8
Brooks
I woketo Darcy’s warmth pressed to my chest, his face buried against my armpit, and his arm flung over my belly. It was all I could do not to roll him over and fuck him awake. He hadn’t given me permission for that yet, and I wanted him to sleep. He deserved every minute of rest he got because I knew for a fact he worked long hours at the Courtesan.
As though he could hear my thoughts, though, he jerked awake, his hold on me tightening, then relaxing again. “Oh.”
“Is that a good ‘oh’ or a bad ‘oh’?” I asked, amused. Twisting to my side, I grabbed his ass and dragged him closer until our morning woods met in their very own sword battle.
“You’re warm,” he murmured, burying his face against my chest and sighing. “I didn’t—” He cleared his throat and went to roll away, but I held him tight, unwilling to let him go. Not yet.
“You didn’t what?” I slid my hand up his back, over his shoulder, and to his cheek, cupping it. I found the corner of his mouth with my thumb and zeroed in on his lips for a deep kiss. He’d mewled so beautifully when I’d fucked him, and I wanted more of it, more of everything that involved him. There wasn’t only fucking to keep us occupied here at Astamaya, but so much more. The lake was a prime spot to swim. There were also yoga classes, the spa, and if we got daring, mountain trails we could hike.
“You’re the only man I’ve ever woken up with,” he said, voice wispier than usual, but at least he didn’t try to move away this time. “I didn’t know I would like it this much.” I had a feeling Darcy wasn’t used to someone making him speak his mind, but that was what I wanted to be for him—his outlet, somewhere he could go to let it all loose and forget about the hotel for a while. I just had to make him understand that.
“I’m honored to be the first one,” I whispered against his lips, smiling. “And if I have it my way, I’ll be the only one you wake up next to.”
He snorted, but there was a lightness to the crude sound that hadn’t been there previously. The tension in his muscles loosened and he sighed, curling his arm around my hip and snuggling in closer. His skin was silky as I ran a hand over the curve of his hip. “I admit that this is nice.”
I chuckled and attempted to kiss his forehead, but I got his temple instead. “I’m sorry, saythatagain.”
He grunted. “No, I will not, and if you tell anyone at the Courtesan I said such a thing, I will vehemently deny it.” The tapping of his finger on my chest made me laugh harder. “They wouldn’t believe you anyway. I’m the Ice Prince. I don’t relax. I’m not even human.”
I shook my head and kissed his cheek, then his jaw because I couldn’t get enough of him, and smoothed my hand over his shoulder. His skin was so soft to touch, like a man who hadn’t seen a day in the sun, but that wouldn’t surprise me when it came to Darcy. Madam Winters hated him going out of the Courtesan, and a lot of his work was in the hotel. Then there were the skin-and-beauty products their professionals used, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Darcy used them, too. If you had them, why not try them out?
“We have big plans today.” I slapped his thigh, the sound of skin-to-skin contact echoing around the quietness of the room. Outside was just as peaceful, the only noise being tweeting birds. That was what I loved about the retreat: we were away from the loudness of the city and in our own little world. “Shower and get dressed. I need to take Lemonade out.”
“I can do that for you.” He grabbed my wrist before I could slip out of bed. “You shower first.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Is this your attempt at running away? Because your mother will send you back to me if you try to hitchhike home.”
“No….” He huffed, and I didn’t miss the rasp of his breath, like he’d stopped himself from laughing. “I like Lemonade, and I want to help. It makes me feel useful.”
“Okay, I’ll let you take her out, but then I want you to join me.”
“Join you…?” he asked slowly—hesitant.
“Yes, in the shower.” I used his grip on my wrist to pull him across the bed. His forehead knocked against my chin, and with my other hand, I grasped his hair and jerked his head back, so I could lay a passionate kiss on his mouth. He moaned into me and shuddered when I nipped at his bottom lip. “I want to take care of you, wash your body.”
“I don’t think—”
“Don’t think.” I glided my palm over his back to his ass. “Just do.”
He let out a long breath. “Okay. Fine. You’re going to kill me, do you know that?”
I laughed and slapped his right asscheek. “We’re just getting started, sweet prince.”
He huffed but moved when Lemonade let out a small whine to signal she needed to go outside sooner rather than later. I listened to him pull on some sort of clothing all while murmuring to her, calling her a sweetheart and more nicknames that I wished he would use for me. The door to the bedroom opened and closed.
I slid out of bed, my feet landing on the cool wooden floorboards, and grabbed the cane I’d made sure to leave close by. I tapped it in front of me along the floor as I made my way to the bathroom. While I knew my way here at the cabin, it was always better to be safe than sorry. I’d learned that lesson more than once when I’d landed on my ass or face because I’d tripped over something.
My cane hit the doorframe of the bathroom and I stepped through it. After I’d mapped out the area and reminded myself of the locations for the massive glass shower, sink, and toilet, I placed the cane on the counter. I reached out to touch the glass and opened the door to the shower, stepping in. Turning the knobs, I got the water to a perfect temperature—steaming—and sighed, leaning my forehead against the tiled wall.
The heated water swept down the arch of my back and over my ass, soothing my sore muscles. Usually I got to the gym in the morning, but thanks to my seizure I’d been holding steady and waiting for my body to get back to normal. It hurt a lot to have every muscle I owned clench. The retreat had exercise facilities, but I wanted Darcy to unwind, and that meant yoga and massages and face masks and all that shit. My workouts could wait two weeks.
A hesitant rap on the shower door made me smile, and I straightened, opening the glass to let Darcy come in. “Are you naked?”
He snorted. “Of course I am. I’m not getting in the shower with my underwear on.”
