Page 112 of Hale Yes
When Nicolette texts me that she’s getting out of the sunken tub, I turn the sauce on low and rest the pussy spoon on the spoonrest before hauling ass upstairs. I find her wrapped in one of my fluffy white towels, the loose curls at her nape damp from the hot bath.
“Okay, can I just say that I love your bathtub? It has spoiled me for baths now.”
I lead her to the counter and unwrap the towel. “You are welcome to come bathe at my house any time, baby. Now lean forward.” Snagging the arnica cream from the cabinet, I smooth a generous amount over her ass cheeks. The redness is no longer visible, masked by the pretty flush from her time in my luxurious bathtub.
When I’m done, I turn her around and kiss her thoroughly. “Thank you for taking care of me,” she says, her voice sweet and vulnerable. I like that she shows me this side of her, so I kiss her again.
“I have sauce on the stove. Come down when you’re ready.”
Winding my way down the stairs, I hear a noise from my kitchen, but I’m not worried. I know who it is before I even turn the corner. I recognize my twin immediately, even though he’s got his back to me.
Phoenix senses me before I say anything—it’s a twin thing—and says, “This sauce smells fucking good.”
Holy fucking hell. He’s holding the pussy spoon and lifting it to his lips.
“Stop!” I yell, rushing over and snatching the spoon from his hand and splattering sauce all over. “Don’t eat that.”
“Whoa, okay,” he says, lifting both hands in surrender. “I didn’t know you were so sensitive about sharing food with your brother.”
“I’m not sensitive,” I tell him indignantly as I set the spoon down and start cleaning up the mess. “You just can’t eatthissauce.”
Phoenix’s face morphs into one of horror, and he retches. “Oh my god,” he gasps, making another gagging sound. “Did you jizz in it?”
I burst out laughing and smack him upside his stupid head. “No, you moron, but…” I pick up the spoon and give it a long lick while giving him a pointed look.
He seems to get the picture, somewhat anyway, and finally stops making puke noises. Again, the twin brain thing.
“I’ll be damned. You kinky motherfucker. What exactly did you do with that spoon?”
“None of your business,” I tell him, spotting a blob of sauce I missed and quickly swiping it away. I have a housekeeper that cleans twice a week, but I’m very conscious of cleaning up after myself. I’m a grown-ass man and not some frat boy punk who expects someone else to pick up my messes.
“Phoenix, hey!” We both turn to see Nicolette entering the kitchen barefoot and wearing my navy-blue bathrobe. It swallows her, and she looks adorable in it.
“Hey, shorty,” he says, crossing to her and curling an arm around her neck to give her a kiss on the top of her head. A possessive feeling creeps up my spine, but it’s not exactly jealousy. Not where my twin is concerned. I trust him more than anything.
Phoenix has always been my person, but watching them together, I can see there’s room for Nicolette to situate herself beside him in our circle of trust. I like the thought of that, havingtwopeople.
“I’m not short,” Nicolette protests. “You two are just freakishly tall.”
My twin widens his eyes, placing a hand over his heart. “How did you know I was a freak? I mean, I know you’re aware of how this guy operates.” He glances at the spoon and then at me, and I give him a murderous glare.
Nicolette shoves him playfully and laughs. “You are so crazy. Are you staying for dinner?”
“No!” Phoenix and I say together.
We lay in my bed facing each other late that evening. One of Nicolette’s legs is between mine, and she’s wearing one of my T-shirts. I never knew how much I would like that. She traces the lines of my shoulder and arm before leaning in to kiss the scar on my shoulder.
“What happened here? Did you have surgery?”
My eyes dart down to the ugly scar with her pretty lips against it. “I did. Five years ago.”
She nuzzles her head beneath my chin. “Is that why you stopped swimming competitively?”
I hesitate before answering. “Yes. It ended my career.”
“I’m sorry. I know that must have been hard.” She lays a soft kiss on my neck. “You can talk to me about it if you want.”
Pulling her closer, I absorb the warmth of her body against mine and feel the need to tell her everything. But I don’t.
