until he tasted blood. “Right here, baby.”
She must have let go of Marian, because both Myrt’s hands cradled his face, pulling him closer as she leaned her forehead against his, mirroring the pose he’d taken with her so many times. “We’re all here. We’re safe with you. You saved the boys.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, and cheek to cheek spoke into his ear. “Saved me. I’m right here too…” The pause was long, so long he thought she was done talking. “Baby,” she finished finally, and he thought it was the sweeter for having to wait.
He stood and she rose from the chair, nestling her shoulder against his ribs, fitting underneath his arm as if she’d always been there with him. Marian watched them carefully, caution keeping her features blank. “I’m going to stay over here.” He thumbed over his shoulder. “Gunny’s put himself across the hallway.” Bane ran his hand up and down Myrt’s arm, slow and sweet. “You trusted us once, Marian. You can still trust us. You’re safe.”
“I know.” She turned sideways and took a step until she was next to the wall. He recognized Myrt’s move of trying to melt into the furniture, blend with the wall—escape.
“Help your sister.” He kissed the top of Myrt’s head. “Come back to me when you’re ready.”
A minute later, both women were through the connecting door, the one from that side closed but not locked. He tested the knob quietly, turning it so slowly the women wouldn’t notice. Next he went to the hall door, ensuring it was locked, and slipped the chain into place. Pausing in front of the bathroom, he returned to the connecting door, testing the knob again, only retreating to the bathroom when he was confident he wasn’t locked away from Myrt.
Stripped down to skin, he made the trip a final time, hand hovering over the knob before he settled his palm on the metal and twisted slowly. The vibration through his fingers told him what he needed to know.
The water was hot, already steaming up the small bathroom, when he stepped into the shower. Forearms against the wall, he leaned underneath the stream, letting the flow of heat sluice away the stress. He grabbed and unwrapped a bar of soap, scrubbing it across his face and chest. Working it between his hands, he flexed and rubbed until he had a fistful of suds. Dunking his head under the water, he scrubbed it through his hair, ensuring he washed away any remains of his efforts from the night’s activities.
Eyes closed, he ran his hands down his chest, turning to put his back to the deluge of hot water. The feel of Myrt in his hands was a memory he never wanted to lose, the soft giving touch of her skin against his. Bane stroked along his cock, root to tip and back again, fingers curling loosely in the kind of touch he liked best. Tipping his head back, he stretched his neck and tightened his abs, feeling that damned welcome tingle low in his belly. Keeping the slow pace on his dick, he reached low, cupping and gripping his balls, stretching his sack for that second welcome burn, the pain revving up the tension.
In his imagination, Myrt was moving through the room, slow and quiet, losing clothing as she came towards him. Her hand reached out, fingers trailing down his belly to his cock.
The wet slide of flesh against flesh filled the shower, the sound of his fingers bumping over the head loud with every satisfying touch.
Myrt’s hands landed on his hips, pulling him towards her mouth as she sank gracefully to her knees. She looked up at him from underneath her lashes, mouth in the damned tiny, quiet smile he loved so much.
One hand tugging his sack, the other a blur on his cock, he pushed himself to the edge.
Myrt nuzzled along his cock, burying her nose in the curls near the root, in no hurry to take him in her mouth. Her tongue flicked out, teasing across the slit, dipping in to get a taste she was sure to make a show with, curling her tongue and moaning softly. He sank his fingers into her hair, loose now, a curtain around her naked body as he thrust into her mouth.
Bane groaned and froze, muscles locking in place as he painted the wall with stripes of white.
Even in my mind, she’s the best I’ll ever have.
He’d tested the doorknob twice since getting