Chapter 56 Sai
What’s that shit people say when they see something they can’t believe?
She’s a vision. That’s it, right?
Because when I shove past Julien, Zeek and Kane into the bathroom, the steam parts like some divine act—and there she is.
My Red.
Fiery curls piled high, skin deliciously flush, cheek resting against the edge of the tub like some beautiful masterpiece.
And then she smiles.
Right at the four of us. Right at my fucking heart.
Yeah. She’s a painting, alright. A work of art.
My muse.
But then she frowns. “Aren’t you guys coming in?”
I’m already grabbing the bottom of my t-shirt, ready to rip that fucker off and dive headfirst—
“Not into the actual bath, you dickhead,” Zeek mutters, grabbing my arm.
I zap him, sparks snapping between us.
“Bastard,” he hisses aloud, letting go.
“She’s never had a bath.” Kane’s words stop my steps. It’s the way he says them, heavy and pained, like it’s cracked something in that stone-cold chest of his.
And now my chest feels achy too, because it’s not a tiny detail, not really. It’s massive.
Her first fucking bath?
I glance back at Red. Her smile’s faded, just a little, because we’re all standing here like a bunch of fucking useless idiots.
Fuck that.
I shove down the ache Kane’s words stirred, plastering on a wide grin as I stride in. “You like the bath, baby?”
She smiles back, soft and shy, with a small nod.
That’s it. Game over.
We’re putting a bath in every damn room.
Hell, we’ll build her a temple of baths. The Greeks did that shit, right? Marble, steam, water, nakedness.
All of it. But only for us.
“Already in mind,” Julien says, the smug bastard reading my thoughts like they’re printed on my face.
She’s buried under milky, pink water, thick bubbles—hidden, but that makes it so much worse. Every time she shifts, I catch glimpses of her tempting, luscious body. When she trails her fingers through the water, the gaps reveal the tiniest hint of smooth skin.
Tiny, maddening flashes.
I crouch beside the tub, bringing our faces level. “You want company, Red?” I smirk, making sure my dimples are pulling their weight. “I’m pretty much a bath connoisseur, you know. Could show you the ropes.”
She lets out a soft laugh, and I swear I forget how to breathe.
Forget what I’m saying. Forget who I am.
Then she leans in and whispers, “Maybe you could tell me why they’re not coming in?” She says it like a joke, but there’s a tremble there. A bit of doubt.
I glance back at the idiots still frozen in the doorway.
“Well, Red, it might have something to do with you being the most stunning creature we’ve ever seen, and you’re here… naked. Smiling at us. All wet and soapy and naked… Did I already say that?” She’s laughing again, so I take that as a yes. “So yeah. Even took me a few seconds to resurface.”
Her blush deepens, eyes turning a little hazy, because she likes it. Likes knowing she has this effect on us. She has no idea.
She glances at the others, then lowers her voice again. “So… asking people to come into the room when you’re in a bath isn’t, like, a faux pas?”
Goddessdamn, she’s so fucking sexy.
“You speaking French now, baby?”
Her voice is soft, almost shy. “I’ve been learning a little, on my phone.”
I grin, already imagining what other filthy phrases we could teach her. “Julien, get over here and translate.”
He’s there in an instant, perched on the edge of the bath near her knees—smooth, wet knees now emerging from the bubbles like the sexiest magic trick I’ve ever seen.
“No, mon ame,” he says, voice thick, eyes going everywhere. Poor guy’s trying not to stare, and failing miserably. Same. “Not a faux pas. But only for us.”
She frowns. “But you can’t see anything? I’m literally covered—”
“No one else.” Kane’s voice is cutting and crisp, dripping with that possessive edge only Daddy Darkness can deliver as he finally enters.
“Maybe dial back the possessiveness just a touch?” I mutter, eyes still on Red. But she doesn’t seem to hear.
Interesting…
“In some places…” Julien’s voice is all smooth, like he’s narrating a fantasy, bastard’s using every chance he can get to be all suave and charming, “...they have places called onsens. Outdoor baths, surrounded by nature.”
“Outside?” she breathes. “Like a pool? But... wouldn’t it get cold?”
“They’re heated by natural hot springs,” he murmurs, brushing his fingers over her knee.
“No magic?”
He softly shakes his head.
Her eyes widen, then she breathes out, “Wow.”
“We’re going to an onsen the second that barrier’s down.”
“Agreed,” all three confirm with me—completely in sync.
Zeek finally steps in, moving to stand beside his brother.
Julien keeps talking, describing a specific onsen with monkeys, and Red’s eyes keep getting wider with every detail.
I glance at the brothers now standing on the other side of the bath, arms crossed, eyes on her, their whole Alpha energy on full display.
“Testing, testing—are you listening, Red?”
No reaction. She’s too caught up in Julien’s nature talk.
Bingo.
I face them, grinning while they glare. “Not that I’m not absolutely loving bath time, but how did this happen?”
“Jasmine.” Ezekial steps forwards, crouching opposite me on the other side of the bath, voice all soft and diplomatic. “You should know, Sai is trying to have a private conversation with us.”
“You fucking snitch.” The glare I shoot that fucking Lord with his smug little smirk could split stone.
Red tilts her head to me, all mock-accusatory and cute as hell, but her lips curl into a smile that tells me I’m not in that much trouble.
“Baby, I was just trying to be a gentleman,” I say, maybe even flutter my lashes a little. “Just checking why you’re in the bath. I wasn’t sure if it’s something you’d want to share with the group…”
I shoot a death glare at Zeek. “In case it was embarrassing, you fucking pompous twat—”
“Ezekial kidnapped me,” Red says casually, in our minds, with a soft little laugh that slices straight through my insult. Through my entire brain. “And then… things happened.”
“Things?” I repeat aloud.
But she doesn’t need to answer, Zeek’s shit-eating grin does it for her. Then he mouths the word twice.
“Rookie numbers,” I murmur, smirking at Julien who smiles with agreement.
When I look back at Zeek, we’re both smiling—really smiling, and his eyes have this dangerous spicy glint that says so much.
I’ve only ever shared someone with Julien, but if Zeek and I could share as passionately as we fought…
Shit. I’m getting ahead of myself, but from the look in his eyes that’s only brightened, for once, we seem to be on the same page.
“And how’re you feeling, baby?” I smirk, focusing back on her.
Those pretty red eyes search my face as her warm fingers reach my cheek. I lean into her palm, curling my hand around hers.
“Good,” she says softly, with a sweet little smile just for me. “Just a bit tired.”
“And the rune?” Julien’s gaze flits between the brothers.
“Altered,” Kane replies, stepping a little closer.
“I think maybe even more than last time?” Red adds, glancing at Ezekial… then Kane.
“Maybe because there was… well…” Her cheeks flush, and she stares hard at the bubbles.
And Kane—fuck me, he’s actually smiling. Again.
My mouth drops open as I turn to Julien, and he’s already looking straight at me, an amused flicker in his gaze before we both stare at Mr. Dark, Silent and Possessive.
“So you do know how to share? Thank fuck.”
Kane ignores me, just steps closer to the head of the bath, staring down at Red like she’s the only thing in the room, in the world.
“When did you last eat?” he murmurs.
She tilts her head back, looking up at him. “When did you?” Then she quirks a sharp brow.
And… I’m hard.
Damn.
Seeing Red wet, naked and surrounded by bubbles—hot.
Seeing all that and having an attitude with Kane? Scorching.
He moves closer, fingers sinking into her hair, gripping and pulling until her head tilts back further.
The steam’s already thick, but it turns smothering when he leans down to whisper something in her ear, and her chest flushes deeper.
This is turning into a very erotic painting.
“You’re eating.” Kane’s soft command is sealed with a kiss to her stretched throat. When Red doesn’t respond, Kane’s lips tick up into what I’m realising is a smile. He withdraws his fingers and rises. “We’ll wait for you in the kitchen.”
Daddy Darkness gives us all a look, a silent, stern order that almost has me saluting, then flits.
Zeek leans in next, pressing a chaste kiss to her forehead. Then he glances at Julien and me. “Come on.”
I’m still holding Red’s hand against my cheek, and I’m not moving a fucking inch.
Lord-Can’t-Keep-A-Secret huffs, rolls his eyes, and flits.
“I won’t be much longer,” Red says, her voice all soft, eyes a little hazier. Then she looks at Julien. “And don’t tell Kane but… I am kinda hungry, but only if you’re cooking.”
Julien leans down, brushing her knee with his lips. Her breath hitches, and his gaze darkens as he stares at her. “Your wish is my command.”
He flits without another word.
And I know that’s my cue. With a loud, definitely-not-dramatic sigh, I turn my head, closing my eyes as I kiss her palm and breathe her in.
“I think this was a pretty successful first bath.” She smiles, and leans forwards, placing a soft kiss to my lips.
Having absolutely no idea that those simple words just reopened a giant fissure in my chest.
“Sai,” Julien calls, fracturing a little of the haze.
I nearly don’t leave.
Nearly.
But I need to, because we need to fix this. I flit.
In the kitchen, they’re all talking. Their voices quiet and casual, but I don’t hear a thing because Red’s words play on repeat, looping over and over.
She’d never had a bath.
Not in five years.
Not once.
What else hasn’t she had? What other small, stupid things have we all taken for granted?
“My friend, has something—”