Chapter Eleven #3
“What the fuck are you doing in here?” I yell at it, because apparently I expect an answer.
It moves again, and I scream again.
Hell no.
I grab the towel off the hook and wrap it around myself so fast I nearly strangle myself with it.
There’s movement outside the bathroom followed by Revel’s voice.
“Cece?”
Thank God.
I rush to the door, unlock it, and yank it open.
Revel is standing there with a takeout bag in one hand and the room key in the other, eyebrows pulled together.
“Uh, what's going on?”
“There is a monster in the shower.”
His expression changes immediately. “A monster?”
“Yes!”
He stares at me, then looks over my shoulder into the bathroom, and back at me.
“Monster? Are we sure?”
“Yes, cabrón. A massive fucking monster. On the wall. In the shower.”
His mouth twitches, but he sets the food down and heads toward the bathroom instead of laughing.
I stay near the vanity, gripping the towel closed while he steps through the steam and leans toward the shower.
For a second, he just stares.
Then he looks back at me.
“Mama.”
“What?”
“That’s a lizard.”
“I know what it is.”
His grin starts immediately. “That’s your monster?”
He leans into the shower, watching it skitter higher up the tile. “Brown anole. Shit, he's a big one too. Probably like four inches.”
I look at him slowly. “You would think four inches is big.”
His eyes cut straight to mine, and instead of taking the bait, his mouth pulls into that smug fucking grin. “Oh, we’re doing this?”
“Just making an observation.”
“Mm-hm.” He steps closer, clearly enjoying himself now. “Pretty sure you know exactly how many inches I’ve got, Mama.”
“Do I?”
“Yeah, you fucking do.” His gaze drags down me before coming back to my face. “And from what I remember, you weren’t exactly filing complaints.”
I fight the smile trying to break through. “Maybe I was being polite.”
He laughs. “You? Polite? Now I know you’re full of shit.”
“Your ego is disgusting.” I point toward the shower. “Can you put all those impressive inches to work and get the fucking lizard?”
His grin widens. “See? Knew you were impressed.” He looks back at the lizard. “Though, I’m petty sure this little dude is more scared of you than you are of him.”
“Good. He should be. Now get him the fuck out of my shower.”
Revel shakes his head, still laughing as he reaches toward the wall. “All right, Mama. I’ll handle your monster.” His eyes flick to mine, that cocky fucking grin spreading across his face. “Then you can handle mine.”
He actually winks.
I point at the lizard. “Get rid of him, pendejo.”
“Little dude was just hanging out. Probably scared as shit after you screamed at him.”
“Revel.”
“All right, all right.” He laughs, turning back to the wall. “Come on, little man. Your lease is up.”
I immediately take another step back. “Do not let that thing jump.”
“It weighs like three grams. It’s harmless.”
“I don’t give a fuck. Keep it away from me.”
He laughs again, somehow scoops the lizard up without losing a finger, and carries it out toward the balcony like this is an entirely normal part of his day.
I stay exactly where I am.
My heart is still pounding way too fast, partly from the scare and partly because my body had already been wound tight before nature decided to personally attack me.
The balcony door slides open and then shuts again.
A few seconds later, Revel strolls back into the bathroom looking way too fucking pleased with himself.
“Threat neutralized. Miami is safe again.”
I roll my eyes. “Your bravery will be remembered.”
“I know. Pretty heroic shit.” He stops in front of me, grin still there as his eyes move over my face before taking their sweet fucking time traveling lower. “Although I’m starting to think I deserve a reward for risking my life like that.”
“You relocated a lizard, papi.”
“A monster,” he corrects. “Your words, not mine.”
“Don’t push it.”
His grin only gets worse as his gaze continues down me. “Oh, I plan to.”
I become painfully aware I’m standing in a steamy bathroom wearing nothing but a towel that barely reaches the tops of my thighs.
His eyes darken as he looks me up and down.
“Better?” he asks, and somehow his voice is quieter now.
“No.”
“No?”
“I’m traumatized.”
His mouth curves. “Need me to check the rest of the bathroom for wildlife?”
“Ay, shut up.”
He takes another step closer, still smiling, but there’s something softer underneath it. “Mama, you’re actually shaking.”
“No shit. I swear I screamed myself into cardiac arrest.”
His hand comes up, fingers brushing lightly over my upper arm. “You’re good now. It’s gone.”
The reassurance and feeling of his skin on mine should calm me down, but it does the exact opposite.
Because my body was already overheated before he came in here.
Now he’s standing close enough I can smell him beneath the steam, his hand warm against my skin, that stupid smug little smile fading while his eyes stay on mine.
And suddenly I’m thinking about the car again.
About control and his bedroom.
About everything I was thinking five minutes ago before a demonic reptile interrupted my terrible decision-making.
Revel’s thumb moves once over my skin.
“Earth to Cece, you okay?”
I kiss him.
No warning or smart ass comment.
I grab just the front of his shirt and pull his mouth down to mine.
He makes a surprised sound against my lips that immediately turns into a low laugh, his hands catching my waist through the towel as I back into the counter.
“So fucking bossy,” he murmurs against my mouth, clearly enjoying it.
“Shut up.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
I kiss him again before I can over think it.
The steam curls around us, the counter cool against the backs of my thighs while Revel crowds in close, still careful even though the teasing in his expression tells me he knows exactly what kind of mood he just walked back into.
My fingers curl into his shirt.
His forehead touches mine for half a second.
“You sure?”
I look at him. That tiny pause does something to me all over again.
The fact that he still asks. After everything.
I pull him back down into me.
“Less talking, pretty boy.”
His grin flashes. “Finally, something we agree on, Mama.”
He brings his hand up between us, two fingers brushing across my bottom lip. I know exactly what he wants before that cocky little lift of his brow confirms it.
I open my mouth.
His gaze darkens as my lips close around his fingers, and suck. The playful edge in his expression sharpening while he watches me.
“Fuck,” he mutters, dragging them slowly free.
Then his hand trails down my throat, over my chest and stomach, taking the long way down like he has all the fucking time in the world.
Revel’s fingers slide between my folds without warning, two thick digits pushing inside while his thumb circles my clit in lazy strokes. The counter digs into my hips, cabinets rattling every time he thrusts deeper.
My breath stutters. “Fuck—Revel.”
He curls his fingers, hitting that spot that makes my knees buckle. “Eyes on me, Mama.”
His free hand closes firmly around my jaw, tilting my face up until I’m staring straight at him. The cocky smirk disappears, replaced by something darker as his grip tightens just enough to make the command clear.
“That’s it. Keep those pretty fucking eyes on me while you ride my fingers. I want to watch every second of what I’m doing to you.”
I drop the towel, and yank his shirt up over his head, tossing it somewhere on the bathroom floor. My hands find his chest, nails scraping over ink and muscle.
A rough groan rolls out of him as he pulls his fingers free, but instead of moving on, he brings them to his mouth. His eyes stay locked on mine while his tongue drags slowly over them.
“Fuck, Mama.” His voice comes out lower. “You taste so fucking good.”
“Then stop fucking teasing me.”
I’m already restless against the counter, hips shifting toward him on instinct, chasing the contact he just took away. Every second he spends standing there looking smug only makes the ache worse.
“Revel.” His name comes out breathier than I want it to. “I need you.”
His expression changes immediately and he freezes.
Actually fucking freezes.
His eyes snap to mine, and whatever smart-ass comment was waiting on his tongue disappears.
“Say that again.”
I swallow, suddenly very aware of what I just handed him. “You heard me.”