Tamina

Pushing against him, his arms lock around me in retaliation. "I'm sorry, Tamina, I shouldn't have said that—"

"Well, you did. At least I know you think low of me. . . look, if you let me go, I'll keep this visit between us. I don't think you really have any business being here, do you?"

A squeal comes from me when gravity releases its hold on me, and I'm pulled close to Lucius' chest. The covers remain draped over me so his skin doesn't make any contact with mine, and his eyes fixate ahead of us, but his thumb does soothingly stroke my arm through the fabric along the way to the bathroom.

"Tamina, I am sorry for what I said. I may be many things, but a liar isn't one of them. You're worth so much more than that, why do you think it infuriates me?"

My head rests against his chest, and my eyes widen at the strong thuds it gives, and how it skips a beat and doesn't calm down straight away. I'm not sure what to make of it, but at least I'm able to say I'm not the only one feeling odd now.

Nudging the bathroom door open with his back, he takes his time in sitting me down on the toilet seat before turning his attention on filling the tub. Pink bubbly liquid is poured in, a few granules, and then he rolls his shirt sleeves up to the elbow before swirling the mix together. When he flicks them to release a majority of the moisture, my eyes trace over each movement, unable to help but notice how. . . masculine they are.

"You deserve to be worshipped," he pipes up, staring down at the tub so I'm watching his back. "Laid down on the bed, softly explored inch by inch before being bestowed pleasure. After that, you should be taken slowly, intimately. Once you're accustomed to the feel of a man, and only then, you will be steadily introduced into comfortable positions." He sighs, shaking his head before grumbling. "If you were mine, that's what I would've done."

When Lucius does turn around, he clears his throat. My cheeks are on fire, and my hand covers my mouth while the other locks the sheet against my frame.

If I were his. . .

"Lucius. . ."

Abruptly crossing the space to me, he helps me over to the tub before stopping once more. "You said I didn't have a purpose," he begins, "but you're wrong. I told you I was going to finish our conversation at the event, and now I'm making sure you're taken care of since lover boy isn't here."

His eyes close, and I'm about to ask what he's doing when his fingers unravel the fabric shielding my body. My limbs kick into gear to fight him, but Lucius is stronger than I am, and he's quick in pinning my arms at my sides while his eyes remain shut all through out.

"Easy, sweetheart, I'm not going to look. My intentions will remain pure, and the only time I'm going to look is when you ask me to. Now, guide my hands on a comfortable spot for you so I can help you in the bath."

Sinking my teeth into my lower lip, I'm gazing around for anything that can help me make up my mind in what the right thing to do is, but he's not looking at me. Sucking in a deep breath, my hands sit over his and carefully situate them around my waist so he's avoiding my hips, and he makes a small sound before carefully lifting me over the ledge and laying me down.

The water pulls a comforting moan from me, the heat instantly working to soothe all of my aching muscles, and my head rolls back in joy. It smells nice, like cinnamon and flowers, and the small granules are making my skin tingle in a funny manner, but it's relaxing.

"Better?" Lucius asks, sitting down on the floor with his back to me.

"Much, thank you. . ." Fidgeting with the scrubber, I ask, "Would you like me to make you a fresh one after?"

His shoulders visibly tense, and I can't help but notice they're broad, but not as broad as Brandon, and he fills his shirt in a more comfortable manner than having it entirely fitting. His hair is as messy as ever, and I'm stuck on finding what makes the two men different, and it's nearly everything so far other than their wealth.

"Thanks, but I showered early this morning."

"Couldn't you sleep?" I blurt, and a small curse comes from me. "Sorry, that's personal."

"Not at all," he starts. "And I guess you could say that, business as usual," he mumbles, and I'm wondering if that was even the reason, but I don't press it.

Thinking on my next words, I say, "I think baths and showers are a good way to relieve your worries, like t washes them away and offers you sleep in return if that makes any sense." When Lucius remains silent, I laugh. "I'm just blabbering, you may have a totally different view or none at all, either's fine—"

"No, you're right. I've just never heard anyone say it before."

A small smile plays on my lips as I take the time to scrub off the stickiness of last night and try to form it in a positive light. He enjoyed it, and it could've been worse. Next time should be more sensual now that we've got it out of our system, and I'll surprise him.

After washing and rinsing my hair and clearing off the suds from my skin, my hand settles on his shoulder, and I'm surprised when his lays on top. And for an even shocking note, I don't pull away.

"Are you ready to get out?"

Making an agreeable noise in the back of my throat, Lucius rises swiftly and rummages in the cupboard under the sink and produces a fluffy cream towel that he drapes over his shoulder upon walking over to me. As he bends, my hands seek his and guide them anxiously into the water to the same place as the last and hold in the squeal as he elevates me with ease from the water.

"Dry yourself off and get dressed. After that, I'm taking you to get some food, and then you're going home," he divulges calmly.

My eyes widen, but I don't stop the process of towelling off. "T-that's alright, you've done enough. Brandon's driver is going to—"

"If you don't want to upset me, just do as I say this time round. Right now, I'd say he's lost the right to offer you any service."

My lips jam shut for the remainder of our time in the bathroom, and like a surprising gentleman, Lucius picks me up and cradles me to his chest once I'm fully clothed, and heads for the bedroom, only to pick up my cardigan and shoes before reaching for the exit.

"H-hey, wait a minute, I need to leave a note!" I exclaim, and his eyes find mine.

"What for?"

My cheeks tingle. "For ruining their sheets. . ."

A deep sigh falls from his lips. "Sweetheart, there's no need to leave a note. They won't mind, trust me."

Silently bobbing my head, I watch as he heads down the stairs without so much as faltering, and I'm in awe. If I tried to do something like that, I'd fall on my face.

"L-Lucius, would it be OK if I walk?"

"Why?" he questions.

Fiddling with my cardigan, my brain fumbles for the right string of words. "Well. . . it's slightly embarrassing, that, and I came here with another man only last night."

Judging by the way his jaw ticks, he knows exactly what I mean, but it doesn't stop him from saying, "Who cares what they think? And there's nothing wrong with a man carrying a woman, and one he's helping in a time of need." He stops on the corner, and gently lowers me to my feet for me to slip my shoes on. "But this one time I'll do as you request."

I'm thankful for that, and I'm hoping he can see it by the smile I'm offering to him. The walk through the lobby feels awkward as my body tries to loosen up, but everything feels discomfortingly stiff. Twice Lucius has shuffled closer to me, and I'm more than grateful he doesn't do anything because I'm not sure if my self-esteem could handle it.

Once we're outside, he presses his key to unlock a white Audi, and it amazes me because with all the money he makes, he hasn't brought anything like Brandon, but hasn't gone for an older car either. An Audi TT is the perfect choice, and I don't think my choice would've been far off either.

He sure is full of surprises.

"Is there anything you're allergic to? Anything you don't like eating?" he pipes up, sticking the key into the ignition.

"Um, no, I'm pretty easy going." Swivelling in my seat, enjoying the feel of the tanned leather and the sweet candy scent floating around, I sigh out, "Let me buy for us, or at least myself; it's the most I can do for all you've done for me today."

"A gentleman doesn't expect payment, and in this case, I'm going to do so." He smirks and peels out of his parking space in time for another snazzy car to pull up, leaving me to stare out of the window in wonder.

How many rich people come here?

Lucius clears his throat, and shifts gear suddenly, and it catches my attention, and upon so, he decides to act on it. "What I want for you to do, is sleep. After last night's ordeal, you must be tired. I'll wake you when you're home." His eyes find mine, and I'm more concerned he won't pay attention to the road if I remain defiant, so my head hesitantly bob.

"O-OK, but no funny business," I warn.

He laughs, and I'm sure this sounds real compared to the others. . . apart from that one time I'm unsure of. It's light but loud and booming all at the same time, and it's somewhat comforting to hear too.

"You wound me, tiger. Now, hush and get some rest." Lucius switches on the radio and a soft harmony plays through the speakers, and I'm surprised yet again by how fast sleep works its way in.

"You honestly don't mind?" I whisper, adjusting myself to find the best comfort the seat has to offer.

"Yes, now rest. Just don't expect me to sing any lullabies, that's one thing I can't do."

A funny smile sets on my lips. "I'd have it no other way."

Before turning to snuggles into the leather, the faint smile on his lips don't go unnoticed. Making sure to tuck my shoes away on the floor, I curl up the best I can in the seat and focus on the soft melody playing in the background and bask in the warmth before welcoming the blanket of sleep that's eager to pull me under for the time it can have me.