Nico rests his chin on the top of my head. “You are lost in thought, Bello.”
“Mmm. I should find something to do while you’re gone.”
His arms tighten protectively around me. “I will not be gone for long this time. Emilio and Anna will be staying behind as well. No sense dragging them with me to the city, if I will be returning in a week or two.”
I cross my arms over Nico’s and squeeze them in a backward kind of hug. “I’ll consider that.” He snorts. We both know I don’t mean it. I turn to face him, pressing my cheek against his chest. “Do you need some help washing?” I try to make my question innocent, but Nico chuckles, knowing my intent is anything but.
He gently pushes me away and gestures to the ledge along the inside rim of the bath. “None of your mischief, witch. Sit and let me wash away the sweat from this morning’s training.” His mouth quirks at the corner, and he winks. “You can watch.” I open my mouth to reply, but he cuts me off in mock sternness, pointing a finger at me. “I said watch only.”
Sighing dramatically, I settle myself as requested. “You wound me, Nico. Reducing me to a spectator when I’m far more diverting as a participant. It’s a waste of my talents.”
He laughs as he lathers soap into a thick foam. “Oh, I know how diverting you can be, Bello. That is why you are sitting there, and I am over here. But do not worry.”He waggles his eyebrows at me. “I have plans for you.” Satisfied that I’ll get to play soon enough, I settle against the wall and admire the way the trails of soapy bubbles run down Nico’s gorgeous body. I do love his flexing muscles and beautiful lines, but it makes it difficult to be patient. As he drops under the water to rinse, I slowly stroke myself, groaning as he resurfaces looking like some Earth god of legend, his hair slicked back and water surging across his bare chest. He opens his eyes, and his gaze locks on mine before dropping to watch the motion of my hand. As he wades closer, his eyes darken, and a smile tugs at his lips. “Started without me I see.”
I languidly caress my now hard cock. “You were taking too long.”
Kneeling between my legs, he slides his palms up my thighs, voice gruff with desire. “Let me help you with that.” He nudges my hand away, replacing it with his own, matching my rhythm perfectly. Leaning in, he brushes his lips against mine. “Founder, you look good.” He nuzzles along my jaw, then nips his way around the shell of my ear. “I will miss you while I am gone.”
I lean against the wall, fighting to keep my hips still and let him do all the work. “Of course you will. What’s not to miss?”
He snorts and pinches my side. “I am being serious. I hate leaving you.”
Laughing, I weave my fingers into his damp curls, trying not to show how much I need to hear that. “You’ll be too busy to miss me. You andMarek—” Nico firms his grip, making it difficult to focus. “You’ll be outcarousing.” Nico’s other hand snakes between my legs to cup my balls, tugging gently. Pleasure lights up every inch of my body. “Fucking hells. Just like that.” I scoot my hips forward. “He’ll continue to try and tempt you into his bed.” There’s a jealous edge to my voice, and I don’t even care. Marek wants Nico. There’s no doubt that, given the opportunity, he’d take full advantage. But he can’t have what’s mine. And I won’t be sharing or giving Nico up. Ever.
“Bello. You know there is nothing there to tempt me. Marek and I are, and only ever will be, friends. He knows that. Besides, how could I want anyone else when I already haveyouin my bed?”
The jealousy squeezing my gut eases, and I sigh. Nico always knows what to say to soothe my ruffled feathers. His stroke quickens, and my body tingles as the pleasure builds. “True. I’m more than most can handle. And it isourbed, as you are so fond of telling me. I expect you back in it sooner rather than later.”
“Yes, Zayd.”
Nico uses my name like a verbal caress, and I adore it. I slide my hands along his wet chest and around his neck, pulling him down to nibble on his plush mouth. “Your lips are made for kissing.”
He slips an arm around my waist and pulls me closer. “My lips are made for kissingyou.“ He proceeds to demonstrate his point, much to my delight.
His damp curls wrap around my fingers, and I close my hand into a fist, tugging firmly as my heart rate increases and my body answers his soft groan. “I love the soundsyou make for me. So sensual and needy.” I roll my hips, pressing my cock along the warm, wet length of him. “Let me hear you now.” I wrap my hand around us both, keeping the stroke firm and steady. Nico’s deep moan resonates through the room, blending with my own.
We haven’t said I love you. Not yet. Though I’ve come to accept that it’s inevitable. In spite of my best efforts, I’ve lost my heart to a sweet man who has no business being involved with someone like me. My only hope is that neither of us comes to regret it. Before I can get too caught up in my head, he licks down my chest, his soft breath caressing my wet skin as his lips suck and tease across my torso, scattering my thoughts like leaves on the wind. I speed up my stroke until he wraps his hand around mine, slowing my motion. “Waitwaitwaitwait. I want this to last. And I am wrinkled in places I should not be wrinkled. And I cannot do everything I want to do to you, if we are in water.”
I chuckle and raise an eyebrow. “So what do you propose we do?” He pushes to his feet, rising out of the bath with his arms firmly around me. Laughing, I wrap my arms and legs around his solid body and hold on tight. “Oh, a demonstration of your strength. Very impressive but not necessary. I’m already naked in your arms.” I grin mischievously as I’m carried out of the tub.
He pinches my ass, and I yelp, rubbing the injured cheek. “Be quiet, or there will be consequences.”
“Ooooh! Yes! That sounds promising.” I squirm against him as we trail water out of the bathroom and across the bedroom floor.
Nico attempts to scowl, but his face isn’t meant for negative expressions, so he barely looks put out. “That is it. Now you are in trouble.” He dumps me onto the bed and crawls over me. “How shall I punish you for your impertinence?” He lightly bites my hip.
“Are you asking for suggestions? Because I have a few.” I waggle my eyebrows at him.
He points his finger at me. “You. Quiet.” I bite my lip and say nothing more as I fight the grin threatening to appear. Crawling further up my body, he lowers his hips and lightly brushes his cock against mine before immediately moving away. I moan, partly in frustration, partly because it feels so damned good. He does it again and again, stroking our cocks together until I can’t stand the teasing anymore.
I reach for him, but he holds up a finger. “No touching. You are to lie here and think about your behavior.” I’m definitely thinking aboutsomebehavior but refrain from mentioning it. Instead, I let my arms flop onto the bed as I give Nico my best contrite expression. It has the expected result of making him laugh. “Better. Much better.” He brushes his lips across mine and whispers against them. “I am going to make you so hard you will worry the ache will never go away. Your body will shake with need, and you will beg me for release. But I will not let you come.”
I can’t help myself. “Ever?”
He scowls at me. “Not if you keep up these antics.” He pinches my ass again. “When you think you cannot take any more, I am going to make you come so hard that you see stars.”
My breath catches in anticipation, his words having what I’m certain is the desired effect. “You’re very confident about that.” No need to point out that the Shabah taught us all about resisting torture techniques. Even pleasurable ones. Nico scowls again, and I smile back, not the least bit contrite.
He softly mouths his way along my jaw to the spot behind my ear, peppering light kisses down my neck and across my chest, pausing momentarily at my crossed daggers tattoo and placing a gentle kiss there. He settles next to me, tracing fingertips from my collarbone to my hip, coming close to but never touching my cock. “Bello, stop thinking. Let go and enjoy this.”
