Waking Bel (Lords of Discord 3)

“River?” Bel’s soft voice rose about the pounding water and River couldn’t help a smile. His vampire could feel his grim mood and was trying to reach out to him even while he likely had his hands full of Wyatt.

“I’m fine,” River called back. “Let Wyatt wash you.”

“I want you in here,” Bel said stubbornly. He was already sounding like his clearheaded self, the last of the alpha drunkenness passing.

“If I get in there, one of us is going to end up hurt again.”

There was a low growl, but River honestly couldn’t say if it came from Bel or Wyatt. The shower stall was large enough to comfortably fit two men, but three would have made things cramped. Not that River minded cramped. He was more concerned with the fact that they were all exhausted and still mending. Aiden and the brothers would not be pleased if they were newly injured so quickly.

River’s eyes jumped up to the mirror, taking in his blood-smeared skin. The wounds were completely gone. There wasn’t a fucking scratch or gouge on him. Sure, his insides felt tender and bruised still, but he looked absolutely fine. The vampire blood was some amazing stuff.

Except for that part where he sort of blacked out and came to with everyone holding him down like he was expected to tear all their throats out. He didn’t know what happened, but those answers could wait.

The shower door opened to reveal a sexy, wet Bel with a tired but stubborn expression. His vampire needed to be fucked and put to bed. River was happy to help with that.

Grabbing a towel, River started to dry off his wet lover while Bel looked over his shoulder at Wyatt.

“Stay in the shower. I’m sending him in with you,” Bel said firmly. Wyatt flashed him a relieved smile and closed the door again.

“Bel?”

“He needs you,” the vampire murmured, giving him a light kiss.

“I need you both.”

Some of the stubbornness drained away, leaving only a tired grin. “And I’ll be waiting for you both in bed. You’ve been together longer, suffered together longer. He needs you right now.”

River’s heart picked up its pace. He’d been positive there was no way to love Bel more, but he had given him yet another reason. “You’re sure?”

“Yes. Just leave me a little something when you finally stumble out of the shower.”

A smile teased Bel’s lips, and he gave a little shake of his head. At least the sparkle was back in his blue eyes. “Don’t take too long or I will force my way into that shower.”

“I’m counting on it.”

River dropped the towel and watched as Bel strolled out of the bathroom. That man had a gorgeous ass.

But it had to wait for now. He needed to see to Wyatt first.

Stepping into the cloud of steam in the shower, he was immediately wrapped in a pair of strong, wet arms. They slid around him, pulling him in against Wyatt’s larger body, until he sighed.

“You scared the shit out of me,” Wyatt growled into his hair.

“I’m sorry. I never want to scare you.”

Wyatt’s arms tightened, threatening to crack ribs, but he submitted to it all. Wyatt would never hurt him. He was just gripped with fear and the ugly memory of how close River had come to death.

“I know, baby. I just…I can’t lose you. I won’t survive if I lose you.”

It was on the tip of his tongue to remind him that Wyatt was stronger than he was giving himself credit for, that they had Bel now, he could survive for Bel, but those weren’t the words Wyatt needed to shake off the last tendrils of terror.

As Wyatt’s arms loosened a little, River turned and threw his arms around Wyatt’s neck. “Wash me. Feel that I’m healed and strong again.”

With a nod, Wyatt scooped up the thick cake of soap that was already filling the air with a fresh, clean scent. Starting with his neck and shoulders, Wyatt slowly worked his way down his body, scrubbing away all traces of dirt, soot, and blood. The bastard also avoided touching his straining cock, but he could feel the need already bubbling inside of Wyatt. Not to mention the brush of his own hard dick.

When his body was clean, Wyatt picked up the shampoo and started working his fingers through River’s hair. A low moan escaped his parted lips, and any tension still thrumming through his body evaporated. Wyatt had amazing hands, strong and firm. He always knew just the right amount of pressure to apply to turn River into useless goo.

As Wyatt moved him under the spray to rinse out the suds, his dick brushed along River’s hip, and he couldn’t help a snort.

“What?” Wyatt asked.

“Richard,” River replied with a little giggle.

Wyatt chuckled. “I doubt his brothers are going to let him live that down.”