"You need to be more careful," he murmurs. "I can't lose you, Raffi. Promise me you'll be more careful next time."
I tighten my arms around him, even though it hurts to do it. But the painkillers are kicking in, so it's more of a dull ache than a sharp, skewering pain. "I promise," I say softly, hating the lieeven as I speak it. Truth is, there's no being careful in my job. But Darian relaxes against me, apparently convinced.
"I love you," he sighs. "I need you to take care of yourself as well as I take care of you."
My face breaks into a grin despite the throbbing in my back. "No possibility of that; you do way too good a job." I pull him in for another kiss. "Love you, too," I tell him after. "So much."
I'm so fucking lucky. Lucky to be loved by Darian. Lucky to be able to love him back.
Lucky to have time to ignore the answers hovering at the edge of my mind, dark and sinister.
They can wait until daylight.
CHAPTER 48
DARIAN
I helpRaffi up off the couch and down the hallway, his arm slung over my shoulder as he leans heavily against me. He's bare-chested, covered in bandages, and his injuries look far worse than he's letting on. As we get to the foyer, where there are a few guards standing around exchanging excited stories about the events of the night, Raffi straightens, attempting nonchalance. "I'm fine, D. I can walk on my own."
"Don't be ridiculous," I snap, ignoring the guards who chuckle at my response. "Don't you all have work to be doing?" I ask them coldly. They take one look at my face and scatter. I keep guiding Raffi past the stairs and toward my suite. "You need to lie down."
Raffi's laugh is strained. "What's the verdict, nurse? Will I live?"
"If you actually listen to me for once." I push open the door, irritation and concern warring inside me. Raffi has a penchant for danger that both thrills and frightens me. "Now, lie down before you fall down."
Raffi gives me a mocking salute, and then a wince, before easing himself onto the bed. I grab pillows, repositioning them as he groans while straightening out. "You need to rest," I scold him.
"Yes, sir." Raffi's lips quirk. "You planning on helping me relax?"
I glare at him, but he just keeps grinning. So I busy myself with removing his shoes and socks, then reach for his belt buckle. Raffi goes still, and I feel his gaze on me like a physical touch. "I swear, if it weren't for the circumstances, I might actually be enjoying this," he says.
My fingers fumble as I work his pants down, revealing inch by inch his sun-kissed skin and taut muscle. When I look up, it's hard not to stare at him, his body so hard and powerful, cock half-hard in his boxer briefs—but there's a vulnerability in his eyes I've never seen. It awakens a tenderness in me, a desire to shield and care for this man who is usually so invincible.
"Sweets," Raffi rasps, and I realize I've been staring. "I'm serious. You wanna help me relax, you're more than welcome." His cock fills out even more under my gaze, and I lick my lips unconsciously.
I slide a hand up his thigh and a groan rumbles in Raffi's chest, raw and needy. And I want to ease his pain. So I pull down his underwear slowly, put it aside, and sit down next to him again, letting my eyes look their fill. His breath hitches as I brush my knuckles over his velvet-soft balls, teasing as I avoid his dick.
"Come on," he groans, fingers twisting in the sheets. "Please."
"IfI'm going to do this, you need to stay very still. No moving around. You just lie there and relax."
He nods vigorously, and the scent of his arousal wafts up to my nose, musky and intoxicating. "I mean it, Raffi," I say severely. "I'm in control this time."
"You're in control," he agrees. "Hundred percent, D."
I bend down to nuzzle against his hip, kissing a path inward. A soft sigh spills from his lips as I mouth at his cock, exploring every ridge and vein. I could spend hours here, I think, as he gets harder and harder, leaking from the tip. That taste of him on my tongue is salty-sharp, addictive.
But Raffi really is in pain, and I want nothing more than to give him pleasure. So I take him deep, hollowing my cheeks. His cock nudges the back of my throat, and I swallow around him, gagging as I fight not to pull off.
"Fuck, sweets, yeah, just like that," Raffi whispers. I set a steady rhythm, enjoy the stretch of my lips, the fullness of my mouth, the little gasps I can pull from him depending on how I curl my tongue. His cock is throbbing against my tongue, balls drawing up tight?—
I pull off, ignoring the way Raffi groans out a curse, pleading with me, but I don't give in. I want to draw this out, give him the full release he needs so he can rest afterward.
Pushing his legs open a little more, I get between them and return my attention to his balls, taking them into my mouth one at a time, sucking gently until he lets out a strangled moan. I drop kisses into his wiry hair and feel his cock twitch against my cheek, seeking out my mouth as though it has a mind of its own.
So I give it the attention it needs, swirling my tongue around the sensitive ridge of his cockhead. Raffi's breath hitches, and he even moves a little, making me send up a warning glare. I take his dick in my hand and guide him deep into my mouth, gagging again, but this time I manage to keep going. I'm determined to makehimfeel good, even if it's a little uncomfortable for me.
And just as Raffi seems to be reaching the edge, I pull back again.
