Thirty Two

Sky POV

The heat of the bath danced across my skin; it should have relaxed me, but it didn't. Instead, I held my breath. Zeke's fingers ghosted over my back, the warm sponge trailing along my skin with an unbearable slowness that sent shivers rippling through my body. His touch was maddening—firm yet careful, reverent but teasing, igniting something dangerous under my skin.

I clenched my jaw, willing myself not to make a sound.

Not to moan.

Not to give him the satisfaction.

Because if I did, if I let even the smallest sound slip past my lips, I knew he'd never let me forget it.

The bathwater lapped gently around me, the soft sound mingling with my ragged breathing. I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling in a slow, uneven rhythm as Zeke dragged the sponge over my shoulder, the heat of his palm pressing against my skin as he flicked my hair over one side, exposing my neck.

I shuddered.

His fingers lingered, his thumb brushing over the sensitive skin just below my ear, his breath fanning over my damp shoulder.

I turned my head slowly, looking at him from beneath hooded lashes.

He was already watching me. His mismatched eyes were dark burning, his expression unreadable except for the way his tongue darted out to wet his lips, his teeth sinking into the soft flesh as if biting back a need.

"Nervous?" A smirk curled at my lips. His gaze snapped to mine, sharp and heated. His lips parted, and for a moment, I thought he was going to deny it.

But then—

His lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk.

I wanted to push him. I wanted to see just how far I could go before he snapped.

"What are you planning, little demon?" He asked, making me smile wider; he knew me, and truly, he did, and I was only just realising that.

"I don't know what you mean." I taunted, winking at him over my shoulder. Slowly, deliberately, I turned in the bath, shifting beneath the water, my body revealing itself inch by inch as the water rippled away from me.

The cool air tightened my nipples, and I saw the way his eyes flicked downward, how his throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.

"Problem?" I asked with a grin that made my jaw ache as I leaned back against the tub, stretching my arms along the edge, my breasts rising above the water's surface.

"You haven't washed these yet," I murmured, nodding to my chest, watching his reaction with interest.

"They don't look dirty." He snorted, arching a brow.

"They don't?" I asked, cupping them in my hands and lifting them up to inspect, ignoring the pain that shot through my ribs.

"Sky." He laughed as he watched me push them together and eye him carefully before slowly, deliberately spitting on my nipples and rubbing my large breasts together.

"They look dirty to me." I teased. For a moment, I thought he might back away, might shake his head and tell me to stop being a tease.

But then—

He leaned forward, dragging his chair closer until his knees bumped against the edge of the tub, the sound all you could hear as my breath hitched in my throat.

A slow, wicked grin spread across his lips as he grabbed the sponge, covering it with soap and seductively moving while keeping his eyes locked on my slowly burning cheeks.

"My mistake," he murmured.

The first touch of the sponge sent heat bolting through my stomach.

Zeke moved slowly, dragging the soapy cloth over my skin, the texture rough but sensual as he massaged my breasts with careful, deliberate movements.

I rolled my shoulders, my head falling back slightly as a moan slipped past my lips.

His hands were strong, his fingers pressing into my skin just enough to have my thighs clenching beneath the water.

The way he touched me wasn't just careful—it was possessive.

As if he was savouring this.

As if he had waited for this.

The sponge slipped lower, circling over my ribcage before gliding back up, his thumbs grazing my hardened nipples through the lathered suds.

I shuddered.

"Zeke," I breathed, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes flicked to mine, the heat in them devastating.

He knew exactly what he was doing.

And he was enjoying every second of it.

The water lapped around me as I shifted, my body responding to his touch in ways I didn't want to admit. My head rested against the rim of the tub; my gaze locked onto him as his hands moved with calculated precision.

He was teasing me.

But it wasn't enough.

I wanted more. With a slow, deliberate movement, I reached for his hand.

Zeke stilled.

I slid his hand beneath the water, moving it down, lower, toward the ache between my thighs. His breath hitched. For a moment, I thought he would give in like he just had.

But then—

He tutted, shaking his head, his grip tightening slightly as he refused to move any lower.

"Sky." His voice was a low, husky murmur. "No."

Heat flushed through my body, frustration tightening in my core as he pulled his hand away slightly, his thumb brushing over my inner thigh but going nowhere near where I needed him.

I exhaled sharply, my nails gripping the edge of the tub as he leaned in, his lips barely inches from my ear.

"You want it, Sky?" His voice was rough, teasing, dripping with amusement.

Sucking in a breath, I nodded because fuck did I! I wanted him in now, no games, no waiting.

"Make it worth my while."

My eyes snapped to his, my lips parting in disbelief.

Cocky. Bastard. My smirk returned. I held his gaze as I snapped my thighs shut, trapping his hand between them for a moment before slowly releasing him.

Zeke let out a low, breathy chuckle, shaking his head. I leaned forward slightly, smirking up at him.

"I don't beg for anything," I murmured. My eyes flicked to his lips before meeting his gaze again.

"And I never ask twice."