Chapter 41
I hobbled up the stairs one at a time, holding on to the banister with a death grip. Everything hurt. From my tiny pinky toes to the top of my head. I’d been punched and kicked and tripped. My muscles had strained and stretched. And now I was done.
Dash had stretched me out after the training session, but as we were all eating dinner, I could feel my body revolting. I’d excused myself before dessert, telling them I was heading to bed early, but really, my bathtub was calling me. I prayed the hot water would ease my aching muscles.
But I had to get up the steps first.
I glared up at the imposing staircase. “Why do they have to live in a monstrosity of a house?” I grumbled.
Holding tight to the banister, I hauled myself up one step at a time. By the time I reached the top, I was panting, and my muscles felt as if they were on fire.
I was going to pour salt in Cillian’s coffee tomorrow. No, ex-lax.
Grimacing, I made my way down the hall. My walk was more of a shuffle because it hurt to actually lift my feet off the floor, but it was movement, nonetheless.
It took me three times as long to reach my bedroom as it usually did, but I finally made it. Opening the door, Briar greeted me with a loud meow.
“Hey, girl. I’ll give you scratches after my bath.”
Nothing was going to stop me from making my way to that massive tub.
I shuffled into the bathroom and turned on the water. It only took seconds for it to turn blissfully scorching. I bent to push down the stopper, and my legs cried out in pain. I bit the inside of my cheek and straightened.
Breathing deep, I gave myself a few seconds for the pain to subside. Then I pulled my T-shirt up and over my head. A whimper left my lips. Every tiny move killed.
“Let me,” a rough voice said from behind me.
I whirled, more pain flaring.
Trace stalked across the room, annoyance clear on his face. “I knew it was a bad idea.”
“I’m fine,” I lied.
He scoffed. “Yeah, I can tell by your grandma moves and your cries of pain.”
I snapped my mouth closed.
“Lift your arms,” Trace commanded.
I could argue, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good. So, I simply obeyed.
Trace slipped his fingers under the elastic of my sports bra and pulled it up and over my head. The second his hands skimmed my flesh, a bit of the pain subsided. I couldn’t help the sigh that left my lips.
He cursed and curved his hands around my waist. My head instantly dropped to his shoulder, relishing in the easing of my pain.
“Why?” he rasped.
“I have to get better. Stronger. I don’t want to be weak anymore.”
Trace wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him. “You have never been weak.”
I let his incubus energy flow through me, easing the worst of my pain.
A throat cleared, and my head lifted to see Dash hovering in the door.
“I brought a tonic for your bath. It’ll help your muscles recover.”
I gave him a wobbly smile. “Thank you.”
Even though none of them agreed with what I’d done, they were still here, helping.
Dash strode across the marble floor and toward the tub. He sprinkled something into the water. It was powdery with flower petals mixed in, and the second it hit the water, a heavenly scent filled the air.
“That smells incredible,” I said, still holding on to Trace.
“I added rose and gardenia,” Dash said as he stirred the water with his hand.
Trace released his hold on me. “I’m going to get your sweats and shoes, okay?”
I nodded, but the second he wasn’t touching me, the pain returned. Not as bad as it had been before but not pleasant either.
Trace moved quickly, removing my sneakers and socks and then slipping his fingers into the band of my sweatpants and panties. I sucked in a breath as he pulled them down gently. My face heated at the proximity of his face to the apex of my thighs.
“Not now, Little Bird. You’re hurting.”
I bit my lip.
He moved quickly, lifting me bridal-style and depositing me into the water.
The heat of the bath sent a low moan slipping from my lips.
“Too hot?” Dash asked.
“Perfect,” I said, closing my eyes and tipping my head back.
Trace knelt behind me and began kneading my shoulders gently. His touch and the water instantly ate away at my pain.
Dash slid his hands into the water and began massaging my foot.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Don’t you see by now?” Dash said softly. “We’d do anything for you.”
The warmth of his words, in combination with the heat from their hands, swirled around me.
“I love you,” I mumbled, half-drunk on Trace’s magic.
“We love you, too. We just hate seeing you put yourself through this,” Trace rumbled.
“Not now,” Dash whispered. His hands moved higher, massaging my calf and then my thigh.
“Keep your eyes closed,” Trace whispered. “Just feel.”
I did as he instructed, my lids already so heavy.
Trace’s hands dipped from my shoulders to my breasts. He palmed them, gently massaging, working his way toward my nipples.
I could feel my breasts growing heavy in his hands, but I didn’t open my eyes. I focused on the sensations ricocheting through my body.
Dash’s fingers slid between my thighs. He stroked and petted, soothing and teasing.
My breaths came quicker as my back arched. The movement lifted my breasts out of the water, and Trace dipped his head, taking a nipple into his mouth.
A moan slipped from my lips as he sucked, gently at first and then harder.
Dash slipped two fingers inside me, stroking. My mouth fell open. I had no words, only breath and need.
He slid in a third, teasing that spot deep inside as his thumb circled my clit.
It was as if Dash and Trace had telepathy, both moving in mirroring tempos and pressures. My muscles tensed, but there was no pain, only pure pleasure.
“Let go,” Dash growled.
He pressed down on my clit, and I shattered. The orgasm was a soft, rolling wave, sweeping through and releasing any hint of discomfort that remained in my body.
“Thank you,” I said in a garbled voice.
Trace chuckled. “Anytime, Little Bird.”
And at his words, I let sleep claim me.