Page 21 of Room Twenty-Seven: Theirs to Punish

“Good idea,” Luke agrees. “Come on. I'm sure you could use one, too.”

“No offense.” Nik snorts, holding up his hands when I look his way. “I'll share a lot of things, but I like to take showers without two other guys. Go ahead, though. I'm getting something to eat.” He heads to the large open kitchen with its shiny appliances and a fridge with a glass door. My mouth waters at the sight of the food inside, but what my body needs most is rest.

The bathroom makes my mouth water, too, for a different reason. “This is beautiful,” I breathe, taking in the marble, the heated floors under my feet, and the enormous, glass-walled shower stall. Everything is so modern, down to a touch screen on the wall that lets the user set the temperature of the water and the number of showerheads they want to use. Soon, water sprays from five different locations, including overhead. They thought of everything.

None of us wastes any time taking off our clothes, and I have to smile as we step into the stall, where we're immediately engulfed in steam. I'm getting into the shower with two men. This is bizarre, but I'm not uncomfortable. I'm just the opposite. I could get used to this.

Especially once they both turn their attention to me. I'm soon lost in sensation between the high-powered spray massaging my muscles and their soapy hands all over me. I can't focus on any one thing at a time, so I don't bother trying. Instead, I close my eyes and give myself over to the sweet pleasure of being cared for, touched, and worshipped. There’s intimacy in it, but besides vague arousal, there’s nothing sexual about this. Maybe I’m too worn out.

They clearly aren’t. By the time they’re finished, both of them are hard, but neither of them asks anything from me. If I wasn't already wiped out, I might offer a little relief, but what I need more than anything is sleep.

Once we finish, they pull fluffy towels from a warmer and dry me off before wrapping me in a thick robe. I feel like a new woman by the time they're through, and when I see Nik waiting outside the bathroom door, I can offer him a satisfied smile. “This place is incredible.”

“You think that's nice, you should see my place.” Bane offers a wink that makes me laugh.

“Later. Come on. Let's put you to bed.” Nik looks at Bane, then Luke, and a silent conversation takes place among them before he steers me down the hall and through the open bedroom door.

“We'll see you tomorrow,” Luke offers before Nik closes the door, leaving us alone in his enormous bedroom. It’s decorated in a minimalist style that I appreciate. He never did like clutter.

Only one picture sits on top of a large dresser, and it immediately catches my eye. Not only because it’s the only personal decor in this room but also because the people inside the thick black square draw me in. I step closer to take a better look.

“First year of college,” Nik explains when he realizes what I’m looking at. “My dad came for a visit, and we hung out for the first time in many years.”

I take in the image of the younger versions of Bane and Nik, their arms wrapped around their dad. Oliver looks just like I remember him. Handsome and kind. He always had this calmness about him. A kind of strength that makes you feel safe. Oh, how I missed that.

“Thank you for being so kind.” It feels sort of pitiful to say that, but that's how I feel. After everything that happened, I wouldn't blame him if he never wanted to look at me again.

He doesn't say anything, undressing instead, then pulling back the blankets on his king-sized bed. “Let's get some sleep. It's been a long night.” I can't argue with that, so I drop my robe and crawl into bed, my bare skin sliding over satin sheets before I curl up on my side for him to spoon me from behind. There is something so right about it, like this was what my soul needed. I was already relaxed from the shower, but now my muscles are loose, and I feel myself sinking deeper and deeper into comfort.

“You did your part, and I'll do mine,” he murmurs, and his breath tickles my ear while his arm tightens around me, pulling me closer. “We're even, like you said. I can let go now.”

The emotion that swells in my chest surprises me. I didn't know until now how much I wished he could stop hating me. I didn't know how much I depended on it. Now, it's like the sun shines on me, and I'm drenched in its warmth. I want to turn my face toward the sky and soak up as much of this feeling as I can because I'm so afraid it will go away. I don't want this to go away.

And I want to tell him so. I want to know if he feels the way I do and if some missing piece of his life has finally fallen into place. Like things make sense now, and he has everything he needs.

Yet all that comes out when I open my mouth is a yawn. He chuckles, brushing his lips against my neck and shoulder. “Get your sleep now,” he whispers. “We can talk about it in the morning if you want.”

I'll talk about anything with him so long as I never have to let go of this feeling.

10

Luke

I can't rememberthe last time I woke up and jumped out of bed with this much excitement. It's like being a kid again, waking up on Christmas morning or the first day of summer vacation.

My gift waits upstairs at Nik’s. How is it possible that she already means so much to me? So much that I can barely take the time to get dressed before heading up two floors. I can't wait to see her. I can't wait to make her smile since it seems like she hasn't had much of a reason to do that lately.

The apartment is quiet, the bedroom door still closed. That's not a big surprise since it’s barely past seven o’clock, and we got in late last night. It's not their fault I couldn't sleep another wink thanks to my excitement. Right away, I think about the empty kitchen in that tiny apartment, and I decide to put breakfast together. I'm sure Bane will be up here eventually, so I keep him in mind as I go through the fridge and pantry.

First, coffee. The aroma fills the air by the time I whip up eggs while the bacon sizzles on the griddle.

It's no surprise when I hear the ping signaling the elevator’s arrival. Bane yawns as he crosses the living room, heading straight for me. “I swear, I could smell that from downstairs.” He glances down the hall to the bedroom in passing, then heads straight for the coffee maker.

“You better help me here. You don't get to eat for free,” he grumbles but starts slicing sourdough for toast.

It's not long before soft footsteps signal the approach of a smiling angel wrapped in a bathrobe. Her hair is messed up, and she's rubbing her eyes, and I don't think anything has ever looked so beautiful. “Good morning.” Her voice is sweet, a little shy, and there's no reason it should make my dick hard, but I can't help it. She is as close to perfection as anything I've ever seen. I could easily forget breakfast in favor of eating something much tastier.

Instead of devouring her, I grin from my place in front of the stove. “I hope you're hungry,” I offer.

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