James smiled a little. “No, but I should, shouldn’t I? You seem more practiced than I am with navigating precarious social situations such as this one. Even if not for this particular reason.”
“Yes, I certainly am,” Cassian said with a hum. “I’ll keep you safe, my James. I promise.” He nuzzled James’s nose. “Now, in exchange for my caretaking, I’d like to receive the massage that I came here for.”
James huffed a half-laugh.
“I’ve never massaged anyone. I might not be any good at it.”
“Ah, well, as I said with regard to your writingandyour swimming, what’s necessary for improvement is for you to practice your skills.” In one fast motion, Cassian untied his robe and let it fall to the floor. James’s breath hitched as Cassian’s beautiful body came into view. “And I am more than willing to help you become a more proficient masseur.”
Swallowing thickly, James managed a nod.
“Not to worry, Mr. Morrow. I’m not so foolish as to think that the care I’m about to receive right now will be less-than-chaste.” Smirking, Cassian retrieved a towel from the massage table and wrapped it around his waist. “I’ll only ever requirethosesorts ofservices from you when we have more privacy.” He hoisted himself up on the table and lay on his front. Looking over his shoulder, he crooked an eyebrow at James, his mouth still set in that infuriatingly bewitching smile. “I’ll request those later, I’m sure, but for now, the massage.”
Oh, God, Cassian’s sense of entitlement was second to none.
How James loved it.
Letting out another light laugh, James adjusted the crotch area of his trousers, which had become a smidge too snug over the course of Cassian’s little speech, and then started over to the table. He rubbed his hands together to warm them and then snatched a bottle of massage oil off of the nearest shelf. When James removed the cap, the scent of sweet almond filled the room. Cassian hummed as though he was making note of it, too. James spread a bit of it on his hands.
“I hope this won’t be middling,” he said, only partially kidding as he pressed his fingers into Cassian’s skin and then flattened his palms.
Cassian hummed a little more.
“Never middling,” he said through a soft moan. “Exceptional. Always.”
James smiled to himself.
Over the next few minutes, James continued to work his hands up and down Cassian’s torso, massaging his shoulders and neck and back. Cassian, clearly a little inebriated, either from the whiskey he had enjoyed in the lounge or even only from lust, seemed eager to tease him, letting out the most sinful-sounding moans. James wished he could remove his clothes right then and there to take care of himself. Soon, Cassian changed positions, lifting his lower back and hips, and James had to wonder if Cassian might have excited himself with his ridiculous moans as well.
“You should rein it in a little, maybe,” James suggested in a playful tone.
Cassian laughed. “Yes, probably, though maybe I’ll just take care of myself after you leave the room.”
James pinched him, and Cassian squirmed.
“Don’t make this harder for me, please,” he begged.
“But I like you hard,” Cassian countered.
James pinched him once more, and Cassian reached back to swat at him.
“Let’stryto make it through the rest of my impromptu shift in the bath house,” James said. “I’d rather not have to end early because I’ve ruined my trousers.”
Cassian looked up at him over his shoulder.
“I suggest you refrain from pinching me, then.”
“I only pinched you because you were being overly suggestive.”
“Fine, fine,” Cassian said, rolling his eyes. “I’ll rein it in a little. I’m still pleasuring myself in here later, though.”
James flicked the back of his ear, and Cassian let out a soft “ow” before they both erupted with laughter. Afterward, James resumed the massage. Luckily, Cassian kept true to his word and refrained from moaning. Several minutes passed. James’s mind circled back to the conversation he’d overheard between Cassian and Mr. Calbot in the lounge.
“Cassian?” James asked.
“Hm?”
“Why’d you mention my pirate story to your friend?”
