The steam from the bath curls up, slicking our already flushed skin. Nadir grunts as he grows harder and thicker before he comes, his warm release coating my hand. He turns around so I’m facing him and then guides my hand towards me, dragging his cum over my stomach and my breasts, circling my nipples. He paints over me, drifting lower and lower before his hand slides between my legs, and he uses his release to circle my clit before dipping his finger inside to mix with my own wetness.

“Fuck, you’re so beautiful,” he whispers. “So fucking perfect.”

He kisses me hard and then pulls away.

“Get in the tub. It’s your turn.”

I smile and then do as he asks, stepping into the hot water before he joins me and sinks in. He pulls me down so I’m nestled between his legs. The water is stingingly hot, and my toes finally start to thaw for the first time in days. I lean against him, resting my head on his chest and feeling the beat of his heart. For several minutes, we sit in silence, listening to one another’s breaths as Nadir softly runs his hands over my shoulders and down my arms and back up again.

“Are you okay?” I ask after a minute.

“I am now.” He twirls a lock of my hair between his fingers. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”

“I do, but not right now. How about you?” I look up at him, and he gives me a rueful smile.

“Same, I guess.”

“I want to go back to Aphelion. I need to make sure Tristan and Willow are okay. I’m worried about the others, too.”

He blows out a sigh.

“Yeah, me too.” Something crosses his expression.

“What is it?”

“I’m just wondering if that’s where my father will search for you.” He gives me a pointed look. “I know you don’t want to talk about it, but I assume he is still after you?”

“Yes,” I say. “You should assume that.”

He shakes his head and rubs his face. “We’ll talk about this. After.”

“After?”

“After I enjoy you a bit more,” he says with that smirk that always manages to rip out my heart.

He captures my chin between his fingers, and I wince. Nadir’s eyes darken as he gently tips up my face, noting what I assume is a mottling of bruises courtesy of his father.

“Who did that?”

“Who do you think?”

“I’ll fucking kill him.”

“I know.” I place a hand on his chest. “But let’s return to ‘enjoying’ for a minute, please?”

He growls low in his throat and kisses me as his hands smooth over my thighs and stomach, slipping over the water and soap in a way that feels decadent. His hand moves between my thighs, and my legs fall open as his gentle fingers slide along my core.