Page 96 of Worse Fates

He cups my chin and in his gaze I find only patience.

My chest expands for my overflowing heart, and I’m extra careful to make room for his.

“I want us to make love.” I don’t stutter this time, or cringe away. My words may be quiet, but Lucero makes me powerful.

So when he kisses me in the way that he always does, deep and claiming, with no doubt that I’m exactly where I belong, I know I’m safe and loved. And I return those feelings, packaged up and gently delivered in each breathless sigh.

“I want to experience as much of this world with you, Golden. Forever.”

Then I remember what’s tucked in my fist.

“Oh shit.” I jolt upright and open up the soggy mess. “Fuck, the list.”

His eyebrow quirks up, amused. “You have a list?”

“Damnit,” I grumble, attempting to dry the list Kai gave to me but only tearing pulpy bits off. Cheeks warmed, I clear my throat and ask him the first question, “Okay, sooo. Do you…top or bottom?” The last part comes out in a rush of muddled words.

“What an interesting list you have.” Lucero chuckles and lays back, arm resting on the lip of the tub, displaying his large wet chest while his other hand clutching my hip. “Both.”

I pause. Look away, and then look back. “Both?”

“Mhm,” he hums, eyes hooded and stroking me.

“You did both with your other soulmates?” I ask, chewing on the inside of my cheek.

“Francisco preferred me to fuck him. With Tristan we would change positions depending on mood. However, he liked to have others watch him be fucked. Samuel and I did not have a very sexual relationship, as he was a deeply religious man, and struggled with his love for me. But he needed to be on top or have control.”

As Lucero talks all my confidence begins to slip away, my hands lowering until they dip into the steaming water.

“In…in front of other people?” I choke out, pulling away.

His hand at my hips tightens, keeping me close. “Not with you. Tristan had certain desires and I never wanted him to feel shamed, so we came to an agreement. Others did watch, but he was never shared. No matter how much he wanted it.”

I shift. “Did…did you like it?”

He plays with my curls. “I liked pleasing him.”

“So I’m the least experienced one?” And least adventurous, too, by the sound of it.

Lucero’s full lips brush the corners of my mouth, his nose tenderly nudging mine. “You, beautiful, are precious. What we share will be between us, haven’t you enjoyed what we’ve done already?”

After a beat, I nod, Lucero taking up my entire focus through my lashes.

“Good. Now, why don’t you tell me if you’d like to top or bottom?”

My dick begins to fill at his sensual timbre, as if he’s wrapped a hand around my thickening length and stroked.

“I want you to enjoy yourself, Lucero. So I’ll top if that's what’ll make you happy,” I reply, eager and chin lifted. Fake it till you make it, right?

Lucero’s lazy smile is smooth as caramel—too tempting. My tongue flicks at his bottom lip, needing a taste.

Before I can pull away, Lucero grabs hold of my curls and tugs me back, capturing my tongue as his, and sucking it into his mouth.

“That.” His voice is husky when he pulls back, hand gliding down from my hip. “Isn't what I asked.” He takes hold of my asscheek, and squeezes. “Tell me about all those desires you’ve got locked away in your head.”

My brain short circuits. Hips moving and pressing down into Lucero, I thrust my dick against his slippery stomach, the water sloshing from the tub to splash on the floor.

“Your…” I gasp, head dropping to Lucero’s shoulder, my fingers dig into his solid chest. “You're bigger than me. Stronger…”