Chapter 39 Bastian
BASTIAN
Icarried Lark into the penthouse.
We were both dirty and smelled, but we were very much alive.
And Dean wasn’t.
She still hadn’t said much. I didn’t like how still and spaced out she was. I strode straight into the bathroom and set her on the edge of the tub.
“Let’s get you warm and clean.” I turned the shower to hot, then shrugged my dirty tux jacket off. She watched me as I pulled my bowtie free, then unbuttoned my shirt. The fabric was streaked with dirt and stains.
I pulled her to her feet. It only took me seconds to have the red dress pooling at her ankles. It was ruined, but I’d get her another one. She looked so good in it. Her bra and panties followed.
I urged her into the shower and quickly shucked my pants and boxers.
She stood under the water, head bowed. I pressed my hands to her slim shoulders and kneaded. She leaned back into my body. I squirted some shower gel into my palm, then soaped up my body and washed off the sewer. I squirted more gel, then took my time cleaning her arms, her legs, her body.
“We made it,” I murmured. “Dean’s gone.”
Dark eyes met mine. “I thought I’d feel better. About Ed.” She sighed. “I don’t.”
“It’ll take time, baby.” Next, I shampooed her hair, working it deep into the strands.
“We’ll never fully come to terms with his choice to kill.
A part of him was broken, Lark. He lost a part of himself.
We both knew another side of him. We’ll have to find a way to reconcile that both parts of him existed. ”
She made a sad sound.
I cupped her cheeks. “I’ve seen evil men be good husbands and loving fathers. I’ve seen hardened drug dealers stop to save a dog. I’ve seen the worst criminals still have a code of honor. We knew Ed had some good in him. We need to learn to live with all his shades. The gray all the way to black.”
She bit her lip and nodded, but I still felt the tension humming through her body.
“Let it go, little bird.”
She pressed her face to my chest and started to cry. It wasn’t wild sobbing, just quiet, painful tears.
This tough little assassin cried in my arms. I held her tightly and pressed my cheek to her wet hair, the water pouring over both of us. I wished I could take away her pain.
I couldn’t do that, but I could hold her up while she dealt with it.
I would do everything in my power to make her happy. To show her why she shouldn’t leave me.
Eventually, the tears stopped.
She shot me a faint smile. “Thank you. I feel better.”
I rubbed my thumb along her jaw. “Good.”
“Thank you for helping me take Dean down. I’m glad I got justice for my parents. I’m glad he can’t hurt anyone else.”
“We’re done giving him any more attention. Soon, he’ll just be dust in the desert.” I’d already asked Nash and the others to deal with his body.
I worked some conditioner into her hair. She tilted her head back.
“For a man, you have lots of fancy lotions and potions.”
“I like nice things.”
“I know.”
I pulled her close and kissed her. “Like you.”
“I’m not nice.” Her voice was breathy.
“You can be. To me. Sometimes.” I nipped her lips.
The leftover emotions and adrenaline from the evening surged in both of us, changing, looking for a release. Heat ignited in her eyes.
She leaped up and I caught her. Her legs wrapped around my waist, and blood surged into my cock.
Then we were devouring each other. I pinned her to the tiles.
“I need you inside me,” she panted.
“Yes.” I shoved her legs wider and plunged inside her with one thrust. Her nails bit into my shoulders.
But I didn’t want to go fast this time. I wanted to go slow, to savor her. My next thrust was deliberate, measured.
She moaned, her hips rocking against me. “Move.”
“I am.” I bit her earlobe.
“Faster.”
I met her gaze. “No, this time we go slow.” I took my time, each plunge unhurried and thorough. I tilted her hips so I grazed her clit.
I didn’t look away from her soulful brown eyes. I felt the pleasure building. Her eyelids fluttered.
“No, eyes on me, Lark.”
Her chest hitched. I knew she felt the intimacy. Our connection.
I hiked one of her thighs higher. Desire grew into knots inside me, and I had no choice but to move faster.
Soon, she was panting, clinging to me.
Each time I moved inside her slick warmth, a low groan escaped me.
“Bastian.”
“Go over, Lark. I’ll be right behind you.”
Her body tensed, then she was coming. She cried out my name.
As her inner muscles clenched on me, I lost the grip on my control. With two more hard thrusts, I was coming.
“Fuck. Jesus. Lark.” I thrust her head to the side and sank my teeth into her neck.
She came again with a sharp cry.
I wasn’t sure how long we stayed there, pressed to the tiles, both of us panting and the water rushing over us.
But finally, I managed to slap at the faucet and turn the shower off.
I gripped Lark’s ass and carried her out of the shower stall.
I snagged a towel on the way and carried her to the bed.
I laid her back in the covers. She looked flushed and content. I gave my body a quick swipe with the towel, then started to dry her off. I took my time, watching the goosebumps rise on her skin. I played with her pink nipples until they were hard. She made a soft sound, her eyelids drooping.
Then I turned off the lamp and curled my body around hers. I slid an arm around her, holding her close.
“Sleep now, little bird.”
She made a sleepy murmur. “Safe.”
I felt her breathing even out. Emotions moved around inside me, intense and clear. I nuzzled her damp hair, enjoying my scent on her skin.
“You’re always safe with me. You’re mine. Forever and always. No one escapes the Reaper.” I breathed her in. “I love you, Lark.”
Then keeping her close, I let sleep take me.