9. Bastian

9

BASTIAN

A loud sigh left me as I crossed the entryway of the house, letting my wings tuck back inside. The conversation in the kitchen drew my attention as I walked in, and I found everyone gathered at the island, eating and listening to Kieran as she spoke animatedly.

"Oh!" she exclaimed as I came into view. Sparks of gold sparkled in her eyes, the low-hanging kitchen lights reflecting in them as she spoke. "I was just catching them up on how my training went. Perfect timing to fill us in on yours too!"

My eyes immediately did a full sweep of her body to categorize any wounds blemishing her skin, and relief poured through me at my inability to find any. It seems she had gone to the healers like I asked, and now Kieran looked full of energy and perfectly okay.

A thread of guilt tugged at my mind with the realization that I'd managed to take her blood without her consent or knowledge. I wanted to tell her but for once I hesitated, not wanting her to think I was a monster. It was one thing to hurt others, especially in her name or to protect her, but to put her at risk? The concept had me withdrawing, realizing I needed more time before I could explain myself to her.

"Maybe tomorrow," I murmured, dragging myself up the stairs.

I felt the intensity of their eyes on my back, but I couldn't find it within myself to shoot a joke over my shoulder at the group. The warmth of the shower in my room was calling my name, and the only thing that could make it better was if Kieran joined me.

Training had left me physically exhausted, my head pounding and muscles aching, the hours of manipulating my own blood having a much clearer side effect than my normal magic usage.

"I'll put your plate in the fridge," Gabe called up the stairs as I crossed the landing toward my bedroom. I called out my thanks before pushing into my room and making quick work of undressing and turning the shower on. While waiting for the water to heat up, I leaned against the countertop, stretching my arms above my head. Locking my fingers together, I pulled my linked hands to either side until I felt the burn of the stretch in my muscles.

"Oh!"

Kieran's surprised voice filled my bathroom, clearly having quietly entered and walked through the bedroom, shocking me a bit.

"Hello there, Darling," I purred, infatuated with the blush that crawled up her cheeks as her eyes roved over my body.

I couldn't be sure if what she saw was appealing to her, but she didn't turn away in disappointment, so I'd take that as a point in my favor. I lowered my hands to rest against the counter at my back as I tilted my head at her.

"I'm…I'm," she stuttered, eyes lifting to mine before slowly falling back down. "I'm sorry. I knocked, but now I realize you must not have heard it over the sound of the water in there. I'll come back later."

"Don't." The word left my mouth before I could think it through, causing her to pause mid turn. My mind raced, trying to come up with a possible scenario in which I could convince her to stay. "What did you need, Darling?"

Freezing in her path, she hesitantly turned back to face me, this time keeping her gaze firmly on my face. "I just wanted to see if you were okay. You didn't seem like yourself." She dragged her lip between her teeth, nibbling on it as her feet shuffled beneath her.

Steam began to fill the bathroom around me, drifting into the bedroom and dissipating before it reached her. How could I tell her the truth while also excluding the fact that I was pushing myself solely to find a way to help her?

Quite the conundrum.

"It was eye opening," I offered, shrugging. "But I'm realizing there's a lot I have to learn and open myself to. My body is a bit sore from attempting to manipulate my magic in new ways."

It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her about her blood, but right on cue, a small spasm rolled over my back. I winced, twisting at the waist in an attempt to stretch out the source of the pain. Soft footfalls informed me of Kieran's approach before she appeared next to me, a hand slowly lifting to touch my shoulder. "Turn around and tell me where it hurts."

"Yes, ma'am," I agreed, turning to do exactly that. My eyes landed on the glass of the shower as her fingers trailed down my shoulder and over my back. She skirted along the muscles there, gingerly pushing as she went. A spasm rocked me as she pressed just beneath my shoulder blade.

"Right there."

She set to work, pressing her thumbs into the muscle, keeping a firm pressure as she worked her way around the area before moving closer. Never before had someone shown me such tenderness, not even my own mother.

I couldn't even remember tenderness from her prior to my brother's death, where her hatred of me was birthed.

"This would work better with some warmth, but I don't have your powers—there's no way to conjure heat to my fingers, unfortunately."

A chuckle rumbled through my chest before I jerked my head in the direction of the shower. "There's a very convenient heat source a few steps away."

I was only half-joking, not expecting her to agree.

Kieran paused her movements at my suggestion, causing me to turn slightly and look down at her over my shoulder. She stared up at me with intrigue glittering in her eyes, her cheeks flushed pink as she tugged her lip into her mouth. After a short moment, she released it. She wasn't actually considering…I mean, there was no way I could be that lucky, right?

"Let's get into the shower." Her voice was so damn sweet, and I suddenly felt a lightning strike of nervousness.

Although, I did see the humor in the sudden nerves, considering I had been naked the entire time. Normally, there was no hiding how strongly I was attracted to Kieran, but I was finding it even more difficult now. My length was painfully hard, something I had no doubt she would see when I turned around. That alone wasn't what made me nervous, though. No, it was more the fact that I had no idea what the fuck I was doing.

"You want to shower with me?" I asked.

Seeming to bolster herself, she nodded before tugging her shirt over her head, leaving her in a sports bra. She bent to peel the leggings from her toned legs, and despite her stepping into the shower with her underwear on, I couldn't find it in myself to be disappointed. Especially as the material of her panties and bra clung to her skin erotically under the pounding stream of water from the showerhead.

Following her, I felt like I was in a trance, the world around me hazy. I was absolutely mesmerized by her. I saw her eyes dart to my hard length, and my eyes caught on her nipples as they pebbled through her bra. A guttural noise broke from my throat. When she motioned for me to turn, I did so reluctantly, not wanting to take my eyes off her perfection.

Wrapping my hand around my length, I gave myself a hard squeeze, hoping to calm the fuck down. I should've been thankful to have her hands on me as she began to work through each knot in my back, but in some ways her touch felt like the most pleasurable form of torture. I wanted—no, needed—more. My head fell forward as I let out a satisfied groan at the dual sensation of my muscles loosening and the feeling of her hands on my skin. The thought of her body right behind me only added to the perfection of the moment.

I still couldn't believe she would go out of her way to do this for me.

Suddenly overwhelmed by the appreciation and affection I felt for her, I turned toward her, stilling her ministrations. My hand wrapped around her wrist as she looked up at me in surprise, her eyes wide and lips parted. "Shit, did I hurt you, Bash? I'm so?—"

"No." I interrupted, stepping closer to her and cupping her jaw. The feel of her wet body against mine was so damn enticing, and my cock pulsed with the need for relief. "I couldn't stop thinking about how fucking amazing you are. That you would go out of your way to care for me…I've never had anyone do something like this for me."

"Bash," Kieran murmured softly, gazing up at me from beneath lashes that were dotted with wetness.

"Let me take care of you like you're always willing to take care of me," I practically begged her, my voice filled with the need to get my hands on her. "Please, let me take care of you. Show me every inch of this gorgeous body and teach me how to make you come."

Kieran inhaled sharply, but a moment later, she nodded wordlessly. I groaned, sliding my hand from her jaw and bringing both to slide over her ribs, appreciating every inch of her soft, silky skin. I gently rolled and pulled the material of her sports bra over her head, my mouth watering as I stared at her perfect breasts and hardened nipples.

Tossing the sports bra aside, I dipped my head and grazed her nipple with my lips on instinct, before I tugged one into my mouth. Her moan was music to my fucking ears as I teased the delicate bud with my teeth. When her nails dug into my shoulders, it only urged me to switch to the other breast, wanting to lather each with attention. With the way they fueled me, I was beginning to think I could live off the sounds coming from her mouth.

Continuing my path down her body, I knelt and removed her panties, having her step out of them as I ran my gaze over her pussy. My eyes shot up to where she watched me, and I didn't hide my need, my voice raspy as I admitted, "You are perfection, Darling. I find myself almost overwhelmed, wanting to devour every inch of you all at once."

"I wouldn't be opposed to that." Her voice was uneven and her face was pink, flushing with the same color that ran down to the top of her breasts. My eyes caught on the tantalizing trails of water that poured over them, and I realized with utter fascination that it seemed Kieran wanted me as much as I wanted her.

"You're going to have to teach me how to please you," I growled, stepping against her until her back hit the shower wall. My cock ached from where it was pressed between our bodies.

Her eyes were filled with need, and her lips parted as she squirmed against me. "Touch me, Bash. That's what I need you to do. Please."

Kieran's plea was so sweet, but she never needed to beg. I would worship her forever if she let me. My fingers slid between her legs and against the bundle of nerves at the apex of her center as a groan left my throat. Her liquid heat seeped onto my fingers as I began to explore, my eyes riveted to her face. When her head fell back against the wall, her breathing short and shallow, I realized with satisfaction that my touch was causing that look on her face. She gasped, her eyes flinging open with liquid heat pooling within them.

"Feel good, Darling?"

"Amazing," she whispered, the tips of her fingers digging into my shoulders as I continued my exploration. "I need more, though—I need your fingers inside of me."

Leaning down to press my lips against hers and sliding my tongue into her mouth, I didn't hesitate to follow her demands. I pressed one finger into her, hissing at how damn tight she was around my digit. Holy fuck.

"More," she whimpered.

I began to pump my finger in and out of her, imaging my cock inside of her as her hips rocked slightly. While that sounded fucking amazing, being able to explore her body in itself was a gift. Every piece of her I unlocked drove me crazy with the need to know more.

"Let me taste you, Darling," I demanded, although it was far more of a plea than anything. When I dropped to my knees, I practically buried my nose against her wet heat but managed to restrain myself, waiting for her answer.

"Yes, Bash—" Kieran's moan filled the space, and I nearly groaned at the sweet sound. "Oh god, yes."

"Open your legs for me," I pressed, and she slid one leg out. I followed my instincts, pulling it over my shoulder and exposing her to me completely. Fuck. She was so damn beautiful.

I may have had her on my fingers, but I wanted to drink directly from the source. To worship directly from the altar.

My restraint snapped the minute her fingers strung through my hair, a small needy tug to my hair telling me exactly what she wanted. I surged forward and buried my face against her pussy, wanting to lick up as much of her sweetness as possible. The second her taste exploded on my tongue, I knew I would never be the same.

Tracing my tongue around her clit, I groaned. I could feel her knees shaking as if they were going to go out, and her nails scraped my scalp as she called out my name. Wanting to bring her as much pleasure as possible, I buried a finger inside of her tight hole, wondering what it would take to make her come.

"Please add another finger," Kieran moaned.

Whatever she wanted, I would give. Sliding another finger inside of her, I curled the tips of them up while focusing on her clit with my mouth, sucking and teasing the bundle of nerves. My gaze traced over the curves of her body from this angle, and I watched with rapt fixation as her fingers began to tease her nipples. I loved the way she surrendered herself to the moment. My hand found my excruciatingly hard cock, feeling my own ecstasy building to its peak.

When my teeth teased her clit, she cried out my name. "Bash! I'm going to come?—"

Her voice cracked, her body trembled, and I felt her explode around my fingers and against my mouth. I groaned her name into her pussy, not embarrassed at all that I came simultaneously with her. When her cries settled to soft moans, and eventually to a breathy sigh, I pulled back from her pussy and removed my fingers.

Her lips parted slightly as she stared down at me in surprise. I kissed her hip on the way up before coming to straighten to my full height in front of her. Boxing her in against the shower wall, I studied her euphoric expression and promised myself I would do all that I could to put that look on her face—often.

"That was amazing," she whispered, her hand pressed against my chest before her gaze darted down to my cock. "I want to make you feel the same way."

"Darling, I unraveled already from the taste of you alone," I admitted, pressing my forehead against hers as she slid her hands over my shoulders. "Besides…this was about you. I wanted to learn about your body. I want to continue to do that, so that I know it better than anything else in this world."

"I'll never say no to that," she teased before pressing her lips against mine in a gentle touch. I savored the kiss before stepping back.

Motioning for her to turn, I grabbed some body wash and ran it over her skin, making sure to wash every part of her. Every part of me needed to ensure that she was cared for in the same way that she made me feel earlier.

I could tell how tired she was, her gaze slightly dazed as I rinsed both of us. I helped her out of the shower before wrapping her in a towel. Sitting her on my bed, I grabbed her an oversized shirt before getting dressed myself.

As much as I wanted to convince her to fall asleep in here, I also knew I had to play fair after making such a ruckus out of the sleeping arrangements…which meant she had to return to her room. If she happened to be wearing my clothes and thinking about me, even while one of the others was in her bed tonight, then that was just a happy coincidence.

Obviously, I wasn't doing it on purpose. Not even in the slightest. A smirk curved one side of my mouth up.

"Come on," I said, urging her through my door once she was dressed. I walked her up the stairs, her hand clasped tightly in my own. "Let's get you to bed, my sleepy Darling. Hopefully Gabe will live up to the cuddle standard I've set," I mused playfully before adding, "or else."

I tugged her in close for one last kiss, swallowing her chuckle in the process. I may not have her in my bed tonight, but I knew I had found my home in Kieran.