Chapter 41
The morning sun streams into the bedroom, bathing the space in a golden light that pulls me from sleep. The open window lets a cool morning breeze drift around us, and Crew lies next to me, the covers a tangled heap. I watch his chest rise and fall slowly, enjoying the calm that surrounds us.
I scoot closer, tracing my finger along his inked stomach.
I gently move my fingers over each wing of the butterflies, feeling the raised skin of his scars beneath.
The largest butterfly on his stomach sits low, nearly on his hip, and hides the biggest scar.
I study them, memorizing every line of his perfectly toned body, and trail my fingers up.
My eyes settle on the fresh scar I created with my own knife, feeling a flash of sadness for hurting him.
He stirs, and I try to move my hand, but he catches my wrist. I freeze and glance up to find him staring at me. Sleep weighs down his eyes, but his smile chases away the sorrow I felt just seconds ago.
“Morning,” Crew says, yawning.
“Will you get a tattoo over this one?” I point to the scar I gave him.
“Jumping right into it, are we?” He clears his throat. “Don’t you drink coffee first?”
“Nope.”
“Well, I do,” he exclaims. “Lots.”
“Come on,” I say.
He shakes his head, closes his eyes, and extends his arms wide above his head. “I won’t cover it.”
I prop on my elbows. “Why?”
He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into his chest. I feel his steady heartbeat against my temple, and I inhale deeply.
“Because it’s from you,” he says finally, his voice hoarse from sleep. “Why would I want to cover up anything that reminds me of you?”
“It’s a painful memory, though.”
“Painful experience, sure,” Crew says. “Because a knife went into my side. But it’s not a bad memory. I don’t regret anything that’s happened.”
I gently smile.
“Although,” he smirks. “I could have lived without the bullet hole in my shoulder.”
“Oh, you healed fine.”
“And you will heal, too,” he responds.
“I have.”
Crew sighs and shakes his head. “The wounds I can’t see.”
I trace his inked skin once more. “You are so sappy, Bannermin.”
He bursts into laughter and throws his body over mine, pinning me to the bed. I laugh with him as we tangle in the sheets. He leans forward, kissing my neck and sending a thrill straight between my legs.
“Would you prefer I turn that off and show you how sinful my tongue can be?”
I squeeze my thighs together, feeling the growing ache for him. He releases my arms, hovering over me. I don’t speak, because I’m too flustered and dying to touch him—any part of him—again.
I slowly drag my hands down his bare chest and stare into his eyes. He bites his lower lip, moving his mouth inches from mine.
“Well, Mara,” Crew says. “Your mouth or mine...” he trails off.
I waste no time, wrapping my hand around his dick. The delicious hardness of him sends another jolt to my throbbing core.
Deciding on my next move, I release him and push against his chest with both hands, forcing him onto his back. He places both hands behind his head and watches me as I pull down his briefs.
“Yours, I see,” Crew says.
I nod, move to his side, and lower my head into his lap while on all fours.
“I should repay the favor,” I say, dragging my tongue down his shaft.
Crew’s right hand tangles in my hair, and he squeezes hard. “Then go ahead. Wrap those flawless lips around my fucking cock, blood slinger.”
I open my mouth, gliding my wet lips and tongue around his thick shaft. His hand holds onto my hair, moving my head up and down, sliding every inch of him into my mouth and throat. The veins of his dick move over my lips, and I can’t help but moan.
He’s perfect.
A rough groan leaves his lips as he watches me intently. I slide my lips down his entire shaft and back up, flicking my tongue over his sensitive head. I keep my eyes on him as I lower my mouth, devouring him whole.
“Fuck,” Crew moans as I go deeper.
I lift my hand to work in tandem with my mouth. My hand pumps, using my saliva to slide down his shaft with ease. I suck hard, feeling him growing unbelievably stiff in my throat. The ache between my thighs builds, and a vibration sets in deep in my lower stomach.
“Touch yourself,” Crew demands. “Let me watch.”
I keep my eyes on him as I slide my free hand into my own shorts, doing exactly what he asked. I slowly guide my hand between my thighs as I insert two fingers. The sensation makes me suck harder as I throb for more. His eyes darken as the silver tint vanishes and black takes over.
“Mara, fuck,” he rasps, his eyes rolling back. “Keep going.”
I lower my mouth on his cock, taking in all I can while I trace circles around my clit. My chest heaves as Crew tightens his grip in my hair, pushing me even lower around him. I moan and remove my fingers to wrap them around his dick.
“My turn.”
Crew leans up, grabbing my hips, and throws my lower half over his face. My knees land on each side of his head, and before I can react, he rips my shorts to the side and thrusts his tongue deep into my core.
A moan leaves my lips at the sensation of Crew’s tongue entering me. I have to focus as I slide his dick back into my mouth. We work together, our mouths and hands devouring each other in perfect harmony. My legs tremble as he pushes two fingers in my pussy, and I squeeze his cock as a reaction.
Already on the verge of coming undone, I flick my tongue against the tip of his dick, teasing him before sliding down again and again. His tongue fucks me, and I move my hips against his face for more. Always more.
I feel his arms wrap around my hips, keeping me steady, and one final slow lick sends me over the edge.
I come hard against his tongue as my orgasm slams into me.
I squeeze my eyes closed, focusing on the desire and the want to pleasure Crew.
I tense, feeling the need to grind my hips, and he groans under me.
Crew’s movements become wilder, and I feel his dick twitch against my lips as he moans, coming in my mouth at the same time. His hips crash against me, and we hold one another still as we ride the wave of bliss.
His cum fills my mouth, and I swallow it, savoring its smoky taste. I remove my swollen lips from his dick and glance back to find him licking his lips against me.
The pleasure fades, and I return to my own body, breathing heavily.
Crew slaps my ass as I move away from his face and drop onto the bed with a thud.
Sweat beads on my forehead, and I take a moment to catch my breath.
He sits up, resting his elbow on his knee and twists, pressing his mouth against mine.
Our tongues meet, tasting each other, and the combination is delicious. He pulls back, wearing a lustful smile painted on his handsome face.
“You may be the death of me,” Crew says.
I huff, scrunching my nose. “There you go again, Bannermin. Careful, or I’ll change your nickname to Sappymin.”
He gets off the bed, standing bare before me, and my mouth waters.
“Oh, shut the hell up,” he says, throwing a middle finger my way.
I wink.
“Shower?” he asks.
“Absolutely.”
I stand, sliding off my shorts, and he drinks me in with his eyes while I walk to the bathroom to turn on the water. The warm steam fills the room like white smoke, and I step inside the glass shower, Crew following shortly after tossing his clothes onto the vanity.
The hot water hits my skin as I move my face completely under the stream, letting it rain over me.
My vision blurs, but I notice Crew watching me, experiencing this moment just like I am.
I turn my face to the water, savoring the peaceful moment we share.
The normalcy of what we're doing stops me from letting my mind wander about how this won’t last.
I feel Crew’s presence behind me as he steps forward, wrapping his arms around my waist. I lean my head back against his chest and feel my body relax.
“Our assignment should be interesting,” he says, placing his chin atop my head. “Don’t you think?”
I turn to face him and give him some time under the water.
“I haven’t had time to study yet,” I reply.
He tips his head back, and I watch the water roll down his muscled chest and stomach.
“No need,” Crew responds, wiping the water from his face. “I know who it is and where we are going.”
“Who?”
I tilt my head, take the coconut vanilla soap, and squeeze some into my hand. His brows raise, and he chuckles.
“I’m going to smell so badass.”
“Oh, hush,” I say, rubbing my hands together to soap his abs. “Who is the assignment, and where are we going?”
He takes the same soap, rubbing it in his palms, and trails his hands down my back. “I’d rather not discuss another man while naked in the shower.”
“Oh, don’t act like you haven’t showered with Damien and Locke before.”
He tilts his head back into the water and erupts with laughter. I chuckle quietly to myself and watch as his strong chest vibrates with joy.
“That’s a story for another time, baby.”
“So, who is it?”
Crew lets out a heavy exhale. “Otto Hannes.”
“You expect me to know who that is?”
He gives me a sly grin, placing the soap in his dark hair. “I thought you might, since last time I saw you with him, you had your tongue down his throat.”
My mind snaps back to the night he’s referring to, when Shaw and Talon had to pull me out of the bar.
“I… don’t know who that is,” I say, almost embarrassed.
Crew laughs again. “Otto owns The Neon Sin.”
I nearly crash to the ground. God, I’m such a fucking idiot. I had no idea who he was the night I blacked out.
“That’s perfect.” I place my palm on my forehead.
Crew grabs my wrist and pulls my chin to meet his gaze. “We all do dumb things drunk, and we aren’t going to murder him. But if he tries anything again regarding you, I will.”
“We aren’t going to kill him?”
“No.”
“Why do they want him dead?”
“Because they’re right. He’s been helping me gather intel for two years.”