Page 39 of Raven's Nest
The water had already begun to cool by the time she managed to open her eyes, take stock. Zain hadn’t moved, his mouth still locked around her skin, his body holding her captive against the wall.
She smiled, wondering if they could actually sleep that way when he lifted his head — gave her a killersmile. She smoothed her hand along his jaw, loving the layer of stubble shadowing his skin. What took him from gorgeous to knockout. “I’m glad those muscles aren’t just for show because if it’d been up to me, we’d both be in a heap on the floor.”
“I’d never let you fall.”
“Too, late.”
Saylor stilled. Had she spoken that out loud or just thought it?
Zain grinned, and she cursed under her breath. “C’mon. The last thing you need is to get another chill.”
Zain gave them each a quick scrub, igniting that heat, again, despite his apparent intentions before grabbing a towel and wrapping her up. He frowned when he glanced at her shoulder, shaking his head in mock frustration. “Chase is gonna have my ass if I leave that wet bandage on you.”
“Just take it off. The skin adhesive should be fine by now.”
Zain huffed, but gently removed the tape, hissing out a breath at the bruising already coloring her skin. “Shit… That looks sore.”
“Does it? Because I don’t even feel it.”
“You will once all those endorphins wear off.”
She reached up and drew her thumb across his mouth. “Then, you’ll have to help me make more.”
“Oh no. No more fun until you get some sleep.”
“Then, why are we still standing in the bathroom?”
Zain chuckled, then guided her back to his bed. He grabbed a shirt out of the closet and helped her slip it on. “Not that I don’t want to be naked with you…”
“But you need to be somewhat prepared in case a wet squad shows up on your doorstep.” She held up her hand. “I’ll wear your clothes any day.”
He smiled, then climbed into the bed, gathering her in his arms as everything settled into place. “Sleep. I’m sure someone will be knocking on the door at some ungodly hour.”
She kissed his chest, drawing lazy circles on his skin. “Will you wake me when it’s time for one of your nightly tours?”
He tensed, his lips pursing before he sighed. “Would you want me to?”
“It might be nice to have someone guarding your six.”
He stared at her as if he was mulling it over. “I can try to let it go. I know the others’ll be running patrols.”
She pushed onto her elbow. “You don’t have to change for me. You know that right?”
“I’m not changing. Just curbing the crazy for a night.”
“Wanting to keep everyone safe isn’t crazy. It’s just who you are.”
He sighed. “Tell that to Kash.”
“Kash has his own hangups. Besides, he has Nyx. And Jordan. That’s kinda cheating.”
“You’re definitely one-of-a-kind, sweetheart. Sleep. I’ll wake you if the voices get too loud.”
She burrowed against him. “Assuming I don’t wake you from a nightmare, first.”
“If I did everything right, you won’t wake until morning.”
“Trust me. You did everything right.”
