Trouble in paradise (official)

Chapter 55 "I'll always want you."😈🔥

The heat emanating from the tub was near that of a hot spring, warmed by the fireplace behind it. A heavenly scented mist filled the huge room to the tip of its high ceilings. Delicately decorated vases overflowed with bouquets of red roses and baby's breath, greenery and vines spilled over the edges nearly reaching the floor. Gold trim lined the walls and glittered around the picture frame and grand fixtures. A chandelier loomed just above the tub, flickering like stars in the glow of the hundreds of candles meticulously placed all along the walls. The elegant bathroom was sweltering, aside from the occasional cool breeze that found its way in through the window. Silhouettes of winged women tapped their toes on the surface of the water reflecting various hues of reds and oranges, twirling into the steamy mist that surrounded them.

Lani felt a firm but gentle hand sweeping a cotton cloth around her ruby spotted throat. The spot still felt raw but the warmth was soothing. She started to stir when she heard a voice, calling her name.

"Lani, Lani wake up."

"Mmmm," she groaned, turning her face away from the light stinging her eyes. She squeezed her eyes into tight little slits and pressed her chin into her shoulder. The piercing yellow light was too much for her.

"Lani, baby wake up." His voice sounded far away even though she could feel the air of his breath caressing her cheek. Then his lips. Kisses whispered down her face, tickling her forehead, until they eased their way to her cheeks. "Lani? Are you ok?" She felt her name blow over her skin between every brush of his lips. Like a gentle love spell trying to tear her from the tethers of her dreams.

"Lani." The sound was muffled and wonky. Like she was listening through a filter or an old phonograph. Maybe she was moving, or the room. She was so tired she couldn't tell. It felt like time had been distorted by an anchor, desperately trudging and tearing on in spite of the weight. She wanted to sink into the warmth of the water and fall deep into its embrace.

"Mmmm, lemme schleep....." She pushed the man's hand away and sank into the bath, just shy of dipping her head under the water. Mikey caught her just in time. He grabbed her by her shoulders and hefted her up against the wall of the small pool of a tub. "Lani." He shook her until she finally started to open her eyes. They crept open slowly, one and then the other. She scrunched her nose and grimaced at the wobbly figure trying to come into focus in front of her. A warm hand pressed against her cheek. It was so welcoming, she nuzzled into it and closed her eyes again.

"Lani!!"

"What blob?!"

"Blob?! Lani!!!" He didn't yell, but there was a hint of irritation and exasperation in his voice. He snatched his hand from her face and grabbed her arm again. He rocked her back and forth, playfully calling her name. She weaved her wrists between his arms and tried to push him away but he squeezed her tighter. He shook her one more time, switching her shoulders back and forth.

"Lani, open your eyes." His voice was no more than an authoritative purr. She smiled at the sweetness. "Mmmm. Say please." She jokes weakly. An obvious jest by the smile stretching the corner of her lips high into her cheeks, sweet as pink lemonade on a Sunday.

"Please?" He let out a growl of faint amusement and pressed his thumb onto her lips until he felt the outline of her teeth then separated her lips with his thumb. "I think I got something better than that."

"Yeah?" She wrapped her fingers around his wrist and lifted his thumb with her tongue.

"Yeah. Something you'll love."

He whispered it so softly, she barely heard it but her lips parted all the same. She could feel the heat of his breath ghosting over her nose. Her cheeks. Then her lips when he tugged his fingers away. She could practically smell his adoration the closer she got to his face. Even with her eyes closed she could tell the way he was looking at her. That same hungry look he gave her any time he'd been away from her too long. When their lips finally touched, her body vibrated. Like the frequency of her being was changing under his touch. She hummed to that rhythm, exploring the saccharine slush that pranced on their tongues.