“I can. They accept what we have as real ‘cause I saw you in all that they’d done to you.”
Kylo’s quiet response got his eyes to open. His mate was crouched at the side of the bath, looking as filthy as Conrad had been. With effort, he sat up, water splashing over the rim of the bath. “Strip and get in here.” He grinned at Kylo. “You’re stinking up the place.”
Amusement flashed in Kylo’s dark eyes. He wiped a hand on a cloth before rising and slowly stripping off his blood-stained clothes. The red splatters over his features couldn’t be ignored.
Kylo clambered in behind him. The water crested the rim once more as he settled, and Conrad turned, reached for a cloth, and dipped it in the water to wash his mate’s face. He took his time, and only when satisfied did he move on.
When he reached Kylo’s cock, it bobbed in the warm water. As he reached for it, Kylo glanced towards the door. “Not in here.”
“Why?” Conrad questioned, his hand reaching for the hard flesh, his eyes sparkling with need. Now some of his energy had returned, he wanted to feel his mate’s ass clench his cock.
A blush coated Kylo’s cheeks. “Mom is on the other side of the door, and this is her bathroom!”
Kylo roared with laughter when Conrad, who had never moved his hand so fast before, stared in horror at the door, half expecting to see Kylo’s mom watching them. “Why didn’t you say before!” he stated in a hushed, reprimanding tone.
Water splashed everywhere as Kylo sat up and cupped Conrad’s face. “Now, what would have been the fun in that?”
Conrad scowled or tried to. He gave in and laughed, coming forward to kiss his mate. “You know I’ll make you pay for this later.”
“I’m counting on it,” Kylo murmured against his lips. “I’m counting on it.”
~/~/~/~
After a solid twenty-four hours of sleep and his body weight in food, along with some sexy time with Kylo, Conrad had never felt better. In fact, he felt utterly amazing as he strolled behind Kylo, who was looking hot as fuck in low-slung sweats and an old, ripped T-shirt that gave him peeks of flesh.
“Don’t even think it.” Kylo glanced back, grinning. “My ass needs a rest. And we promised Mom we’d come down for dinner. She’ll only nagus.”
“I do not nag,” Mom called from the kitchen.
An eye roll from Kylo had Conrad pressing his lips together to stop the laughter from escaping. He patted Kylo’s ass as he passed. “I’m sure I can persuade your ass it likes me later,” he whispered, loving the indrawn breath at his promise and the ridge of color on Kylo’s cheekbones.
Conrad strolled into the kitchen and came to a stop at the decorated table, and everyone sitting around it. Kylo sailed past him, not appearing to think anything was out of the ordinary as he went and kissed his mom’s cheek.
Unsure if he’d missed something, Conrad went to the table.
Nori patted the seat next to him, his gaze appraising him. “You’re looking better.”
“Better than what?” Conrad asked as he took the seat.
“Than death warmed up, which was how you looked when Kylo brought you home,” Nori explained, and for his trouble, he got a scowl from Kylo and a head shake from his dad.
Nori shrugged, looking chagrined. “What? I was just saying he looks better.”
Slapping Nori on the shoulder, Conrad gave him a wide grin. “Thanks, I think.”
Mom carried a large pot to the table, while Kylo had two smaller ones with steaming vegetables and potatoes.
The food was dished up, and Conrad listened as the family talked about general stuff. Not death. Not what had happened. Not about Selina. It was all so…normal.
This is my life. Shit… this is my life!
Yes, it is. Now eat, or Mom is gonna nag you.
As if to prove him right, she looked at Conrad’s untouched plate. “Is there something wrong?”
Picking up his cutlery, he gave her his brightest smile. “Not a damn thing.”
“Good, then eat up.” Her look of approval warmed his heart when she took a moment to watch him tuck in.
