke of his reluctance to share this type of activity with me. He'd built this elaborate set up in his living room, but had not once brought up interest in such games. To me, it indicated he didn't think I could handle his interest. Not to forget that over the past ten months he'd pulled away.

"On me." In case I wanted to observe a demonstration, first, we could use her so I'd know what was to come and I liked having the option.