“How so?”
Ture picked Maris’s hand up and turned it to show the raw egg white on his skin. “Germs, baby. They’re a more silent killer than the League’s finest assassins.” He pulled Maris over to the sink so that he could wash it off.
To his surprise, Ture didn’t move away. Rather he washed Maris’s hands for him and toyed with the webbing that elongated from the prolonged water contact.
Maris held his breath at the sensation of Ture’s fingers sliding in between his and over his skin and webbing that was always much more sensitive in his aquatic form. It raised chills all over him. And he noticed the change in Ture’s breathing, too.
He turned the water off then slid his hand down Maris’s chest, opening his robe so that he could skim his hand over Maris’s skin. Sucking his breath in sharply, Maris leaned back in Ture’s arms and cupped his head in his hand. He could feel how hard Ture was against his buttocks. “Remind me to always leave egg on my hand when I’m in your kitchen.”
Ture laughed in his ear as he sank his hand down to gently stroke him while he pulled the robe from Maris’s shoulders and dropped it to the floor. Reaching around to his back, Maris tugged Ture’s pants down until he could return the favor. Ture tongued his ear, making him even hotter before Ture accepted the invitation and slid himself inside.
Maris growled in pleasure while Ture thrust against him and stroked his cock.
Ture’s hot breath fell against his neck as he nibbled and toyed with his skin. Maris sucked his breath in sharply. “I love how you feel.”
“You, too, baby.” Ture laved his neck as he stroked him even faster.
“Oh shit. I thought you’d be alone.”
They both froze at the sound of a masculine voice in the doorway. Tall, blond, and extremely handsome, the man appeared to be in his mid-twenties.
Ture stepped back immediately and jerked his pants up, then moved around to block the man’s view of Maris who quickly grabbed the robe from the floor and put it on while he tried to calm his breathing.
“What the hell are you doing here, Bristol? You were supposed to meet me at the restaurant. Later.”
“I couldn’t wait to see you.” His blue eyes went to Maris. They narrowed dangerously with a hatred that struck Maris like a physical blow. “I had no idea I’d be interrupting you with another man.”
Ture growled low in his throat. “I’ll be right back.” He grabbed Bristol by the arm and hauled him out of the room.
Maris could hear them arguing in a low tone, which made him all the more curious about Bristol. Who was he?
Most importantly, what was he to Ture?
Had Ture lied to him about having another lover?
As Maris headed to the bedroom to shower, Bristol came out of Ture’s office and arched a brow at him. He raked a penetrating grimace over Maris’s body. “You look really familiar. Do you work at Ture’s restaurant?”
“No.”
“Bristol!” Ture barked. “Leave him alone and go. Now!”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.” Bristol turned back to Maris. “I hope he treats you better than he’s treated me.” With those parting vicious words, he left.
Ture came out of the office and froze as he caught the expression on Maris’s face. He looked like he’d been kicked in the groin. But worse than his ghostly pallor was the hurt in his dark eyes.
Damn you, Bristol, you asshole!
When he reached to touch Maris, Maris stepped back.
“Mari, he’s my brother,” he said quickly. “I swear. He only comes around when he wants money from me.”
Maris expelled an elongated breath as those words finally took the sting out of his hurt emotions. “Really?”
Ture nodded. “I have pictures of the little punk from our childhood, as well as family photos. I’ll be more than happy to show them to you. He only said that to hurt you and lash out at me. He’s a rank bastard like that. Here, I’ll prove it.” He started back for his office.
Maris caught his arm to stop him. “You don’t have to get pictures. I believe you.”
Ture reversed course and pulled Maris in for a hug. “I’m so sorry. I wouldn’t have you hurt for anything and I might be a lot of things, but I don’t cheat on others. Ever.”
Maris squeezed him tight then stepped back. “If he’s such an ass, why do you keep giving him money?”
“Because I’m stupid. My sister died when we were kids and as much as Bristol annoys me, I can’t stand the thought of something happening to him. Besides, he’s the only member of my family who still talks to me.”
Maris kissed his head. “I’m sorry, baby.”
Ture placed his head on Maris’s shoulder. “Loyalty sucks.”
“Only when it’s given to the wrong person.”
Ture wrapped his arms around him. “You know what my fear is, Mari?”
“No, sweetie.”
“That you’ll discover my Darling soon, and leave me like everyone else has.”