Chapter 11 Stripped Down
Juniper
The moment I unlocked the front door, we stumbled inside.
Caspian dropped the bag and kicked the door shut.
I couldn’t wait a second longer. My hands pressed to his hot skin, running over the muscles of his abdomen and then around to his lower back.
They flexed under my fingers, and I fought back a groan.
Caspian looked at me like he was ready to devour me.
“We need to shower off the saltwater,” I whispered.
Caspian nodded, lifting me up again until my legs wrapped around his waist, as he strode back toward the master bathroom.
Still in our swimsuits, we tumbled through the door. Caspian set me on the counter and then reached into the shower and cranked the water on.
His soft, gray eyes met mine for a moment, and I felt something fall into place inside of me, like an understanding between my soul and his.
Steam drifted from the shower, and I slid from the counter, pulling him into the shower behind me. For once, he didn’t have a smug grin on his face. He looked reverent, like he couldn’t believe what was happening.
Hot water pounded over my shoulders, washing away the salt and brine. Caspian reached up and ran his fingers through my hair, brushing it back from my face and gently untangling the slick strands. His palms skimmed down my back, resting at the tie of my bikini.
Slowly, achingly, I reached back and untied the knot at my neck. Caspian tugged at the knot at my back, and the swimsuit top slipped from my body. Caspian hung it over the top of the glass without taking his eyes off my body.
“I didn’t know anyone could be this exquisite,” he murmured.
I shivered despite the hot water as his calloused fingertips trailed around my ribs and traced the bottom of my heavy breasts. The grazing touch stole my breath, and my chest rose and fell as I tried to suck in enough air.
Caspian reached past me and flipped the stopper on the tub. Water began to pool around our feet as it streamed from the showerhead .
His fingers tangled in my hair, and he tilted my head up. Water streamed across my face as he lowered his mouth to mine in a slow, sensuous kiss.
The water rose to our calves, and Caspian pulled me down until I straddled him and the water rose to my waist. It still rained down over my back as I leaned forward and kissed him over and over, losing myself in the feel of his tongue plunging into my mouth and his hands cradling my breasts.
Eventually the tub filled, and he turned the water off.
He was hard underneath me, but he didn’t push for more, content to kiss my neck. He worked his way lower, until I leaned back and he closed his mouth over one peaked nipple.
“Caspian,” I moaned.
He pinched my other nipple, and I shuddered. He squeezed tighter and dragged his tongue up my sternum to my throat.
My fingers dug into his back as his teeth skimmed the delicate skin of my neck.
My dream where he bit me flashed behind my eyes, and I ground down on him, trying to seek after the intense ache between my legs.
“I could do this forever,” he said against my ear.
It was so tempting.
Around us, the water swirled and frothed. My magic overflowed, churning the water as I fought the desire I felt for him.
“Caspian, we should get out,” I ground out, breathless .
“Why?”
Because if we stay here a second longer, either my magic will explode or we’ll end up having sex. Neither of which is a good idea .
Instead of relaying those thoughts, I said, “We can’t spend the entire day in the tub. I have things I need to get done.”
“There’s nothing more important than this,” he hummed, running his thumbs over my nipples again.
My protest died in my throat.
Leaning forward, I threaded my fingers into his silver hair and brushed my lips over his. “How about you help me with the rest of the welcome totes and then I’ll reward you for it?”
“Fine,” he growled.
When I tilted my head and let out a breathless laugh, he took the opportunity to bite down on the side of my neck. It was hard enough to sting, but not break the skin. A bolt of heat shot through me.
“Is that what you want for your reward? To bite me?” My words were meant to be sarcastic, but they came out in a whimper.
“Baby, you have no idea.” His voice seeped into my blood, and suddenly the last thing I wanted to do was get out of the warm water and off of his body.
Letting out a low groan, I pushed off of him and reached for a towel. He grinned, baring those sharp canines. I wanted them in my skin.
Since when did I have a bite kink?
Shaking my head, I wrapped myself in a towel and turned away so I wouldn’t stare at his impressive erection as he stood up and wrapped a clean towel around his swimsuit-clad lower body.
My heart climbed into my throat. All I wanted to do was turn around and strip us both naked.
My self-control frayed more and more the closer we got, and that was very, very bad.