Thirty Three

Zeke's POV

"You're a fool," Payne growled. "You should have taken her when she begged for it."

"This isn't the time." I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to focus anywhere but on the woman stretched out in the bath, steam curling around her damp skin like a fucking invitation.

"There will never be a time if you keep waiting." Payne snarled, pacing in my mind like a caged beast. "She's ours. She wants us. Take her."

"And what then?" I muttered under my breath. "Neo will make her life hell."

"Her life is already hell. And you denying her doesn't make it any better." I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair as Sky shifted, her movements drawing my attention like a goddamn magnet.

"Zeke." She purred, lifting her legs over the edge of the bath, her wince subtle but there. My gaze locked onto the dark bruises along her thighs, my breath catching for a second before my wolf's fury overtook me.

A growl tore from my chest before I could stop it. Neo had done this. Neo had let this happen. I was going to rip his goddamn throat out. Before I could dwell on it, Sky stretched, deliberately drawing my attention back to her bare body, the way the water slicked over her skin, making her glisten in the dim light.

She dragged her hands over her breasts, massaging them, a slow, teasing moan slipping past her lips. Her fingers ghosted every so often over her nipples, teasing them with little nips and pulls, before cupping her breasts again, molding them with her soothing touch.

My hands curled into fists. I knew what she was doing.

I fucking knew.

And I should have ignored it. I should have looked away.

But I didn't.

Because I was a weak man when it came to her, Sky's breaths were coming out in shallower bursts. She edged her thighs closer to each other, no doubt trying to ignore the heat pooling between them. Her toes curled at the end of the porcelain bath.

"Fuck Sky." I groaned, making her jump as if my words had caught her off guard, grabbing her attention and reminding her I was here. Smirking at me over her knee, she put her legs back over the edge of the bath, arching up to give me a flash of her beautiful body through the milky waters.

"Fuck she is beautiful." I moaned to Payne, who moaned in agreement in my mind.

"Show her how beautiful she is," Payne demanded, but his words faded as I watched her fingers trailing lower, slipping down her stomach, down between her thighs, and my jaw locked so tight I thought my teeth might crack.

"Watch yourself," I warned, my voice low, rough, dangerous.

"Are you jealous?" She looked up at me, her blue eyes full of wicked amusement.

"Yes," Payne answered instantly. Making me snort, but I said nothing. I just gritted my teeth and watched.

"I see." Her smirk widened as she continued, deliberately slow, her fingers dancing over herself in a way that had my blood boiling, my muscles tightening with the effort to hold back.

"You're a coward," Payne sneered. "Be bold. Claim her."

"If I do this now, Neo will ruin her." I clenched my fists.

"He's already ruining her!" Payne snapped. "You think denying her makes it better?" I didn't answer. I couldn't.

Because she was laughing.

A low, husky sound as she arched into her own touch, her breath catching as her fingers slipped lower.

I warned her.

"Sky—"

She didn't stop. Didn't hesitate.

"Fuck." I snarled, reaching down and yanking the plug from the bath. Water sloshed around her, draining quickly as the chill of the air settled in.

That would stop her.

"Opps." I beamed, hoping that would cool her off.

Except— It didn't. She didn't even flinch. Instead, she tilted her head, watching me with hooded eyes as her fingers kept moving over her sweet little pussy, her breath coming in short, sharp pants.

"I can see how hard you are," she murmured, her voice all honey and sin. She purred, clearly feeling proud of herself for getting to me.

"I can see how much you want me." At that, she dipped her finger between her pussy lips and jerked slightly at the sensation.

"Oh!" she cried; I swallowed hard, refusing to react, refusing to give her the satisfaction of knowing just how fucking close I was to snapping.

She began rubbing light, little circles into the bean above her opening. Sabrina squeezed her eyes shut, feeling her mouth open against her will as she whimpered.

"Sky." I whispered, her eyes opening on me as she peeked, her body arching, her lips parting in a breathless moan as she let herself go.

The last of the water vanished, leaving her bare, exposed—glistening in the aftermath of her own pleasure.

I growled, turning away, my hands shaking with restraint. She lay there, her body relaxed, her expression softened.

She was satisfied. And I hated that I had no part in it.

"Pussy!" Payne growled; I said nothing as I reached down, lifting her from the tub, my arms tightening around her as I carried her to the bed.

She didn't protest. Didn't tease me. She just let me take care of her. I covered her with the blankets, stepping back, forcing myself to look at anything but the way her damp hair framed her face, the way her breathing had steadied, her expression peaceful.

She looked sweet.

Innocent.

Untouchable.

And we both knew she was none of those things; she was fierce, brave and strong.. and I loved her for it!

I reached the door, my hand on the handle, ready to leave, ready to walk away before I did something reckless.

"Zeke."

I froze.

"Stay with me," she murmured, her eyes still closed. "Just until I fall asleep." Her voice was soft, barely above a whisper.

I stared at her for a long moment, my pulse hammering in my ears.

I didn't answer.

I just turned—

And closed the door.