I guessed whose bedroom this was, even before Zion came through the door with a mug in one hand.
“I thought I heard you stirring in here. It appears I was right. I’ve brought you coffee, and before you thank me for being overly gallant, know that heating water in the electric kettle is the very extent of my culinary skills.”
I laughed, then winced a little as I sat up in bed, making sure to keep my breasts covered this time.
I wasn’t surprised to hear he could only boil water, but I was shocked to see him dressed in joggers and a tee with ABERNATHY written across it over the kind of crest I usually associated with the Harry Potter brand. Having never seen him in anything more casual than an argyle polo, I had to comment. “I never would have guessed you actually owned casual clothes.”
“Sunday is laundry day.” Zion glanced down at his outfit with a distasteful look. But then he brightened. “Though this Sunday, I don’t mind nearly as much. After heavily contentious negotiations, I emerged the winner, and I get to spend the entire day with you.”
I dipped my chin. “You guys actually fought over getting to spend time with me?”
“Naturally,” Zion answered, handing me the coffee. “Are you not a prize?”
A prize…
I waited for the ugly feelings to come—for the mean voice to pipe up with a warning that these guys were delusional and no, Bell, you idiot, you’re not anyone’s prize.
But they never did.
Instead, warmth fluttered in my chest.All three of them wanted to spend time with me. They argued and negotiated for the privilege.
“You know what?” I realized out loud. “I kind of like getting won.”
I set the coffee cup aside with the new confidence of knowing that Zion had negotiated for this time with me. Argued for it.
My eyes dropped down to the long ridge straining against his joggers, and I let the blanket drop.
“Would you like your reward?”
His eyes darkened. “I would.”
He moved forward to stand at the side of the bed I was sitting up on and asked, “May I touch you while we conduct this next set of negotiations?”
I nodded. This time without hesitation.
“Sleeping with you in my arms was heaven.” He brought his hand up and caressed my shoulder with his knuckles. “But also torture. I’m exceedingly hard.”
“I am so very sorry.” Taking a page from his book, I layered my apology with extra dramatic effect as I peeped up at him. “How can I make it up to you?”
A smile played on his lips. “I saw you wince earlier. I believe I might need to use my mouth on you again to…” He considered his word choice for a moment. “…sootheyou before we try anything else.”
He had a point.
But I countered it with, “How about if I usemymouth onyou?”
Zion’s hand stilled on my shoulder, and his eyes took on a faint golden glow. “You want to give me your mouth?”
I nodded. Then, remembering he liked to hear the words, I answered out loud. “Yeah, I think I would.”
I smiled up at him. But for once, he didn’t smile back.
“Bell Winters.” Zion’s face was serious, bordering on grave. “I need to see your eyes.”
Here was that test again.
This time, I raised my gaze to his with ease.
He scanned my face in a way I could imagine him doing to a student he suspected of cheating.
