City of Blood (Godstone Saga 6)

Gods, he loved when his man got bossy.

For the longest time, only Caelan could issue him orders, and even then, his prince often retreated when Rayne countered with his very best glare. But it didn’t matter how he glared at Eno, his lover was stubborn and would not relent. It probably said some very questionable things about himself that he liked to be bullied and bossed about by Eno, but he didn’t care. Everything Eno did was for Rayne’s own good and protection. How could he not love that?

Smiling a little broader, Rayne placed his hand into Eno’s and allowed his lover to haul him to his feet. He wasn’t particularly proud of the long, loud groan that tumbled from his lips or the popping that issued from his knees. He was supposed to be just thirty-one. Why the fuck did he feel like he was over a hundred?

When Eno had him on his feet, he brushed a sweet kiss along his bearded jaw while draping Rayne’s arm across his broad shoulders. With his left arm wrapped around Rayne’s waist, he half carried him out of the clinic and down the street to the lovely building they’d been given for their stay.

It was an adorable two-room home. Each day, someone stopped by with a platter of food for their breakfast and fresh flowers. They never requested such treatment, but Rayne had to admit that he appreciated it greatly as he hobbled to their quarters each night. He felt drained to the very marrow of his bones. Healing so many people was sapping all his energy, leaving him with nothing left.

As Eno closed the door behind them, Rayne’s eyes snagged on the large wooden tub that had been placed in the center of the room. Steam rose from the hot water, and Rayne swore nothing had ever looked so good in all his life.

Turning toward Eno, Rayne wrapped him up, burying his face in the man’s neck. “I love you so much.” It was only then that he noticed his boyfriend smelled of soap. He’d freshened up before he fetched Rayne.

Eno chuckled and hugged him tightly. “I thought you could use a hot bath to relax in before going to sleep tonight.”

Rayne huffed lightly. “It’s a good thing it’s too small to stretch out in, or I’d be in danger of falling asleep in there and drowning.”

“No worries. I’m going to wash you. No drowning on my watch.”

Rayne jerked away to meet his gaze and Eno just smiled at him. The king’s bodyguard tugged at Rayne’s shirt and pulled it up over his head, looking as if there was nothing he could possibly want more in the world than to play maid to Rayne.

With his hand resting on Eno for support, Rayne stepped out of his pants. Eno snagged his glasses and put them aside for safety while Rayne carefully climbed into the tub. A hiss slipped between his clenched teeth as the scalding water stung his flesh, but he pushed forward. That hot water would cool all too fast, and he wanted to enjoy the soothing heat for as long as possible.

While the tub was a nice size, it didn’t fit his long frame too well. Sitting with his shoulders against one side, the water coming up to just below his nipples, he had to keep his legs bent. A soft floral scent rose from the water, and he smiled.

“Tip your head back,” Eno instructed. Rayne looked up to find Eno standing behind him, his shirt gone and a bucket of water was in one hand. “I’m going to wash your hair.”

He nearly argued that he could easily wash his own hair, but he swallowed the words and did as Eno asked. He had a feeling this was for both of them, and he needed to learn to let go.

Warm water poured down across his scalp, soaking his greasy hair, before falling into another bucket for wastewater outside the tub. Seconds later, strong fingers rubbed soap into his hair, massaging his scalp. A low moan of pleasure rumbled up his throat, and Rayne could feel large groups of muscles unwinding at Eno’s touch. He couldn’t remember the last time anything had felt this good.

Unless it was the last time Eno had washed him…

“What’s that dirty smile for?” Eno inquired warmly.

“Mmm…I was thinking about the last time you washed me,” Rayne replied. He was so relaxed his words almost sounded slurred.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve done this?”

Rayne couldn’t tell if Eno was teasing or if he honestly couldn’t remember. “Not quite like this, but similar. We were in Shallow Edge. That night we raided the base stolen by the Empire.” Rayne cracked an eye open to look up at Eno. “Someone couldn’t wait for his turn in the shower.”

A low, rumbling growl that didn’t sound all that happy left Eno and he bent, stealing a rough but brief upside-down kiss. “You scared the shit out of me that night.” Fingers tightened in his soapy hair nearly to the point of pain. “I thought you’d died, and then you were hiding your damn injuries from me. Never again, Rayne. Never again.”