I’d never been in a relationship serious enough for a man to take care of me in such an intimate way. But I wasn't in a relationship with Timur at all. Yet here we were…
He finished rinsing my hair and picked up the discarded washcloth from the edge of the tub.
“Have you ever given a bath to someone before?” I asked, watching him from under my eyelashes.
“No,” he replied simply, then pressed on my shoulder slightly to make me lean forward.
I shifted, following his silent request, and he washed my back. The soft caress of the cloth was suddenly replaced by the glide of his claws along my spine. The sensation was both alarming and alluring. Goosebumps ran over my skin. Tingles of pleasure spread through me with a warm shiver.
“Timur…” I turned my head, trying to look at him over my shoulder.
But he silently pressed a side of his face to my temple, keeping me in place. His left hand slipped over my shoulder and cupped my throat. He stroked my neck, spreading the soap sudsover my skin. His lips touched the shell of my ear as his hand glided over my collarbones then down to cup my breast.
I could’ve stopped him. If I didn’t want his hand on my breast or his fingers playing with my nipple, if I disliked his soft breathing above my ear and his gentle kisses on my temple, I was sure it’d only take a word or even a gesture from me to stop him. Except that stopping Timur was the furthest from my mind.
Soft, contented moans sounded from behind the screen, echoing the pleasure spreading through my body. The lords were enjoying Timur’s touch with me. Unbelievably, that realization only spurred my desire.
My arousal surged, making me forget all about the lords, or the servants, or anyone else. The world around us shrank and blurred, turning into a candle-lit haze that filtered through my lowered eyelashes. There was just the warm water in the tub, the sensation of Timur’s hands on my body, and the steadily growing desire pulsing low in my belly. The rest fell away. At that moment, nothing else mattered.
I opened my legs, with my knees bent. The water moved around my thighs.
“More, Timur. Please touch me more…” I exhaled in a barely-there whisper.
A rumble vibrated deep inside his throat. His claws scraped against the tub as he gripped the edge of the shell next to my head. His head dropped lower, his lips trailing down the side of my neck as his left hand sank into the water, moving down my belly, then between my legs. Circling his wrist, I directed his touch exactly where I needed it.
Air left me in a rush when his fingers finally stroked my most sensitive spot. I couldn’t remember if a man had ever touched me without his own gratification like this. It’d been so long since I had been touched at all. But all cohesive thoughts eventuallyceased as need throbbed urgently between my legs. I didn’t even care that others felt it with me.
“Oh God…I need…”
Timur’s fingers suddenly paused their tantalizing dance on my clit.
“Do you want me to stop?” he asked breathlessly.
I had no chance to reply.
“No! Don’t stop.” The order came from behind the screen. “I’ll double the money. I’ll triple it!” Lord Arnaf shrieked.
I ignored him. Timur did too. Because it wasn’t about money. At this point, it was only about me.
Timur’s soft breath fanned over my shoulder. I turned my head, and his lips touched the corner of my mouth. It wasn’t exactly a kiss, but it felt just as intimate.
“Tell me to stop, my sweet. Now,” he rasped. “While I’m still able to.”
I said nothing, silently tugging his hand down again, back where his touch felt so exceptionally good.
He growled low through his clenched teeth. His claws scraped against the shell, but the fingers of his left hand remained gentle as he pressed them to my most sensitive spot.
My pleasure spiked. My legs trembled. I arched my back, then lifted my hips, craving more of his touch. He rubbed harder. I hugged his arm with both hands, needing to hold on to him as he unleashed my orgasm.
Pleasure rolled through my body, momentarily blinding me to the world. And when it finally ebbed, I waited for doubt, unease, or even regret to come next. But all I felt was…comfort.
Warmth enveloped me. I eased my grip on Timur’s arm and leaned my head against his bicep.
I felt like I could stay like this forever. But he held unnaturally still, breathing in shallow, labored pants. Iremembered that unlike the lords, Timur wasn’t connected to me. He felt no release, just tension.
This wasn’t some kind of a romantic date after all. The purpose of us being here was to trade my pleasure. And we did just that.
Reluctantly, I released his arm and sat up, getting ready to climb out of the shell-tub.