Page 154 of Pervade London
Make your own fucking coffee.
I was an open book. He, however, was uncharted territory. Of course, I knew his Navy background had contributed to his love of adventure, a need to explore, and a willingness to risk his life. And there was so much more to discover.
With a turn of the handle, I eased open the bathroom door.
I shouldn’t have.
It would’ve been wiser to go downstairs and brew some dark roast in that posh Keurig. But there was something compelling about him. And having James on top of me had stirred an arousal I couldn’t shake.
Still, I had an agenda, and nothing was going to stop me.
I stood before the shower—hisshower—staring through the glass at this naked and very soaped-up Royal Highness. Streams of water drenched his dark hair and splattered over his face as he tipped his chin into the stream, the downpour striking his ripped torso and splashing over his taut thighs and pert ass—the same one I liked to squeeze and dig my fingernails into.
He noticed my presence, and wiped his eyes so he could see me better.
Moving closer, I dropped my towel and pressed my palms to the glass.
My eyes swept over his erection, full and long, and I felt a swell of pride that he was hard because of me.
The only words that slipped from my lips were honest ones. “I want to watch.”
Conflicting emotions flashed across his face and perhaps he, too, was considering if watching could be construed as intimacy.He turned his body to face mine, his intense focus making the atmosphere thick and erotic, like molecules were shifting and dancing around us, joining us together.
All I could do was press my forehead and both hands to the glass. Despite my nakedness, I had lost all feelings of self-consciousness. With him all barriers dissolved.
He pressed his forehead against the glass, his eyes staring down into mine. James wrapped his hand around his shaft. He slowly began to stroke himself, soon quickening the pace, and I watched his erection grow in size.
His dazzling dark eyes watched me watching him.
James was all hard muscle wrapped in sophisticated, devastating allure. My mind flipped back to the moment I’d first seen him. I’d looked away because his refined beauty had been blinding.
Now, I couldn’t look away.
It was impossible not to be captivated by his erotic expression as he brought himself closer to the edge.
His long groan echoed within the four walls of his shower, and I felt the distance that kept us apart. I desperately wanted to wrap my hand around the hard length of him and ease his strain as his hips rocked. I wanted the chance to feel the warmth of those silver steaks as they became glistening ribbons.
I loved the way his lips pouted, the way his rigid body rode out the bliss with shudders…the way his eyes rose to meet mine as though to sayit’s because of you.
Because of you…
Our hands mirrored each other’s on the glass—pressed together to keep a connection as though neither of us could bear it to end. Neither of us was willing to break this heady spell.
“You shouldn’t be in here,” he said softly.
Blinking, as though awaking from a dream, I stumbled out, grabbing my towel on the way. I hurried down the hallway and entered the room I should have chosen.
I found my clothes and more toiletries and shoes and all the things I would ever need. And all of them had been brought here by James, I just knew it. Some were new, some from my old life, and the thought that he’d touched these things sent a wave of excitement through me. The way everything was hung or folded or tucked away in the chest of drawers showed Ballad’s touch.
Thinking quickly—though not clearly—I slid into my underwear. My mind was still in James’ bathroom, replaying that sensual scene over and over. I chose my old jeans, pulling them off a hanger, along with a satin shirt. That long cardigan would give me the artsy bohemian look I craved because it was from my old life, the one where I had some say.
Though crave was now a word reserved for the way I felt about Ballad.
Heading downstairs, I gripped the banister. Perhaps one day I’d know every creak on every step and every inch of every room. In a daze, I made it to the kitchen.
I understood now…
I finally realized why Xavier had done what he had to get this man back in his life in this intimate way, why he’d blackmailed him. All because James’ love had been denied, and for Xavier, it might as well have been oxygen James was holding hostage.
