The ability to think didn’t return until Kit had Nick thoroughly cleaned, the piercings back in, and himself tucked against Nick’s side. Kit’s chest vibrated with a low purr.
“That was amazing,” Nick mumbled.
“I enjoyed it also,” Kit said shyly.
Nick twisted enough to get his forehead pressed against Kit’s. “I want to return the favour, but I can’t even open my eyes.”
Kit’s purr hitched. “I do not want… Perhaps it would be okay to try.”
“Oh.” Right. Kit had said before that he didn’t want Nick to touch his cock. “I won’t, it’s okay. Don’t worry about me trying to push anything.”
Kit shuffled. “No,” he said thoughtfully. “I would like to try with you.”
Nick, despite his tiredness, gauged that Kit seemed relaxed. He purred while he spoke. His body was glued to Nick’s, leg thrown over his, a bare hand splayed out on his chest.
“We can try it in a position where you’re on top,” Nick said. “Like…if I’m lying down, you can set your knees on either side of my head. That way you’re in control.”
Kit’s breath trembled. “I like how that sounds,” he admitted. “But not…not now. It can be on the list.”
Nick smiled tiredly in the dark. “Can I get a copy of this list?”
“No,” Kit said, so defensive and shy that Nick groaned.
“Good God, you’ve just sent my imagination in all sorts of wild directions.”
“You are the one who does all these crazy things—like the piercings—that is farwilderthan anything kits ever do!” Kit accused hotly.
Nick’s groan transformed into a laugh. “Yes, I got it. I’m the sexual deviant, not you.”
“Yes,” Kit agreed primly.
Chapter Thirty
Knuckles rapped against the door. Kit, who was draped across Nick as if he were a comfortable pillow, released a low, rasping growl from deep in his throat. Nick opened his eyes, squinting against the daylight pouring in through the window. Sleep clung to his limbs, unwilling to relinquish its hold just yet. He’d slept through the night. Again.
Through blurred vision, he saw the glare Kit fixed on the door.
“Seche?” Nick called hoarsely.
“I’ve waited as long as I can,” Seche called. “I can bring only the letter if you’ve changed your mind about coming today.”
Nick’s body urged him to shut his eyes and fall back asleep. His conscience reminded him that his family didn’t even know if he was alive, prompting him to sit up, sliding Kit off him with a reluctant sigh. The white sheet fell away from his torso, pooling on his lap. Kit’s growl stopped, but he gazed up at Nick from the bed with a distinct unhappiness in his eyes. Beneath the blankets, Kit’s tail trailed against Nick’s thigh. Higher, then higher again.
Nick caught the lean limb before it made contact with his cock. “I’ll be five minutes,” he called to the door.
“They won’t let me come,” Kit objected.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I need to try again, though.” Nick peeled himself away from a grumbling Kit and got out of bed, dressing quickly. Kit shadowed him all the way to the stables and, stone-faced, tacked up a horse for himself before Ios was tasked with dragging him away. Kit didn’t fight them; Nick thought he just needed to express his unhappiness with the situation.
The route they took curved towards the mountains in the distance. Nick was glad he had the reliable Julia again to lumber along with no input from him. Seche wore the same cloak of brilliant blue as before, his leathers gleaming and freshly polished.
“Do you not get hot dressed like that?” Nick asked.
“Of course, but one must dress for one’s role,” Seche answered. At Nick’s long look, Seche quirked an eyebrow. “I find that dressing as a man to be respected tends to encourage people to show that respect. It matters little to kits, but I have learned this in my dealings with men.”
“I suppose that makes sense.” So long as he was comfortable, Nick didn’t really care what he wore. But he did find Kit’s leather pants growing on him, and the finely embroidered shirts Kit wore suited him so well. “Are you ducking out on me again?”
“Not this time,” Seche replied. “Valor is away on business.”
