Chapter 171: Bath And Beyond

Cyrus set Kane on the bathroom counter and moved to the oversized tub, turning the ornate handles. Water began filling the marble basin with a steady rush.

"Bath first," Cyrus announced, testing the temperature with his palm. "Then we’ll see about getting properly clean."

Kane watched steam rise from the filling tub, already anticipating the luxury of soaking in hot water. But instead of waiting, Cyrus turned toward the separate shower enclosure.

"Actually, shower first," Cyrus corrected, reaching for Kane again. "We should rinse off before the bath."

Kane found himself being guided into the glass shower, Cyrus’s hands gentle but insistent as he positioned them both under the rainfall head.

Hot water cascaded over their skin, washing away the evidence of their passionate encounter.

Kane sighed contentedly as the heat eased his sore muscles.

Cyrus reached for an expensive bottle of body wash, squeezing the amber liquid onto his palms.

"Turn around," he instructed softly.

Kane obeyed, feeling Cyrus’s hands begin working the soap across his shoulders and down his back.

The dragon’s touch was methodical and thorough, cleansing away every trace of sweat and grime.

"Your turn," Kane said when Cyrus finished, taking the bottle from his hands.

Kane worked the soap between his palms, then pressed them against Cyrus’s broad back.

His fingers traced the defined muscles, marveling at the solid strength beneath smooth skin.

"Mmm," Kane hummed appreciatively, his hands sliding around to map Cyrus’s abs. "Dragon genetics are completely unfair."

Cyrus chuckled as Kane’s exploration grew more lingering, fingertips tracing each ridge of muscle with obvious admiration.

"Focus," Cyrus murmured, though he made no move to stop Kane’s wandering hands.

Kane grinned, continuing his thorough ’cleaning’ of Cyrus’s arms and chest.

"I am focused."

"There’s more to my body than just my arms and chest," Cyrus pointed out, his voice dropping to a lower register.

Kane’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he feigned surprise.

"Oh, how careless of me—"

His soapy hands slid deliberately lower, wrapping around Cyrus’s already stirring length with teasing slowness.

Cyrus’s breath hitched as Kane’s fingers began a torturous exploration, mapping every inch with the same attention he’d given the rest of his body.

"Kane," Cyrus warned, his voice strained.

Kane’s grip tightened slightly, his thumb circling the sensitive tip with deliberate precision.

"Just being thorough," he said innocently, though his wicked grin betrayed his intentions.

That was all Cyrus could take.

In one swift movement, he spun Kane around and pressed him against the cool shower wall, caging him with both arms.

"Don’t tease me too much," Cyrus growled against Kane’s ear, his body pressing flush against Kane’s back.

"Unless you want me to take you again right here."

Kane shivered at the promise in Cyrus’s voice, heat pooling low in his belly despite his exhaustion.

Without another word, Cyrus reached past Kane to shut off the shower, then swept him up into his arms again.

Steam rose from the filled bathtub as Cyrus stepped over the marble edge, settling them both into the hot water.

The tub was massive, easily accommodating both their frames with room to spare.

Kane melted against Cyrus’s chest with a contented sigh, the heated water soothing his aching muscles.

"Much better," he murmured.

Cyrus’s arms encircled Kane’s waist, pulling him back against the solid warmth of his chest.

"No more teasing," Cyrus murmured into Kane’s damp hair.

Kane smiled, settling deeper into the embrace.

"I make no promises."

Cyrus’s hands began a slow exploration of Kane’s wet skin, fingers tracing across his arms and chest.

"My turn to be thorough," Cyrus murmured against Kane’s ear, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down Kane’s spine.

Kane tried to twist in the confines of Cyrus’s embrace, but the dragon’s arms held him securely in place.

"Cyrus," Kane breathed, half-protest, half-plea, as those skilled fingers mapped every ridge of muscle across his chest.

Cyrus’s touch was maddeningly slow, thumbs brushing over Kane’s nipples until they peaked under the attention.

Kane’s breathing grew uneven as Cyrus’s hands drifted lower, tracing the defined lines of his abdomen with torturous precision.

"Not so fun when you’re on the receiving end, is it?" Cyrus’s lips curved against Kane’s neck, pressing a kiss to the sensitive spot just below his ear.

Kane’s back arched involuntarily as Cyrus’s hand finally wrapped around his hardening length beneath the water.

The dragon’s grip was firm but gentle, fingers moving with a slowness that made Kane’s breath catch.

"Cyrus, please," Kane gasped, his head falling back against Cyrus’s shoulder.

Instead of responding to the plea, Kane reached up desperately, his fingers threading through Cyrus’s damp hair to pull him down.

Their lips met in a heated kiss, Kane’s mouth opening eagerly beneath Cyrus’s.

The dragon’s hand never stopped its slow torment, drawing soft sounds from Kane’s throat that were swallowed by their increasingly desperate kisses.

The steam and heat cocooned them inside the marble tub as Kane whimpered, utterly at Cyrus’s mercy.

Cyrus’s other hand gripped Kane’s hip, steadying him as he positioned himself beneath the fox spirit in the heated water.

"Hold onto the edge," Cyrus instructed softly, his voice rough with desire.

Kane’s fingers scrambled for a grip on the marble rim as he felt Cyrus nudge against him from below.

The dragon entered him slowly, carefully, mindful of Kane’s still-tender state from their earlier passion.

Kane’s breath hitched as Cyrus filled him completely, the new angle sending sparks of sensation through his already sensitized body.

"Move with me," Cyrus murmured against Kane’s shoulder, beginning a slow, rolling rhythm that had Kane gasping.

Water lapped against the sides of the tub as Cyrus moved beneath him, each careful thrust paired with the continued stroke of his hand.

Kane’s grip on the marble edge tightened as pleasure built steadily, his body caught between the dual sensations.

"I can’t—" Kane’s words dissolved into a broken moan as Cyrus hit that perfect spot inside him.

Cyrus’s lips found the curve of Kane’s neck, pressing heated kisses to the damp skin as his movements grew more urgent.

"Let go," Cyrus whispered, his breath hot against Kane’s ear. "I have you."