BATH-E

Ace woke up at 8.00 am when his alarm blared loudly. He snaps it shut with his hand and groaned in annoyance. He opened his eyes slightly and notice long strands of hair blocking his vision. He smirked, the memory of last night flooding his brain in a rush.

He carefully removed himself from her. Her legs were tangled with his and her shirt had hiked up towards her stomach, revealing her chain and her healing bruises. Ace touched her welts and turned her body tenderly, to examine her back. She was healing exactly right.

Ace kissed her forehead and placed a pillow as his replacement. He took a shower leisurely, not knowing Astrid had woken up. Astrid's mind was still groggy from the events last night. Fuck, I am thirsty, she turned her head around and drank 2 glasses of water, quenching her throat.

She gingerly walked towards the washroom and held her head, it was spinning. Just how much did I drink last night, she mentally scolded her careless self. I need a hot ass shower, she thought. When she opened the shower cubicle, she got the shock of her life. Ace was stark naked lathering his body with soap and stopped to stare at her with a smug grin on his lips. Gosh, I did not even hear the sound of the shower.

He had the body of a devil, and her eyes drank in the view in front of her hungrily. All her initial inhibitions flew out of her mind when she saw the perfect human specimen in front of her. His pectoral muscles with his tattoos on his left and right beckoned her to touch his soapy chest. Her fingers traced the indents and trailed further to his six rectus abdominus muscles before her eyes lowered to his sexy V line only to see his well-endowed member covered in suds.

Her eyes widen in surprise at her bold action and her face inflamed in horror. She realized she barged into him, in the middle of his bath! Before she can step out, he held her wrists tightly and yanked her to his chest.

`I didn't know you missed me so early in the morning', he closed the glass cubicle and boxed her.

`Ace, I..I..my…my head was spinning. I....I…did not realize', she stammered.

`Hush, you have sinned. A grave mistake, mi diosa'', his voice dripped with sexiness and he slowly pressed his body with hers.

`Wh..What…?', she could not make coherent words with his movements until she felt the cool glass on her back. Her shirt was getting wet and she could feel her body arching to meet his.

`You are getting brazen, my love. Seeing me naked like this. I could have stripped for you yesterday. You only have to ask. So, tell me, why did you come to me like this? You wanted to shower with me?', he gently nipped at her neck and gave her open-mouthed kiss along her jawline.

Astrid had to take a deep breath and clear her mind. `My head was spinning, and I did not realize until too late I guess', she muttered. She tried to hide her embarrassment, but her cheeks just turned red.

`I am sorry, I did not mean to interrupt. I mean not like this. I thought the washroom was empty', she did not want to come across as the promiscuous girl. Her fucking head needs a good hit, she thought.

Ace ended his kisses. `Astrid, you drank an entire bottle of Nectar Imperial Rose Moët & Chandon. Like tequila shots. Baby, you were so alluring, I had a hard time containing myself. And now, you are all flushed, in my bathroom and tempting me to do more than what I wish',

Astrid's eyes widen before she apologized for a sorry. `Please', she whimpered.

Ace did not want to let her go before getting her a taste of her own medicine. `Please, what?', he kissed her along her neck now, his hips grinding slowly against her pelvis, her wrists held firm by him.

Astrid's stomach was doing flip flops within her, his body so close, she could not help her gaze to drop to his tattoos, staring at the artwork of fishes and phoenix. Ace gently bit her between her jaw and neck; right below her ear, earning a low moan from her. He knew her sweet spot so well.

He continued to kiss her neck, and Astrid hesitated to give him access. But when Ace grazed his teeth at her collarbone and lick her skin, she succumbs to him and craned her neck further. She was lost, his soft lips doing wonders on her skin.

Ace breathed near her clavicle and teased `Shall I stop?',

`Please', she responded quickly.

`Please what?', he spoke huskily and grinded his hips against her boxers again, knowing full well he was turned on and she could feel it. Her eyes rolled back, and he let go of her wrists. How can he turn me on with just kisses? She immediately gripped his wet hair and yanked his head closer to kiss her, but he denied her.

Instead, he focused on her chest and his free hands went under her shirt, feeling her body. Not satisfied with their current position he gripped her thighs, pulling her up and she wrapped her legs around his hips, earning a grunt from him.

She was flush against him. `Look at me', he demanded. Astrid had a hard time focusing. She licked her lips and slowly opened her eyes to stare at him. Her eyes had darkened with lust and his gaze was no better. His eyes could have devoured her alive.

`Please, kiss me', her voice barely audible to his ears.

Ace smirked and maintained eye contact before moving his sinful mouth towards her chest. He released hot breath on her chests, perking her nipples tout. He kissed her breast and his left hand touched her other breast. He sighs at her size, perfect fit for his hand. Ace did not remove his shirt on her, it was wet enough and stuck to her skin.

His lips kissed her breasts, giving both undivided attentions. Ace gave her hickeys all over her chest, knowing full well she won't like it. He wanted to rip the shirt apart but decided against it. He wanted to go slow with her. Ace realized his member twitching for more action and he slowly eased his mouth away from her.

Ace took deep breaths and steadied himself, directing his mind to think about his office work. `I think we should stop, yeah?', he leaned his forehead on hers and spoke in a raspy voice.

`Yeah', she replied meekly. Ace steadied her on the floor and without warning kissed her hard. She was too shocked at first, but she duly responded with equal vigour. He pulled back before his lust spiral out of hand.

`There is Advil on my side table. Take a tablet and drink some water. Don't wash your hair today.' Ace composed himself and opened his glass cubicle door and guided her out. Astrid ran out and did as she was told. She took her bag and went to the guest room a door away. She made sure to lock the door before double-checking the washroom.

On the other hands, Ace called Enlil as soon as he finished his shower. His anger returned in waves when the image of Astrid appeared in his mind.

Ace: Hey, Enlil?

Enlil: Hey what's up, my man.

Ace: What did you do to her?

Enlil: What are you talking about?

Ace: Explain the welts and bruises on her body.

Enlil: We sparred underwater. The same place we went last time.

Ace: But why, can't you go soft on her?

Enlil: Ace, by all means, if she were to face Enki, she needs more than bruises to fight against him.

Ace: I thought we were more than enough to bring him down.

Enlil: We are but if they get to her first, she should be able to hold her ground.

Ace: That is if we give them a chance!

Enlil: Ace, be practical. I just taught her basic skills. I've yet to teach her more in details about wind and earth elements. I know what I'm doing and I would never hurt her.

Ace: You'd better.

Enlil: (clears his throat uncomfortably). Err, Ace.

Ace: Yeah?

Enlil: Were you guys in some sort of danger yesterday? Or did she have a dream or something?

Ace: No. She is perfectly fine. Was with me.

Enlil: (coughed loudly).

Ace: Why are you being nosy?

Enlil: Well, her bell did sound once but it was just a faint one. So, I wondered.

Ace: (smirks smugly). Maybe she could not contain herself.

Enlil: (getting angry). What are you implying?

Ace: I'd let you imagine that answer yourself. And he ended the call abruptly.