13. Talia

Chapter 13

Talia

W e settled across from each other inside the rough stone tub that was the perfect size for the both of us. I could stretch my legs out, and while he couldn’t, he didn’t appear cramped. Steam coiled off the surface, and I savored the hot water swirling over my sore muscles and hands. The latter stung, and later, I’d ask him if there was a way the stone god could craft me some invisible gloves. Although, would the guards notice or care if I wore them? I wasn’t sure I wanted to test it.

I leaned back against the cold surface and smiled. I seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Despite our dire situation, and the worry that I’d be dead soon, this time and place felt filled with promise because of Firion.

He was bringing joy to my life when I should be wallowing in sorrow. I felt like I was on the cusp of something wonderful, and I was going to grab onto it and hold on tight. I worried about Maggie; worried about myself and Firion, but in my heart, I knew I’d be a fool if I didn’t see where this was going between us. Everyone would tell me this wasn’t the place, but what if we never escaped? This could be all we’d have together.

My parents died, and their loss was a gaping hole in my heart that would never be filled. I was going to latch onto whatever this was and let it take me away.

“I'll do your hair first,” I said, spinning my finger in the air to urge him to turn.

He did so, handing me a square lump that must be soap, also courtesy of his stone god. I still wasn’t sure I believed such a thing existed, but what I’d seen couldn’t be explained away. They must exist, and they cared about the Zuldruxians.

And maybe even me.

As I worked the soap through his hair, he braced his hands on the sides of the tub. I ran my fingers through the strands, being as gentle as I could as I threaded out the tangles. Once I was sure his hair was clean, I rubbed his scalp and neck, determined to give him a tiny bit of escape in this harsh world.

He muffled his groans, and I looked toward the hall, though I couldn’t see more than shadows beyond our cell.

“It feels so good,” he said in a soft voice. “Thank you.”

I grinned, loving that I could do this for him. I lathered my hands and rubbed them up and down his back to his ongoing groans. His body trembled, telling me how much my touch moved him. We were alike in that way, each seeking a tiny bit of pleasure from the other to balance the situation.

After washing his shoulders and his chest, he turned and took the soap from me, quickly taking care of the areas I didn’t reach. I would’ve gladly washed there myself but stimulating him when we couldn’t do anything about it would be unkind. The intimacy of the moment was almost too much, and I found myself growing increasingly aroused.

Soon, I promised him and myself in my heart.

“Turn, and I’ll wash your hair,” he said gruffly, keeping his voice low so we wouldn’t be overheard. What would the lizards in other cells think if they could see us bathing? What would Brax think if he looked this way? I had to assume his night vision was at least as good as mine, that he was awake, sitting on his bunk, trying to see what we were doing—if anything.

Until loud snores rang out in harmony.

“Brax and his roommate.” Firion’s tusky smile flashed, disappearing too soon. “I heard their snores last night.” I wanted to see him smiling all the time, to feel the warmth of it on my skin, followed up with his touch.

Did we have a future together?

I hoped we’d live long enough to find out.

He tipped his head back and shoved his hair off his face, sending me a smile that made mine rise to match. When his grew, it revealed his tusks. I reached out tentatively to touch them, curious about their texture. He tensed slightly before relaxing back against the side of the tub, allowing me access. They were rough and smooth, and surprisingly warm.

Rising to my knees, I cupped his cheeks, savoring the feel of the coarse bristles beneath my fingers. I realized my hands no longer hurt, and when I lifted them and squinted, I couldn’t see the sores that had throbbed while we ate.

He took one of my hands and gently ran his fingertip across the palm. “Healed. This is the work of the stone god.”

Healing water seemed beyond the ability of a god residing within a rock wall, but what other explanation could there be?

“I’ll wash your hair.” He held up the soap.

I eased forward and turned, laying myself against his raised knees. He helped me tip my head back and supported me while he wet my hair.

Then he lathered it, and I wasn’t sure anything could feel more amazing than his strong fingers gently kneading my scalp or the way he worked the soap through the strands, making sure all my hair ended up squeaky clean.

I closed my eyes and let out a contented sigh. Though I doubted this was his intention, his touch was surprisingly sensual. It felt like the caress of a lover, someone who cared for me above all others.

He rinsed my hair until none of the soap remained, then lathered his hands again. “Can I wash more?”

Oh, yes, please. I nodded, but worried he wouldn’t see that in the dark, spoke. “Yes. I’m sore. Tired. I appreciate the help.”

His low laugh rang out. “I’m more than happy to wash my mate’s body. You tell me if I’m washing . . . too much.”

“You can wash all of me.” My words came out prim and proper, but they were anything but. I was lost in his touch already, and his fingers hadn’t left my head.

His hands moved methodically down my back, massaging knots and tension from my muscles. I leaned my side against him, the warmth of his body embracing mine. For a moment, I forgot about our captors, about the dangers lurking beyond our cell door. All that existed was Firion and me, connected by touch and emotion.

His hands glided down my body, teasingly soft against my skin. He knelt in front of me, his strength and nearness sending shivers skating across my soul. “Tell me if I go too far,” he whispered, the breath of his rough voice warm against my cheek.

“Never,” I vowed, lost in this moment already. Knowing no one would see because of the dark and the shielding of the side of the tub was enough to let me relax and take what I could from this moment.

As he washed my arms, he traced patterns with his fingertips that made me quiver with delight. Sitting, he lifted my legs, one after the other, massaging the tensed muscles all the way to my toes until they relaxed and stopped aching from my efforts today.

I couldn’t speak, and I didn’t want him to stop.

With his eyes locked on mine, he moved to my chest, the rough pads of his fingers circling the soft skin encasing my heart. He teased my nipples, rubbing them between his thumbs and forefingers until they hardened. After rinsing them, he slid beneath the water, his lips brushing against first one sensitive peak, then the other.

Fireworks exploded behind my eyes as he sucked on my nipple, sending shockwaves of heat coursing through my body. I clung to his head and arched into him, needing more of his touch, more of whatever he could give me. He rose enough to take a quick breath before dropping his head once more. While he sucked on my nipples, his hands roved lower, skimming over my stomach and around to my hips, massaging like he had my legs. He worked my spine while his tongue flicked across one nipple after the other.

His head lifted, his hair dripping as he watched my face, his reverent and full of desire.

When he parted my thighs, I spread them around him, giving him access to do whatever he pleased. No, what would also please me.

I was a live wire, coiling through the air, and every bit of my mind remained focused on his wonderful fingers that slid between my legs.

He found my clit and rolled it.

And when his gaze sought mine, he watched me as he slipped a finger inside me.

Hot waves washed over me, leaving me breathless. I gripped his shoulders, unable to form words as he teased and explored, his finger moving slowly at first before plunging into me.

He added more fingers; I couldn’t count. They were big and long, and when he pulled them out and drove them back inside, all I could do was muffle my cries against his wet skin.

I rocked against his hand. Rode it, actually, plunging down when his fingers drove up inside me.

He pressed his forehead against mine, our breathing heavy as he continued to fuck me with his fingers, his thumb gliding across my clit at the same time. “You’re beautiful.” His lips brushed against my neck while he continued to drive my body with an expert, sensual touch. Maybe it was the tension that constantly filled the air. The fact that we could die at any moment. The fear that kept crashing through me. But I knew in that instant that there would never be another man for me but this one. Only Firion, this precious alien male I’d found when I needed him most.

As I started spiraling out of control, I clung to his arms, flailing my body against his hand.

I couldn't think, couldn't process anything except the sensations he was creating within me.

His lips trailed up my neck, leaving tantalizing kisses in their wake, until his mouth claimed mine. He kissed me deeply, his tongue tangling with mine as he continued to stimulate me.

My cries were muffled against his kiss, and I felt like I was floating, losing myself in the heat of this time and place and the drive of his fingers inside me.

When he broke our kiss, I threw my head back, giving into the ecstasy building to something I suspected would shatter me before reworking me into someone new. The explosion of pleasure was intense, washing over me in a heavy burst, and his guttural groan rang out at the same time, telling me he’d also come.

I held onto him while he continued to stroke my inner walls and my clit, my body shaking as the aftershocks slowly subsided. His strong arm encircled me as I slowly came down from the high.

We remained locked together for a long moment before he lifted my chin and kissed me again.

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” he whispered, his lips grazing mine once more. I nodded, but we couldn't afford to stay in this moment; there was work to be done and a plan of escape that we needed to focus on.

And rest. I was so tired and achy, I felt like I could sleep for a week.

With one last lingering look, Firion stepped out of the tub. “Wait.” He dried himself quickly and tugged on a pair of pants before holding up a cloth to shield me. When I climbed out, he slid the cloth across my body tenderly, taking care not to rub hard or stress my sore muscles.

He helped me dress in the clothing I’d wear tomorrow, then handed me an odd, tiny brush. While I stared down at it, he started to brush his teeth with another, and I joined him, grateful I could do something simple I took for granted back home.

Refreshed and feeling better than I could’ve expected, he led me to the bunk, laying down first before tugging me on top of his body. With the blanket spread over us both, he wrapped his arms around me.

Subtle sloshing sounds told me that the stone god was removing the tub, but I was drifting off already. Morning would come too soon, and I wanted to savor the pleasure still thrumming through my body.

Firion kissed my forehead. “Sleep, love. I’ll keep you safe.”