THE SHOWER

Nalini Singh

This small scene comes from early on in Lucas and Sascha’s relationship, perhaps a couple of months after Slave to Sensation.

“Lucas!” Sascha skidded to a halt at the edge of the aerie’s balcony and looked down to where her mate was working out, his body slick with sweat.

He glanced up. “You need me, kitten?”

Always, she thought, she always needed him. “There’s something wrong with the shower.” She held the towel more firmly between her breasts. “The water’s down to a trickle.”

He grinned, looking very much the panther he was. “Are you naked?”

“No.” Technically correct. “This towel is very big.”

He stayed in place, hands on his hips, a look in his eyes she didn’t trust. “Say I fix the shower, what do I get in return?”

She bit her lower lip. Playing with Lucas was fast becoming second-nature, but the cat had a head start on her when it came to these kinds of games. “A home-cooked meal.”

He shuddered. “No thanks. Your idea of a home-cooked meal is chocolate cake with hot chocolate, and then chocolate fudge for desert.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“It’s not man food.”

She smiled, looked him up and down. “My man.”

“Nu-huh.” He shook his head, hair brushing his shoulders. “I’m not falling for that. Come on, deal. Make it interesting.”

“I’ll brush you until your fur is all shiny.”

He scowled. “My fur is shiny enough thank you. I think you’re wanting to stay dirty.”

“Hmm.” She leaned on her railing. “If you come fix the shower, I’ll let you share it with me.”

He grinned but shook his head again.

“Okay, fine.” She sighed as if giving in. “I’ll recite the list of sexual positions I memorized as part of a mental training exercise.”

That list had been one of her small rebellions in the PsyNet, a tiny way to gratify the needs she couldn’t acknowledge.

“You’ll recite it while I’m soaping your delicious body.” Claws slashing out, he began to scale the tree to the aerie.

“That might interfere with my concentration.”

He landed on his feet in front of her, an alpha panther with sensual play in his eyes. “Come on now, recite. You know how that turns me on.”

“You haven’t fixed the shower yet.” Her eyes narrowed as she caught the glint of cat smugness on his mind. “Did you break it on purpose?”

“Why would I do that?” All innocence.

Her mouth fell open. “You’re…shameless!”

“No, I just know how to negotiate.” Reaching forward, he began to tug at her towel.

She gripped it tight, pushed him back with a burst of Tk. “Cheater.”

Grunting from the impact of the telekinesis, he simply tugged harder. “Sore loser.”

She released the towel without warning. He froze in place. Swiveling on her heel, she walked into the aerie…and shut the door in his face. “Now who’s the loser?”

Dropping the towel, he gave her a dark male look. “I am not pleased.”

She knew very well he was mimicking what she sometimes said to him. “And I don’t care.” Turning, well aware he had a perfect view of her retreating backside, she waggled her fingers and walked into the bedroom and then into the shower cubicle. Now that she knew he’d sabotaged it, she had it fixed in short order...just in time to spray Lucas with the detachable head as he walked in.