CHAPTER 173: STARTLED

When his palm cupped the lush swell of her ass beneath the surface, she gasped into his mouth—not from fear, but from a startled need that made her arch closer, her hips pressing instinctively toward his touch.

Lor took his time, savoring her in the water’s embrace: slow, firm squeezes, his thumbs gliding along the tender line where her thighs began, his fingers mapping the slickness that wasn’t just from the bath but from her growing arousal.

"Turn around," he murmured, his voice thick with desire, rough at the edges. "Sit back against me."

Nellie nodded, her movements careful but eager, turning in the tub until her back fit snugly against his chest, her hips settling between his thighs.

Her damp hair, freed from its braids, clung to her shoulders, leaving her nape bare and vulnerable.

Lor gathered her hair over one shoulder and pressed a slow, lingering kiss to the exposed skin, the warmth of his lips drawing a soft sigh from her.

She sank into him, her palms sliding over his knees under the water, fingers gripping lightly as if anchoring herself to the moment.

His hands roamed from her waist to her ribs, then up to cup her breasts, the water making every touch feel like silk against silk.

He kneaded gently at first, his thumbs circling her nipples until they tightened into firm peaks beneath his palms.

The heat of her back pressed against his chest, her thick thighs nestled against his, made each squeeze feel indecently intimate, the slick glide of her skin amplifying every sensation.

Her breath hitched, her head tipping back slightly, and Lor felt the faint tremor of her body against his.

"Tell me if something’s too much," he said, his voice low, a quiet promise against her ear.

She nodded, quick and earnest, her glasses slipping slightly down her nose. "I will."

His fingers found her nipples again, rolling them with a gentle pinch, then soothing them with a slow stroke, increasing the pressure each time.

Nellie’s head fell back fully onto his shoulder, her breath quickening, her lips parting with soft, needy sounds.

He turned his head, catching her mouth in a sideways kiss, his tongue teasing hers while his hands taught her body a new rhythm.

When he broke the kiss, she chased his lips, then let out a small, embarrassed laugh, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"Don’t hide," he murmured, a smile in his voice, his lips brushing her temple. "I want to see you."

Her cheeks flushed deeper, but she lifted her face, her gray eyes meeting his with a shy, trusting glow.

He slid one hand down her stomach, slow and sensual, giving her time to breathe through the anticipation.

His fingers slipped between her legs beneath the water, the first stroke along her slick folds drawing a sharp jolt from her body.

He paused, letting the tremor pass, then tried again, softer, the pad of his finger spreading her warmth, finding the sensitive bud at the top.

Her legs parted wider without prompting, her hips shifting toward his touch, a silent plea.

He kissed the hinge of her jaw, his lips warm against her skin, and drew slow circles around her clit, then longer, languid strokes that made her whimper.

His fingers drifted lower, teasing her entrance, feeling the heat and tightness there.

"Lor..." she breathed, her voice frail with need, trembling against his throat. "Please—"

He pressed the tip of one finger inside, feeling her grip him, hot and insistent despite the water’s warmth.

He added a second, careful not to push too far, just enough to fill her, his thumb circling her clit in time.

The sound she made—helpless, beautiful—vibrated against his neck, her hips rocking instinctively against his hand.

He kept his movements gentle, coaxing her pleasure rather than demanding it, feeding the slow climb of her arousal.

"Good," he murmured, his lips brushing her ear, "just like that..."

She clenched around his fingers, her thighs trembling against his, her breath coming in quick, uneven gasps.

He felt her spiraling, her body tightening, and eased his hand away, ignoring her soft gasp of protest.

He turned her in the tub, guiding her to face him, her chest heaving, her gray eyes blown wide with need, her glasses fogging faintly from the steam.

"Sit up," he said, his voice a low command, thick with want. "On the edge."

She blinked, then nodded, her movements slow but eager.

He stood with her, helping her to the broad marble lip of the tub, water streaming off her body, beading over her freckles and sliding between her breasts.

She settled on the warm stone, leaning back on her palms, her thighs parting in a trusting, inviting V.

Steam rose around her like a gossamer veil, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders, her nipples taut in the cooler air.

"Keep looking at me," he said, kneeling in the bath, his eyes locked on hers.

She did, her gray eyes wide and unguarded, shimmering with desire.

Lor leaned forward, his hands resting on her thighs, spreading them gently wider.

The sight of her—open, glistening, her freckled skin flushed with need—made his cock throb painfully.

He kissed her knee, his lips warm against the water-cooled skin, then trailed higher, tasting the tender inside of her thigh.

Her breath hitched, a soft sound that made his cock twitch. He kissed again, slower, his breath fanning heat over her sensitive skin before his tongue traced a slow, wet path upward.

Her eyes fluttered shut at the first lick, and he paused, waiting until they opened again, wide and hazy.

The second lick was wetter, flatter, a deliberate upstroke that ended with a careful flick against her clit. She choked on a sound, biting her lip, her thighs trembling faintly.

"Hold yourself open for me," he murmured, his voice a low growl, thick with want.

Her blush deepened, but she obeyed, her fingers shyly spreading her folds, baring herself completely—pink, glistening, perfect.

The sight sent a jolt through him, his arousal straining against the water’s warmth.