Page 67 of Gluttony
“You good?” Tony’s voice was low and rough next to her ear. She shivered at the intimacy.
Squeezing her eyes tight, she whispered, “Don’t let go.”
Twenty-One
It almost killedTony to see Bailey’s vulnerability. He lost control of his voice. No words would come. He’d gently lowered her legs but supported her weight with one arm around her waist. She could stand, but it still pained her a little. There was a hose shower head attached to the rock wall. He used it to wash most of the mess off her body, trying to make the process as quick as possible.
She endured the entire thing with her eyes squeezed shut in concentration, breathing through the water raining on her face. He gave his head and body a quick squirt and then turned off the faucet.
“Time for a bath,” he murmured. “It will be easier to soap up in there and I’ll hold you the entire time.”
Still with her eyes closed, and a frown marring her beautiful face, she nodded. Transferring her to the tub, he positioned himself behind her and lowered them at the same time. They gave a collective sigh as the heat enveloped their aching bodies. He reclined and pulled her back against his chest. The two of them comfortably took up the space with little leg bend. He wrapped his arms around her front and held her until she was ready to open her eyes.
“This smells much better than the sewers,” she said, slowly relaxing beneath his touch.
He picked up the soap the girls had given her from the caddy, but Bailey stopped him.
“I want to use what you use.”
“This is prettier.”
“I don’t want pretty. I want you.”
Bailey’s words hammered on his heart. His body reacted viscerally. Nestled between the pillows of her bottom, his cock grew thick and hard. It demanded attention. So many thoughts swirled in his head. Emotions clogged up.I don’t want pretty. I want you.
He wanted her too. So bad he ached. With his throat closing up, he lathered his shampoo into her hair, taking special care to massage her kinks. Sandalwood, spices and musk bloomed in the air. When she groaned huskily, and dipped her head back to his chest, his cock tingled and jerked. Shit, this was difficult. He’d tried to hold back his desire but her body was incredible. Slippery. Wet. Soft. Looking down her front while he massaged her hair, he was entranced, tortured. His eyes were windows to the most seductive, erotic scene. He struggled to maintain decorum. Bubbles ran down her slick brown skin, curving and swirling around her breasts, and every time she inhaled, two erect dark nipples pointed out, catching air, teasing him briefly before submerging again.
Jesus.
“I have to rinse your hair,” he mumbled, at least he thought he said that. His mouth felt like cotton.
She tensed, coming awake. Wide, panicked eyes swiveled to him. Her bottom lip trembled, betraying her lack of resilience.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got you.”
She glanced down at the water around her and inhaled deeply. “I know it’s stupid, and completely out there, but I keep thinking vines will come out of the water. They’ll sneak up on me when I’m most relaxed. It’s all I see when I close my eyes.”
“We can get out.”
“No. If I don’t face this, then this fear will turn into something worse. I won’t be beholden to another.”
Another fear? He tightened his grip across her ribs and shifted her weight so she was a little higher. He put his lips to her temple. “Do you want me to sing a song?”
A melancholy smile hit her face, giving him the courage to press on.
“I take requests,” he murmured. “But no Country.”
She scoffed. “I’m not a Country fan, anyway. Hmm. Let’s see.” She trailed a finger through the water, tracing patterns in the bubbles. “How about... Pavarotti?”
He snorted. “Um... I’m not that skilled.”
She laughed. “Taylor Swift?”
“No Country.”
“She’s not—never mind. What about ABBA? John Lennon? Ooh. Beyoncé?”
She mocked, but Queen B was one of his favorites. A real entertainer to the end. Lightened with amusement, he started to tap a gentle acoustic beat on the tub. She stopped smiling, and when he started to croon the lyrics toHalo,she twisted to watch him with avid attention.He caught the way her chest lifted and held, holding her breath captive. Seeing her rapt attention gave him the courage to continue. It was a song about walls coming down, a new addiction, and a saving grace. He’d never been that guy who asked for anything. Words of his own never came easy. And he’d never worn his heart on his sleeve, but with Bailey, he was becoming that guy.
