Page 52 of Saint

He hated that coffee table with a passion. Could barely even bring himself to look at it when he walked by.

“I’m not a royal, Songbird. I’m an Imperial,” Lake replied cockily.

Nix rolled his eyes.

The bedroom was every bit a mess as outside, but Lake shut the door behind them and went straight for the bathroom. He set Nix down on the closed toilet seat and turned to start the large clawfoot tub in the corner.

Doing so gave Nix a good view of his naked form, and his brow winged up when he caught sight of Lake’s back.

And the nail marks that trailed down it.

There were mild cuts on the backs of his thighs and over the curve of his muscular ass as well. Even a few hickies and love bites, some worse than others. Nix only recalled creating some of them, a bit shocked to see how aggressive he’d gotten in the throes of passion.

“You didn’t bite the right spot.” At some point, Lake had finished adjusting the bath and had turned and caught Nix staring. “Or hard enough.” He tilted his head, exposing the side of his neck. “Want to give it another try?”

Nix gulped and looked away.

“Don’t be so timid.” He moved back over to where Nix sat. “I’m offering my throat to you. You could make me bleed a thousand times over, and I’d welcome it every time.”

Nix scowled. “What’s gotten into you?”

Lake chuckled. “Actually, I’m the one who’s gotten into you. It’s greatly improved my mood. Don’t tell me I’m the only one who feels it?”

Okay. He’d bite. “Feels what?”

“Our connection.” Lake pressed a palm over Nix’s heart, the corner of his mouth tipping up. “I can feel how excited having me near makes you, even though we’ve done it dozens of times today.”

“That’s called nervousness.” He pushed his hand away, but the Imperial remained undeterred.

Lake pressed his lips to the top of Nix’s head gently. “Call it whatever you wish. It doesn’t matter. The only thing I care about is you and the fact that you’re finally mine.” His touch turned more demanding when he captured Nix’s chin and forced his gaze up so their eyes met. “Youaremine, Phoenix Monroe. Say it.”

He licked his dry lips, but any resistance he may have summoned prior to last night had drained from him, much like his energy. If Lake needed to hear it so badly, what did it matter anyway? Nix could do that for him.

It wasn’t like it was a lie.

“Yeah,” he drawled, somehow managing to put a little bit of attitude in his words despite his thoughts, “I am. You have me.”

“And I can do with you as I please.”

His eyes narrowed slightly but when those fingers tightened on him he gave in. “Yeah. You can do whatever you want with me. I belong to you.”

Lake grinned, but Nix wasn’t done.

“But,” he continued, “if you want your things to last, you have to take care of them.”

The tub clicked behind him, indicating it was full, and Lake gave him a sardonic smile.

“Hey!” Nix found himself tossed over the Imperial’s shoulder faster than he could blink, carried over to the tub, and submerged in the hot water in a flash. “Good Light!” His body stung at the sudden contact and he swore, trying to climb back out.

Lake, he’d sat before him, pulled him back in, securing him in his lap. The asshole laughed as Nix’s struggles splashed water over the edge, catching Nix’s arms at his sides before he placed his mouth against the healed mark on Nix’s neck.

Nix stilled instantly.

“You were being a brat just now,” Lake whispered against that spot, causing Nix to shiver.

“It stings.” The water was too hot and his bruised and rubbed raw parts were too sensitive. “Did you put anything in it?”

“In it?” Lake frowned.

---