Our foreheads brushed, and our lips found each other. The kiss began soft and careful, as though to soothe and heal one another. Gently, Zioh lowered me until my feet touched the wet floor, never breaking the bond of our lips.
His free hand slid to my nape, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss. The kiss brimmed with his long breath, his lips shaking the same as his hands on me. The movement was slow, and he broke it only to meet my lips again with a tender brush, lingering there until the sound of my heartbeat echoed in my ears.
Kissing my teeth and sliding his tongue in, he explored my mouth, tasting. Soft snarls escaped us both, groans and sighs tangled, our kiss turning more devouring.
His strong body urged me back until I collided with the cold wall behind. It clashed with everything I was feeling. The kiss grew hotter, almost ravenous, with the shower pouring above us, intoxicating everything.
I pushed him for air, but he begged. “Please… please, baby, I need you.”
In a rush, his lips seized mine again. His hands roamed, careful at first, waiting for my reaction. When all I gave him were whimpers and gasps, he grew bolder.
His fingers tugged at my bathrobe belt, hurriedly pulling it loose. It fell away, leaving me only in the short towel I’d had earlier. Thump Thump Thump. His mouth trailed to my neck, kissing, sucking, and dragging moans out of me. “Zi…”
My breath grew ragged, especially as his fingers brushed more freely over my skin.
“My beautiful goddess...” he rasped against me. His touch sparked fire through me. I nearly buckled, but Zioh caught my waist quickly, steadying me.
A dry laugh came out of his mouth against my neck. “Hold on tight,” he whispered. His hot breath searing, and he guided my arms to wrap around his neck.
His lips brushed my cheek, trailing down, lower to my collarbone. “You taste so sweet, baby,” he kissed again. “I’m the only one blessed to feel this, right?”
The warmth of his lips made my stomach fill with fluttering butterflies. My breathing grew heavier as he whispered, “How do you do that?” I could only whimper, tugging at his hair. “How can you have me under your spell?”
His husky voice poured like a song in my ear. “Because I’ll build a bridge from hell to heaven to come back to you.”
Our breaths blended with the hot steam, dampening the walls around us. His low voice spoke again. This time, each word was weighted. “Don’t break your spell, baby.” He lifted my hand and placed a kiss upon it. “Let me be your only victim.”
I bit my lip as his lips brushed my skin again. The pleasure coursed through me, electricity tensing my muscles from my toes to my head. My cries grew louder as Zioh’s kisses sank further. “Zioh…”
“Shh,” he soothed when I shuddered. His gaze lingered long, tracing the curve of my shoulder. He looked at me through wide eyes, brimming with sparkle. “My beautiful olive.” His hand swept over my skin, caressing it, chasing away the remaining droplets.
His dark brown eyes locked onto mine. “I can’t get enough of you,” he panted, “even now.”
His affection washed over me like alcohol, leaving me intoxicated. “Zioh…” I gasped as he stroked my neck, his mouth seizing mine again.
Instinctively, my hands clutched at him, holding on tight while the fire of his mouth made me tremble. My entire body shuddered with the sensation. When he finally severed the link between us, I slumped, leaning into the steady warmth of his chest.
With soft movement, he turned my head to the side and pressed a kiss to my shoulder, which he hadn’t touched before, and slowly moved up to my neck. My breath hitched, and a breathy sound left my mouth, revealing how much I liked the tingling sensation his lips sent through me. Then, his lips lingered behind my ear, and I called him. “Zi…”
“Yes, baby?”
I turned my head, meeting his eyes, searching for certainty. “I feel… strange.”
“I know…”
He kissed me again, deeper, then he pulled away and whispered against my ear. “I know, baby, it’s all right.” His breath grazed my neck, and I melted against him. “I’ll make it up to you,” he whispered, his voice shaking. “I’m sorry, baby, I’m so sorry.”
His body started to shake, and without hesitation, I pulled him into a tight embrace. All the heat I’d felt before gathered in my heart and eyes. I pressed a kiss to his chest, and Zioh hugged me back. His hand trembled as he held me close, drawing a long breath from my hair, and kissing it again and again.
Until the sudden blare of a bell shattered everything.
A woman’s voice followed soon after, spilling into the room from the panel where Zioh had turned on the light earlier.
“Zioh?” A woman called out.
The bell chimed again. And again. Relentless.
“Sir...?!” The voice grew more urgent, impatient. It was Natasha. “Hello? Zioh! I’ve brought the clothes you requested!” She was practically shouting now, muttering complaints as though shivering in the cold.
