Page 25 of Power Twist

The message should scare me, but right now I'm just too tired to care.

Chapter Seven

Randi

The near scalding water stings my numb feet and toes as I slowly lower into the full bathtub. Only after lifting both feet out for a few seconds and dipping them back in several times does the pain subside, allowing me to settle back and enjoy the warmth and hot, humid air. If only I hadn't spilled the Jack earlier. Jutting my lower lip, I fake a pout with an exaggerated whimper. It was so tasty too. I'd kill to have its deep warmth swirling in my belly. One can never be too warm.

My pout fades into a frown. Except the guys don’t have the same thoughts. Because of me, they’re always hot, if I take Trey at his word from earlier. And that sucks for a lot of reasons. For the first time in my life, I'm not thinking about the cost of heating or cooling a house, but instead of enjoying it, I'm concerned about the needs of the other people living in the house with me. Well, kind of living in it. Hell, the boysshouldmove in considering they spend most of their time at the house anyway.

So, what’s the right call here? Be comfortable because I finally can, or think about the guys and their pit stains? You'd think it’s an easy answer, but it's not. Everything in life has been an uphill battle with lots of falling down, and now that I have it 'easy,' I want to do what I want, no holding back. Does that mean poverty Randi was a selfish bitch but too poor to show it, or have the past two years in DC changed the real me into this inconsiderate person?

That’s a terrifying thought.

I don't want to change. Don't want the power and money and 'easy life' to alter the core of who I am. But is there really a way to stop it from twisting my perspective?

Lost in thought, I raise one hand out of the tub, the steamy drips of water capturing my unfocused gaze. Just a year ago, I thanked every god I could imagine when I lowered into a hot bath, grateful for the luxury I'd never been afforded before. And now, here I am pouting because of the lack of a Jack Daniel’s-filled highball glass in my hand too.

Fuck, I suck.

With an annoyed groan at my selfish ass, I drop my head back, resting it on the hard ceramic ledge, and shut my eyes. Not a second later, a faint knock sounds from the other side of the bathroom door. At the slight whoosh of it swinging open, I peek with one eye and roll my head toward the sound to see who’s now in the bathroom with me.

“Just me, Mess.”

Shutting my eye once again, I sigh and slink lower into the warm bath. His soft footsteps barely sound over the faint sloshing of water along the edges of the tub. “What are you doing in here?” I ask. “You’ll get us in trouble, Trouble.” The right corner of my lips twitches up. Not my best line, but hey, I'm funny.

“Nope. Tank's the one who sent me in here, actually.”

My lids flick open at the closeness of his deep voice. He’s standing just beside the tub, eyes roaming along my naked body beneath the crystal clear water, his eyes growing hooded with each inch.

“Oh?” I say, my voice tight with anticipation.

Attention on my bare breasts, he reveals the hand that was tucked behind his back. A new, very full crystal highball glass dangles above me. With a slight jostle, the ice clinks against the sides like a welcoming bell. Like Pavlov’s dog, my mouth waters at the sound. Eager for a sip, I ease up to a sitting position and reach for it.

My fingertips barely brush the glass when Trey inches it higher, just out of my reach. I narrow my eyes at the mischievous glint in his. His free hand rubs along the dark scruff covering his strong jaw. “Again,” he commands, lowering the glass.

The tips of my fingers barely swipe the bottom of the glass before he lifts it higher again. Confused, I follow his gaze to where my breasts now lie on top of the bathwater.

“Seriously?”

Still not looking away, he shrugs. “I’m a man. What can I say? Naked boobs absorb all my attention.”

“Why are you here, Trouble?” I demand, covering my breasts so he’ll focus on the conversation at hand.

Trey lets out a disappointed huff. “Tank wanted someone to check on you, make sure you're okay after everything that happened tonight.” His gaze lowers to the apex of my thighs. The tip of his tongue swipes along his full lower lip. With a simple heated look from him, the water turns too hot, the earlier relaxing humidity clogging my throat. “And since you mentioned a bath, which meant you’d be naked and I'm the only one who's seen you naked, we assumed you wouldn’t be opposed to me being the one to make sure you’re okay. I told Tank I'd be in and out, hands off,” he says more to himself then me, raking a hand through his dark hair and disrupting the gelled style. The disheveled look makes me smile. This is the Trey I like best: casual, funny, mischievous. “But with you like this, beautifully naked, how can I make myself leave?” He bites his lower lip.

Two can play his little teasing game. Ensuring his full concentration is on my center, I draw my knees up and rest them along the sides of the tub. His eyes widen. The tub shakes as Trey dares a step closer, slamming his shins against the edge.

“Why leave?” My pulse thunders in my ears.

His chest heaves, eyes still locked between my thighs.

“Touch yourself,” Treys says, his voice so guttural I barely recognize it.

My skin heats to an uncomfortable level, sweat beading along my brow and upper lip. His hooded gaze meets mine. I suck in a quick breath at the desire behind his eyes.

“Now, baby.”

I glance at the closed door.Please let it be locked.Self-conscious of my actions, I slowly glide a hand through the water, barely caressing my stomach before skimming lower.

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