Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

THIS HAS TO STOP.

T he room seemed to close in on me, and my chest tightened with every breath. Grayson eyed me carefully, his brow creased with concern.

"Hey, Parker, try to relax." Grayson urged, his smooth voice a mere whisper as he placed his hand gently on my shoulder.

"Relax?" I snapped, irritation brewing beneath my skin like a simmering pot threatening to boil over. "Telling someone to relax when they're stressed doesn't help, Grayson."

He recoiled slightly from my harsh tone.

I sighed, guilt gnawing at my insides for snapping at him. "Sorry, Grayson," I mumbled, rubbing the back of my neck. "I just... I need to do something to calm my nerves. Maybe a shower will help."

A small, understanding smile graced his lips as he nodded. Grayson's eyes held a depth of compassion that I was grateful for, especially given my unpredictable demonic powers. They were all saints for putting up with me.

"Go ahead. Take all the time you need," he said, stepping aside to give me space.

"Thanks," I whispered before retreating towards the bathroom, hoping the hot water would wash away the tension that clung to me like a second skin.

Once inside the bathroom, I started the shower and let the steam fill the room. Stripping off my clothes, I stepped into the cascade of hot water, closing my eyes as it poured over me. It felt like a warm embrace, a much-needed comfort after the stress that had been building inside me.

Leaning my forehead against the cool tiles, I tried to slow down my racing thoughts.

Why couldn't I control my powers? Would I ever be able to lead a normal life without these unpredictable outbursts? Was a life without daily emergencies and near-death experiences too much to ask for?

As I focused on the soothing sensation of the water flowing over my body, I suddenly felt large, strong hands on my back.

Surprised, I turned around and found Rhiot standing behind me, his deep golden eyes filled with concern.

"R-Rhiot?" I stuttered, taken aback by his unexpected presence. "I didn't even hear the door?"

"You were caught up in your thoughts. I said your name a few times before I touched you." He pulled me into a tight hug. The way his body wrapped around me was far more comforting than a shower would ever be.

I couldn't help but notice his erection as it pushed against my belly, but he seemed content to ignore it. The hug was nice. It strengthened me and kind of grounded me.

"Let me help you relax." He murmured softly, his voice low and comforting.

Rhiot turned me around until I had my cheek pressed against the cool tiles like when he'd first entered the shower, then began massaging my tense shoulders, working his way down my back with gentle yet firm pressure. The warmth of his touch seemed to chase the tenseness that settled deep in my muscles. I couldn't help but lean into it, craving more of his comforting presence.

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling my muscles unwind under his skilled hands. With each stroke, the stress began to melt away, leaving me feeling lighter and calmer than I had in days.

"Anytime." He replied, his hands never pausing.

"Rhiot, how did you know this would help?" I asked, my voice barely audible over the sound of the shower.

Rhiot's hands continued working magic on my tense muscles. "You don't have to be a mind reader to see when someone's struggling. Besides, our bond allows me some insight into your emotions. We recognize our own."

I closed my eyes, savoring the sensation of his fingers kneading away my tension. It was true... ever since we had discovered our mate bond, Rhiot seemed to have an uncanny ability to know when I needed him most. All of them did. And right now, with the weight of my demonic heritage threatening to crush me, I needed him more than ever.

Then his words settled in. We recognize our own. Someday I'd have the courage to ask him what he went through. We seemed to have something in common, but I wasn't sure what it was. My own relationship with my parents had been nothing but abusive and neglectful. I wondered where he related.

"Your touch... it's like a balm for my soul." I murmured, feeling the last remnants of my anxiety dissipate under his ministrations.

For a brief moment, everything else - my demon side, my fears, the danger we faced – faded into the background, leaving only the warmth of Rhiot's hands and the connection between us.

"Your soul is beautiful." Rhiot whispered, his breath hot against my ear. "Never forget that. No matter how dark things may seem, there's always a light inside you, waiting to shine."

A tear slipped down my cheek, mingling with the water from the shower. Rhiot's words reached deep within me, touching a part of myself that I had been afraid to acknowledge... the part that believed, despite everything, that I was worth saving.

"Thank you," I choked out.

His strong arms wrapped around me, leaning against me until I was pressed against his chest. I allowed myself to sink into the embrace, letting his strength bolster me.

After a long moment, Rhiot leaned back, his hands returning to continue to work their magic. He moved on to lathering a soft sponge with fragrant soap. The scent of jasmine filled the steamy air.

"Let me take care of you." Rhiot murmured, his voice low and intimate as he began gently washing my skin, each stroke sending shivers down my spine.

I closed my eyes, allowing myself to revel in the feel of his fingers trailing over my body, the gentle caress of the sponge and the warm water cascading over us.

"Now your hair." Rhiot whispered, interrupting my thoughts momentarily.

He reached for the shampoo and conditioner, and I tilted my head back, letting him lather and rinse then condition my hair. His fingers massaged my scalp, and a sigh of contentment escaped my lips.

"How does this feel?" he asked, his voice soft and soothing.

"Amazing." I breathed, feeling my body relax further under his tender ministrations. "Though you should know that, since you can read my emotions perfectly."

"Sometimes, even I need verbal confirmation." Rhiot kissed the top of my head as his fingers stroked down my neck. "Feeling your emotions helps, so does hearing your thoughts, but sometimes you just have to hear it."

For a time, I allowed myself to simply be... to let the world outside the shower stall fade away, leaving only the sensations of Rhiot's touch and the soothing water. My mind began to quiet, and the darkness that had been clawing at my soul receded, giving way to a tranquility I hadn't felt in so long.

But then, as if roused by the intimacy of our shared moment, a surge of desire coursed through me. My breath hitched, and my body tingled with an awakening need. An ache formed between my legs as I needed more. It took me a moment to realize that these urges weren't entirely my own, but were also from Rhiot through our mate bond. And Trux. And Seph.

"Rhiot." I gasped, my voice strained as I fought against the rising tide of passion. "I can feel your... your desire."

He stilled, his hands hovering over my body as if unsure how to proceed. "I'm sorry." He replied, the words heavy with unspoken emotions. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

I turned while opening my eyes to meet his gaze. But even as I fought against the magnetic pull of his touch, I couldn't deny it. He was my Tsigo. I'd always want him. All of them. Between the lust demon urges and the mate bond, we'd probably have a lot of sex. I couldn't blame him for that.

"Please don't apologize." I whispered as I looked into his eyes. I saw the raw vulnerability that mirrored my own, and I knew that we were both struggling. He didn't want to ruin the sweet intimacy of the moment.

Yes ma'am. Rhiot's eyebrow quirked up with a mischievous smirk. His mouth hadn't moved.

My mind drifted back to the demon cave with Seph. We'd used telepathy then, too. I'd forgotten about that until now. And during the fire. I wondered if that was a demon or a Tsigo thing.

A bit of both. Rhiot mentally responded. The more in control you are, the more you can focus on your powers. When your demon side is taking over, then it will be spotty or absent.

My inner demon, raging as it had been, was a distraction. One I didn't want. So I needed to control it. I looked Rhiot over, and it dawned on me that he had been tending to my every need while neglecting himself. His own body remained unwashed, though he stood beneath the cascade of water. Ash streaked his face and chest all over his body until about his elbows. From there to his fingertips, he was spotless.

"Rhiot," I murmured, my concern threading through my voice. "You haven't washed yourself yet."

His warm golden eyes bore into mine as he replied, "Taking care of you is my priority. Everything else can wait."

The depth of his devotion stirred something within me, a fierce protectiveness that surged like fire through my veins. As much as I appreciated his attentiveness, I couldn't bear the thought of Rhiot disregarding his own needs for my sake.

"Self-care is just as important as caring for others." I insisted, my tone resolute. "I want you to be happy and healthy, too."

A smile played at the corners of his lips as he regarded me, his expression a blend of amusement and admiration. He watched me take the soap from the shelf.

"Let me help you." I offered, determined to repay even the smallest fraction of the care he had shown me.

I lathered the soap between my palms, then slid them over the cords of muscles that covered his chest. With each stroke of my hands, I conveyed not only my gratitude, but also my love. Each inch of his body tempted me, driving my need to grow exponentially until I was a ball of unbridled horniness.

Honestly, washing him was torture. Especially when I reached for his cock. He was hard, and it took every bit of my control to not linger. I wanted to see the bliss on his face as I gripped and stroked him. To take him into my mouth as I watched him come undone.

"You're making this sexual." Rhiot growled, his voice husky from need.

"I should punish you for putting my needs before yours." A boldness I didn't often feel rose up in me. My hand lingered, pumping his cock a few times until he closed his eyes and braced one hand on the wall. I released him, letting the water rinse us both. Then I gripped his cheeks as I guided him to look down at me when his eyelids popped open. "No matter how big you are or how many muscles you have... You can't take care of others unless you take care of yourself."

Rhiot's hands cradled my face, mimicking my hold on him as his thumbs traced the contours of my cheeks. The tender gesture sent shivers down my spine. "For a shifter with a Tsigo, attending to your needs, safety, health, and happiness is the best self-care I could possibly do."

A conflicting mixture of emotions swirled inside me. My heart clenched with both love and concern for this man. "But Rhiot?—"

"Shh," he hushed me, his touch silencing my protests. He released me, grabbing my hands until he pressed a kiss to each palm. "It's what I want, Parker. It's who I am... who we are."

Trux's brusk voice interrupted the soft intimacy we'd found. "This has to stop."