“Amuse me.”
The small smile that sits at the corner of his mouth shrinks as his eyes darken. “It's not all that funny,” he admits, making my heart skip.
“Then distract me with it?” I ask, desperation clawing at me, and he gives me a pointed look.
“You can't keep doing that,” he states, and my eyebrows furrow in confusion.
“Doing what?” I push back, and he runs his tongue along his bottom lip as he tilts his head.
“Distracting yourself with the problems of others so you don't have to face your own.”
I pout, slightly irritated by his observation. “Call me out on it tomorrow. For now, tell me your thoughts,” I insist, and he scoffs.
“You're a handful.”
I can sense him mentally taking a step back, and I can’t stand it.
“Join me,” I blurt, and he shakes his head. “Please?” I beg, against my better judgment. “Our little bath together was interrupted when Ocean had a solution to help Kael. Let me cash in on that raincheck. I want that feeling again,” I plead, recalling his warm embrace engulfing me as we sat with my back to his chest in the heated water.
“What feeling?” he pushes, and I gulp, almost embarrassed to say it.
“Safety,” I admit, and his jaw falls while the darkness in his eyes takes a twist. But to my surprise, he pushes off the vanity and silently strips.
His t-shirt goes first, followed quickly by his shorts, and I fight back the groan when I realize he wasn't wearing anything underneath them. To my relief, he doesn't waste any further time approaching me in the shower, stepping under the spray without hesitation as he cups my cheek, tilting my head back, and leaning his forehead against mine.
I sway in his embrace, and the feeling that I was chasing instantly wraps around us.
“I love you, Elodie,” he murmurs, forcing myeyes wide as I gape at him. “Truly, I never thought I would have the chance to experience it.” His words lodge my next breath in my throat. “But even more desirable than that, I love that I can give you the strength to feel safe.”
My hands lift to his chest, but I curl my fingers so my palms aren’t flat against the muscle there. My emotions are too scattered right now for me to be confident in my control, especially as confusion takes root inside of me. But he’s having none of it, plastering my palms against his chest without care.
“Rion,” I murmur, and he offers me one of those sweet half smiles as he brushes his thumb across my cheek.
His mouth is a wisp away from mine as he speaks. “My childhood was fucked up. I think that's why I reacted so manically to your scars,” he explains, using his free hand to ghost his fingertips over my back, and for the first time, the touch doesn't come with the memories of pain, only comfort.
“You only think?” I muse, referring to his reaction to my scars, and he huffs.
“Iknow,” he corrects. “Because of you, I know many things. I'll share them with you soon, but I can’t right now. It will only encourage you to hideaway from the world, from yourself, and that's not going to be good for anyone,” he states, his breath whispering over my lips.
“Rion, I—” I interject, but he pushes the tip of his thumb against my lip, stopping the rest of my sentence.
“I know you need the distraction, something to numb the pain,” he states, making me pause as he reads my body without needing words. “But I can’t help you retreat like that. I won’t. Instead, I’ll offer you a distraction that will make youfeel,” he breathes, bringing his hand from my back to my front as he ghosts his thumb over my taut nipple, and I whimper.
His lips brush against mine, but not in a kiss, not like I so desperately need. Instead, he leans back, reaching for the body wash as I stand helplessly, watching his every move.
Without a word, he lathers up the product in his hand and gives me his full attention. Starting at my feet and making his way up my legs, one by one, he washes me. His touch on my thighs is enough to steal my breath, and I whimper when he bypasses my core, moving straight to my stomach. Composed, he winds his hands over my arms, across my collarbone, and down my back. Everynerve ending is alive, desperate for his attention in the exact spots he refuses to give it.
“Rion,” I croak, bringing his eyes to mine, but he doesn't speak as he nudges me back under the spray, letting the suds wash away.
All too quickly, he shuts off the water and lifts me off my feet, pinning me to his chest as he steps out of the shower. Effortlessly, he reaches for a towel as he marches from the room. I'm so enthralled by him, I go willingly, without question, and only startle when he stops at the foot of the bed.
“This isn't your room,” I murmur, and he grins.
“It's not yours either,” he says with a smirk.
“It's Kael’s,” I clarify, and his smirk grows wider.
“He won't mind.”
