She didn’t look convinced, worrying her lower lip.
“I just didn’t feel well, but I still should have let you—”
“Letus?” My heart shattered.Dark take me.
“The menstrual cycle causes significant hormonal fluctuations that affect not only your reproductive organs, but your entire endocrine system,” Professor Cimmerian began. “The hormones estrogen and progesterone drop precipitously, which triggers the shedding of your uterine lining. This process causes prostaglandins to increase, which are responsible for the cramping sensation as your uterus contracts to expel—”
I reached up and clamped my hand over his mouth, cutting off what promised to be an excruciating anatomy lesson.
“We knew you were uncomfortable. Hell, I can see even fabric brushing against your chest hurts you right now because you’re so sensitive.”
Her blush deepened, spreading down her neck.
“It’s my, um… They’re tender. But it should be over tomorrow,” she added quickly. “It’s never lasted longer than five days.”
“That’s five daystooooomany!” yodeled a voice before our bedroom door flew open with a loud crash.
Zane appeared at the threshold, swaying slightly. Behind him, in the hallway light, I could see Brumous going around and around in a circle before finally plopping down on the soft carpet outside our door.
Cas and I let out synchronized sighs. With reluctance, he rolled off of us and stood, intercepting Zane as he made a beeline for Seri’s bathroom instead of ours.
“Cold shower. Now.” He hauled Zane along by his belt loop like a misbehaving kitten. “Did you drink the coffee?”
“Three mugs! Black as your soul!Seeeeeriiiii, tell Simmy your Zoodle is perfectly sober now, thank you veddy much!”
Instead of dealing with Zane’s shit, Seri stared at Brummy, her eyes concerned.
“He really is fine, beloved,” I assured her, brushing a stray curl from her face.
“Thanks to you.”
She leaned down and trailed open-mouthed kisses along my throat to my chest, where her tongue circled my nipple before shesucked it between her lips, giving it a gentle bite that sent electricity straight to my groin.
“Serafina,” I warned as my dick hardened against her thigh. Despite her enthusiasm, I was still wary of pushing her when she was uncomfortable.
“Do we have something I can use to, um, rub you with?” She looked at me with those big gray eyes, and my brain short-circuited, trying to process her question through the haze of desire.
“You mean lubrication?” Cas asked, saving me.
“I guess?” She tilted her head to one side with curious eyes.
With a tiny smirk that looked downright wicked on his usually blank face, Cas headed into our bathroom. As he opened the door, we heard water splashing and Zane’s muttered monologue.
“Take that. And that. Yeah, that’s right. You messed with the wrong Cimmerian, muthafuckahs! Die, die, die!”
Cas returned a moment later with a bottle of lube, holding it out to Seri as she and I exchanged puzzled looks.
“Don’t tell me there are ants or spiders in the shower,” she asked with alarm.
“Bubbles.” A nearly silent snicker escaped Cas. “He’s stomping bubbles.”
Zane, deadly assassin and telepathic powerhouse, engaged in mortal combat with bubbles? The image was too much, and Seri and I cracked up. I never would have thought that desire could be funny, but I was learning that, with her,everythingcould have joy in it.
Still giggling, she rolled off of me and reached for the towel around Cas’ waist. His breath caught as her fingers unknotted the terry cloth and let it drop to the floor.
“Teach me how to use this.” She held up the bottle of lube with one hand, the other wrapping around Cas’ dick as he stood before her.
Of course, he took it in stride. He was Casimir fucking Cimmerian. His hands were steady as he showed her how to warm the lube between her palms before applying it, and I grinned as her brow furrowed, the tip of her tongue poking through her teeth, as she concentrated.
