Page 84 of Soulless Deeds

XXXIII

Spencer

The water had chilled, not that I gave a shit. My thoughts were still reeling from Echo’s history, the blatant betrayal of those he loved most—trusted the most.

“But you love Aster,” I said, trying to wrap my head around it.

“Against every instinct. And although I’ve never admitted it to myself, of course I do. She was my entire life for many years. Until you.”

A blush stained my cheeks and a timid smile lifted the tips of my lips. I was glad he couldn’t see my face. Who the hell was I? Blushing like some innocent virgin.Yuck.

Echo stepped out of the bath and secured a towel around his waist before opening another for me to step into. He cared for me like a well-trained simp, and I was lapping that shit up like an addict.

I openly stared as he dried me down. Our joint nudity felt natural, neither of us hiding from the other. A physical cleansing, in a way. Echo’s impressive dick remained hard between us, yet he never made a sexual advance, happy to ignore his throbbing length in favour of giving me something much more valuable.

He seemed lighter, more contemplative, nowhere near the Echo I’d grown to know. He chose to confront his past demons in order to forge a better future. Still, I knew those two disloyal cunts had burrowed their betrayal deep into his inner sanctum. A simple conversation wouldn’t make all his trauma disappear.

Jealousy seethed in my gut. I didn’t want to share—his attention, his thoughts, his fucking suffering.

I craved to erase their stain, fucking scrub any lasting impression from his world until all that remained was me. It all belonged to me.

Clean, dry and naked in front of him, my fingers intertwined with his, and I led him to stand before the full-length mirror next to his bed. I stood behind his shoulder, our eyes locking in the reflection.

It was time to purge those fuckers from his system.

“Tell me why, sometimes, it seems you can’t tolerate my touch?”

My fingers skirted up his spine to then sweep through his bleached blonde buzz cut. Echo froze, every muscle tensed, his body prepared to attack on a whim. His gaze remained on mine, waves of fear and determination flashing in conflict.

“It’s not your touch. It’s about control. Since that disastrous time I lost my virginity…I haven’t given anyone free reign over my body again. Never wanted to be in a position where I was vulnerable and weak.”

Hmm. That’s why he restrained my hands or controlled our positioning most of the time. I thought he loved being dominant, but after hearing his past, I could see why he needed that extra level of security. I’d have bet he’d never let another woman ride him again, either.

“What happened after they betrayed you?” I asked, massaging down his scalp to the nape of his neck, where his Vicetattoo lay, the two swirling serpents immortalised in a stark red V.

Echo shuddered. “I woke up in the same warehouse we’d stolen all that shit from, my arms dead above my head, hanging from rusted chains. I swear, I nearly shat myself.”

“Nearly?”

His lips twitched. “The warehouse belonged to Vice. We’d stolen from Aster. They’d used me as a scapegoat to take the heat while they escaped unscathed. Fuck, I didn’t even have access to my Variant since that bitch had drained me dry.” I could feel his form coil with tension as my palm skirted down his spine. Still, he continued, his voice gruff as if I was causing him pain.

“After a couple days of torture with nothing to show, Aster made an appearance. She arrived, took one look at my battered body and…saw something in me. Instead of exterminating my existence like most would, she offered me a job instead—one chance to prove my worth. I not only met her expectations, but I also superseded them repeatedly. I’ve done my utmost best to prove my value to her over the years, and in doing so, I clawed my way up to be her second in command and next in line to take over Vice.”

Echo’s form had grown so rigid, I bit into his bicep, hard enough to leave marks. He flinched from the offering but remained steadfast in front of the mirror, hazel eyes tracking my actions with weary precision.

Shifting forward, I aligned my front up to his bare back, my nipples peaking from the heat of his skin. I leisurely scattered kisses across the back of his tense shoulders, and my hands circled his waist. The only barrier that remained was the towel that sat around his hips, barely obscuring his throbbing cock beneath.

Greed washed over me as an ardent need to touch every last inch of him took over. I was getting impatient, wanting what was mine, my body demanding what was due.

Then, I stilled, processing his trembling flesh and hyperventilating chest. It wasn’t desire. I tilted my head to the side and captured his gaze in the mirror once more, my heart straining from the open emotions rolling over his face—in his damn eyes. All I saw was terror. Absolute terror.

“Let’s stop,” I said, about to step away and free him from my hold. But before I could move, Echo latched his hands on mine, his grip tight and bruising.

“No,” he replied. “I need this. I needyou. Saints, do I fucking need you, Spence.”

Gauging his sincerity, my palms began to climb up his abs. Echo tensed.

“Watch me,” I whispered, loosening the towel to let it drop to his feet. He gave a resolute nod, his features softening ever so slightly.

---