Page 23 of Deep Within Me

Why? Because Carreon was still out there and would soon be hunting Zeke again? Because Zeke’s people wouldn’t be mollified for long? They’d demand that she and her father leave? Because—

Her thoughts paused at Zeke’s mouth on her nipple. He flicked the tip with his tongue then swept it over her areola’s bumpy contours. His mouth’s heat and the rasp of his beard-roughened skin against hers brought a new thrill.

On a pleased moan, Liz settled her hands on either side of his head and worked her fingers through his hair to keep him from stopping.

He drew her nipple deeper into his mouth and settled his hands on her ass then squeezed those cheeks, using his touch to imprison her.

Liz never wanted to be separate from him. Her head fell back and her chin tilted upward. Zeke took that as an invitation to kiss her throat.

My God.

Warmth and yearning poured through Liz at the softness of his lips, the wet heat of his tongue. She sighed in willing surrender to whatever Zeke wanted to do, whatever pace hepreferred. She was his. Had been from the moment he’d first mounted her in Carreon’s stronghold, his cock stretching, using her sheath. That evening, he’d taken her with a master’s right while also delivering exquisite pleasure.

At the time, she hadn’t expected to drown in his strength and passion. She’d been there merely to heal him.

It was what her heritage and gift demanded…at least until tonight.

Her desire receded as she recalled Zeke’s earlier behavior. Why hadn’t he wanted her to heal Jacob, Samuel, or anyone else who might have needed her help? Why hadn’t he stripped her the moment they’d come in here then pulled her on the bed, unable to wait a second longer to plow inside her cunt?

She knew that was what he wanted to do, could feel it, and yet he kept holding back.

Was he worried she hadn’t fully recovered from Carreon’s attack? Didn’t he trust that her father’s healing…the reanimation…would last?

Liz ached for answers but didn’t speak. Zeke had asked her not to bombard him with questions. To simply hold him and follow his lead.

He lifted her bloodstained tee over her arms, past her head, and tossed it aside. The garment landed on a chair near his bed. A beige-and-brown Indian blanket covered its seat, its bold geometric designs similar to the blankets draped across the mattress.

Zeke stepped away from her and kicked off his suede moccasins. His large feet and long toes were as masculine as the rest of him, urging Liz to fall to her knees. To kiss and lick his toes then draw each into her mouth.

With all the will she owned, Liz resisted because what she really wanted was to have him nude. Hell, she craved that as she had nothing else.

While she studied the impressive bulge between his legs, Zeke placed his hand on the limestone wall. Somehow, the rock morphed into a mirror, no different from the limestone in Jacob’s bath. Days ago, she’d been in there with him and Zeke. When she’d neared that wall, it had turned into a mirror too, showing her reflection. A phenomenon that still surprised her and now brought a wave of dismay.

Her hair was a mass of hopeless tangles, dark circles discolored the skin beneath her eyes, and her jeans were filthy with dirt, blood, and who knew what else. She spoke without thinking. “I look really shitty.”

“Bullshit.” Zeke swept her into his arms. He was so strong, he made it seem as though she weighed nothing.

Easily, Liz snuggled into him and glanced at his bed.

After a moment’s hesitation, he bypassed it.

Not a good thing. “Where are we going?” she asked.

“Bathroom.”

“Why?”

He pressed his mouth to her ear and whispered, “For a bath.”

Okay.

She expected Zeke’s bathroom to be similar in design to his brother’s. Jacob’s shower was no more than a semicircular depression in the wall, made of the same metal alloy as that in the tunnel. No glass door or showerhead was visible. Rather than pouring down, the water had misted in the enclosure and somehow drained away even though there wasn’t any visible means for it to escape.

No such shower existed in Zeke’s bath, a room that was perfectly circular. Instead, there was a large stone tub, ringed with polished rocks of various colors. Some had veins of yellow running through them that sparkled like gold. Zeke put Liz down and touched one of the larger rocks. Instantly, water pouredinto the tub from between the smooth stones, splashing merrily over several of them. Frail threads of steam rose from the tub, the water scented with something fresh and sweet Liz couldn’t immediately identify.

“Wow,” she breathed. “This is amazing. Better than a rock star’s pad.”

Zeke grinned. “You have no idea.” He touched the wall. The entire area, including the ceiling, turned into a mirror. Behind it was that same golden glow. Subtle. Romantic.

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