Page 31

Lochdon sets me on the counter and doesn’t let me do anything while he starts the faucet and pulls out towels.

I watch him, making note of everything so I can repeat the steps while he’s out on a contract.

The water is so steamy, I start to worry that it’s going to be too hot to get into, but there’s a gauge on the wall that monitors the temperature.

It silently assures me it’s not going to turn me into soup.

“When do you have to go back out?” I ask as he helps me undress and I reciprocate.

“Not until after the ceremony is over.”

My hands freeze on his buttons. “Everything’s finalized?”

He nods. “As soon as I take you home, I’m yours.”

There’s a little more to it than that, but I finally get his clothes open and let him pick me up.

I press my lips firmly together as he lowers me into the water, just in case, but I don’t need to worry.

It is steamy, but it’s also perfect. “Did you steal my temperature settings from Phantom?”

“I didn’t steal anything. I politely asked and they provided me with them.”

Smiling, I sink into the water and let the heat soak the tension out of my muscles.

It was worse than I realized.

This is bliss.

“That,” Lochdon says as he slips into the bath with me, “Is a face I would love to be the reason for.”

“You relieve my tension in different ways. And I like them both, equally.”

“Equally?” he feigns affront.

“You are more than welcome to try to tip the scales.”

Two of his hands take hold of my shoulders and his fingers start to move and pinch and I whimper as he works at the knots that not even hot water could touch.

I melt into his touch. “That definitely works in your favor.”

“Does it?” He lifts me up with his other hands and pulls me over the top of him letting my buoyancy hold some of my weight as he rocks me back and forth, dragging my pussy over his cock.

“Sometimes, it feels like having four hands is cheating.” I tell him.

“But you like it.”

“I love it.”

“Good.”

Water drips from my hair, trailing across my breasts in rivulets, and he leans forward, licking the same line across my skin.

Humming, he asks, “Does Phantom bottle your bathwater?”

I laugh at the very thought of it. “They better not be… if they are, they owe me some serious back pay.”

“Find out… if they aren’t, you’re both missing out on a market.” His tongue swirls around my nipple, and he sucks, releasing me with a hard pop before saying, “I bet Elasials would buy it by the gallon.”

“You know, I had worried the water would be so hot it would turn me into soup. And now you’re telling me you want to make broth out of me.” I smile against his lips as I press down onto him. “You’re going to give me a big head if you keep acting like I’m the most delicious creature in the world.”

“But you are.” His thumb caresses my throat. “You are the most delicious, most beautiful, most fascinating creature in the universe. And you’re mine.”

I arch back, trying to work myself further down onto him and this time, he sits back and watches. All six eyelids heavy, all six eyes watching me.

“Do you know what one of my friends said when they saw the ring?” I ask him.

“Did they ask if I did not love you enough to get you more?”

“No,” I swat at his chest. “She asked if you were marrying me to get out of paying Phantom’s membership and fees.”

He laughs, hand wrapped around my neck, pulling me closer to him and just before he kisses me again, he says, “You can tell her that Phantom is still making me pay the exact same amount as before. And I am not going to ask them for a discount.”

Hands playing with my breasts, holding tight to my hips, he helps me ease down onto the last inch of him.

Now that I have all of him, I squeeze tight and smile when he groans.

“The woman I love, taking me into her in this bath she loves…” He shudders and his teeth clench. “This is a memory that may leave me painting the bottom of the bunk above me the next time I am on a ship without you.”

I huff a laugh, but it turns into a soft moan as I rise up off of him. “If that happens, I want proof.”

The waves we make slosh at the side. But the tub drains itself a little to save the floor, before anything makes it over the edge.

“Why do you like the water?” He asks, voice strained.

He’s trying to distract himself.

“I like the warmth and the slight weightlessness. I like that it gives me the opportunity to turn my brain off because I can’t really do anything else. It’s time for just me.”

“And me.”

“And sometimes you, now, too.”

We rock and thrust and the water sloshes dangerously, and with his lips latched on one breast and a hand wrapped around the other, I come apart on him, finally getting what I’ve wanted for so long.

He moans, deeply against my breast as his hips pump upward, driving into me as he comes.

It’s perfect.

He’s perfect.

Everything is perfect and I am ready to make him mine.

“When can we leave?” I ask, resting my cheek against his chest.

“Tomorrow afternoon if you want.”

I do.

I’m going to claim him, and then I am never going to let him go.