“It’sourOld Tongue in Domos.”
“Interesting, I never really considered that.” He trailed his thumb over her bottom lip, sending shivers to her core.
George tipped her chin down, eyeing her own center, soaking beneath the surface. She couldn’t help but wonder if he’d make good on his promise to clean hereverywhere.He better not use soap or she’d have to stop him. “I thought you were a learned man?”
“I have my credits from the Institute, but I’ve always preferred spending my timewiththe learned, rather than being one myself. Probably why I like you so much.” He pressed a kiss to the crown of her head.
George chuckled.
“Did you mean what you said, about feeling safe with me?” His breath was hot on her hair.
“Oh, don’t make me repeat it. It was hard to get those words out.”
He dipped his head, smiling against her neck. “Because you didn’t mean them?”
“Because I mean them so much.”
His teeth scraped over her skin and he nipped her gently, sending shivers coursing out to tighten her nipples.
“I was going to say, I feel the same way,” he rumbled.
“How canIpossibly make you feel safe?” she scoffed, heels skidding against the smooth basin as she drew her knees up to her chest.
Isahn wrapped her in a hug, legs and all. His chin rested on her right shoulder, their cheeks pressed against one another as he spoke softly. “I’ve been an earl for almost three years now, after my parents’ untimely deaths—from oysters. Solaelia and I think it was poison. Intentional. And we havealways, even before my parents passed, been wary of Peros and his intentions. This is a long story for another day, but two years ago, my cousin Rihan, Peros’s son, was involved in an attempted coup. He was hung for it. Like his denial of having anything to do with my parents’ death, Peros claimed ignorance in the case against Rihan and the former prince, Nekash. I don’t know... It never sat right with me. And now there’s all of this coming to light, whatever’s going on with him and your father. He’s not to be trusted.”
“I understand.” George nodded, Isahn’s stubbled cheek scritching her skin.
“My life hasn’t been filled with as many challenges as yours, Georgetta—”
She stiffened. “Please don’t call me that.”
“Of course.”
He didn’t ask why, only acquiesced immediately, patching a hole in her heart that she hadn’t even realized was there.
“Our lives have been different, there’s no denying that,” he said. “But we’ve been looking over our shoulders for a long time. I can empathize with you in some capacity. You’ve made me feel safe from our first meeting—maybe the second.”
She laughed.
“Even when you and your friends abducted me, I hardly worried for my life?” Isahn said the last part like a question, as if even he was surprised by the fact. “Even when you were trying to be harsh with me, when you thought I was connected toyour father’s crimes, there was always a softness about you.” He nuzzled his nose into the side of her face as he chuckled at his own stupid joke.
When she turned toward him, their noses brushed and their breaths mingled. “I like feeling safe,” she breathed, lips grazing his.
“I do too. And I think more importantly, I likeyou.” Isahn’s fingers knotted in her hair as he pressed his mouth to hers, his tongue running along the seam of her lips as he sought entry.
She welcomed him. Sucking the lightest bit on the tip of his tongue before writhing against it with her own. “I like you too,” George whispered between kisses.
“Good.” He gave her a peck before pulling away as his palms slipped over her stomach, fingertips light and teasing. “Now let me finish washing you... everywhere.”
He was heartwarmingly gentle with her as he tended to her breasts and the space between her legs. Too gentle. Despite being naked together, despite his hand being exactly where she needed him, he kept it to cleaning. Next time the opportunity arose, she wouldn’t let herself leave unsatisfied.
fourteen
George learns something new.
Georgereadjustedthefibulaeon her right shoulder as a guard rapped on her father’stabliniumdoor to announce her presence. Figuring it was best to turn up before he could come looking for her, she’d left Isahn tucked away in her apartment, knowing Hildy would be stopping by soon to give him that haircut he’d asked about. Arranging it was the least George could do for him.
“Enter,” the king intoned, his harsh voice souring her stomach before she even laid eyes on him.
