Chapter Eighteen
Azio lookedat the spoon he’d caught, then tilted his head, studying me as he stalked closer.
“Are you in pain?” he asked.
“I’m in fear, Azio. Why would you go back there? Were they waiting for you? Did you get hurt again?”
A small smile tugged at his lips.
“No, my Terri. I was not hurt. We have the things you collected and much more from the surrounding homes. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“Well, you did.” I crossed my arms, and his gaze dipped to my transparent shirt.
“Your nipples are darker.” He looked at Groth. “She’s in pain. Did you offer to massage them?”
“Of course he didn’t,” I said quickly, jerking my gaze from my nipples, which looked exactly the same to me.
Azio turned his frown on me.
“He should have.”
Confusion replaced anger. “Uh…what?”
“He should have,” Azio repeated.
“I heard you. I’m just having trouble understanding what you mean. You wanted Groth to touch my boobs while you were gone?”
“If it helps ease your pain, yes.”
I laughed like a thirteen-year-old boy watching porn with his friends. The guy I was interested in—who was also very interested in me—wanted another guy to feel me up just because it helped me.
“I’m sorry, Terri,” Groth said, looking extremely upset. “I didn’t notice.”
My gaze bounced between the two fey’s expressions, and I realized how entirely serious they were about seeing to my comfort. It deflated my annoyance and killed the slightly flippant way I’d been handling their concern.
As crazy as it sounded, after a day with Groth, I truly did feel more comfortable with him. Even in the transparent shirt. Comfortable enough that I could deal with the boob rubs they were talking about.
“You know what? It’s not your fault, Groth. I could have asked. I was too shy and worried about the rules, though. I’m starting to understand now.” I looked at Azio. “I know you just got home, but would you mind helping me out for a bit instead? You’re right. My cramps are back, and my boobs are hurting and add the worry I felt for you all day…well, it made me really moody. I’m sorry I threw the spoon at you.”
Azio gave Groth an annoyed look, like his BFF had let him down by not caring for his woman while he was gone, and knelt beside the couch. He leaned in and brushed my forehead with a kiss.
“I’m sorry I worried you,” he said. “Tell me if the pressure is right.”
Then he set his big, hot hands on my chest and started massaging. I hadn’t realized how much my boobs had hurt until then. Azio paid more attention to me than I paid myself.
Sighing, I closed my eyes and let him ease the ache and melt away some of the tension from the day. I didn’t even care that Groth was watching and probably taking mental notes.
“Is everyone okay?” I asked, not opening my eyes. “I should have asked that first.”
“No one was seriously injured. There were a few bites, but we expect that when dealing with large numbers.”
I made a face, and he paused.
“The rubbing is good,” I said quickly. “The reminder of the danger you were in is not so good.”
He chuckled and continued to rub my chest.
“When the ache is gone, you need another shower,” he said.