Page 94 of Afraid to Hope

Natasha gave him a saucy smile and proceeded toward the master. Her gait wasn’t as fluid as usual because her stiff, aching muscles.

“You’re sorer today.”

“Yes.”

“The long car ride didn’t help. I’ll turn the water on to almost hot. I promise to give you my best effort with my magic fingers. Loosen you up,” he said, following her into the spacious bathroom.

Natasha and Bane brushed their teeth while the water warmed up. Bane held out twoacetaminophenand a glass of water. “They were in my kit.”

“Thank you, babe.”

Bane kissed her slowly, so tenderly it made her tremble.

Their eyes locked as they took their time undressing one another, savoring each touch, every gaze, the nectar of each other’s skin.

They entered the shower together and began to wash and rinse. Tongues tasted and mouths suckled. Teeth nipped.

Bane guided her to face the wall and her hands to the safety bars on either side of the shower. “Does this make you more uncomfortable?”

“No.”

“Drop your chin.” Bane’s fingers moved through the tangles of her thick, wet hair and over her scalp, kneading, releasing the tension she had no idea was there. She dropped her chin lower and moaned in pleasure as his fingers dropped to her neck, working the tension out, the pads of his fingers whispering over her throat where her pulse hammered.

“You have a good grip?”

“That feels incredible. I do,” she said breathlessly, almost faint with desire.

“Good. I like you spread out like this, beauty. If you get more sore or uncomfortable, let me know. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m trying to ease the pain.”

“I ache,” she murmured.

One of his hands skimmed her belly and dipped inside her soaking sex. “Here?”

“Yes,” she whispered, bucking against his fingers.

“I want you to ache, beauty.” His other hand drew feathery serpentines over her belly, then splayed, pressing her against his thick length as he thrust his fingers deeper.

She gasped.

“Burn for me.” Bane’s fingers worked her slick, hungry channel slowly, then withdrew, leaving her panting. His hands returned to her, massaging the skin of her shoulders and back, gently working over the tender areas, the warm water adding to his sensual attention. Often, his lips trailed his fingers. “How’re you doing?”

“Much better. The acetaminophen is kicking in.”

“Hmm. Good.” His talented fingers pressed on either side of her spine and traveled leisurely down her back to knead the contours of her ass. Bane’s mouth joined his fingers and thumbs and he renewed his nibbling and kissing.

Natasha moaned and shivered.

Bane stood and turned her around, moving his thigh between hers, working her legs apart. “Nat?”

“Please, babe.” She had to have him fill her.

Bane covered her mouth with his and thrust deep. Home.

Reality hit Natasha with full force when she woke. Their mission would end with their debriefing with Emmet that afternoon. Who knew where either one of them would end up. Bane was American, a Midwest man, an elite, retired military soldier who contracted himself out, intent on bringing down the bad and ugly in this world. She was a South African orphan, raised in France and Morocco, an academic and INTERPOL contractor, a woman without a country.

She loved him more every day, and it had been easier to embrace it after she had acknowledged her feelings that night in Imouzzer du Kandar, when Bane had opened up to her about his past and they had slept under the stars. Their relationship had only intensified, and she wanted more time to learn about him, to enjoy being with him. Bane embodied everything that attracted her—strength of character, intelligence, humor, honesty, a handsome face, the body of a god. He challenged her to be a better version of herself, to face her past and her truths, to understand herself. In turn, she gave him a solid foundation who listened and didn’t judge, and she met him as his partner.

Bane slept on his stomach, his powerful limbs splayed out over most of the bed. A body that could kill in an instant or be incredibly tender and make her entire body come apart. His dark and light layers fascinated her.

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