Greymoor Academy: I Accidentally Bonded With Four Lycan Royals! novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154: 154. A Very Steamy Bath II

Maisie

There was a heaviness in his eyes. "There are days we fear we did the wrong thing, making that decision for you. Stealing that from you." His thumb creased over my pulse. "People are complicated, May. Different layers. Like onion bulbs."

A small laugh bubbled out of me. "You’re calling the infamous Exile Queen an onion bulb?"

His kissable lips twitched. "Maybe."

That heaviness returned and he continued, "You peel one layer, thinking you’ve reached the heart of them, only to find another. Some layers are dry and brittle. The scars, the mistakes, the ugly parts they hide from the world. Some layers have rot in them, but within, there may be something worth saving. Others are tender, almost sweet, the parts they protect the most fiercely. You cry when you cut into them. Not because they’re cruel... but because the truth stings. Because it’s real."

He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair from my damp cheek. "Margaret Hunt may be the most complicated bulb of all. But you do not have to peel everything tonight. You don’t have to decide if she’s worth knowing, or forgiving, or hating. You have your entire life ahead of you to pull back those layers, one at a time, at your own pace. Some bulbs are worth the tears. Some aren’t. The beauty is... you get to choose when, and how deeply, you dig."

My eyes stung with tears and my lips quivered.

He cupped my cheek, his thumb wiping the tear under my eye with surprising gentleness. "You’re so fucking cute when you get like this. Red as tomatoes."

I shoved him hard.

Mercer fell back with a startled yelp, water exploding around us as his massive frame crashed into the tub. I laughed breathlessly and tried to scramble back, but his hand shot out and caught my wrist. With one powerful tug, he yanked me down.

I landed with a splash, coughing soapy water, eyes stinging. "Prick!" I yelled, half choking, half laughing as I shoved at his chest.

He grinned up at me, water streaming down his face, dark hair plastered to his forehead. That rare, boyish smile made something dangerous flutter low in my belly.

And the mood shifted when I realized I was straddling him, knees on either side of his hips, my hands braced on his broad chest as he sat half-draped against the curved edge of the tub, water lapping at his waist.

My laughter sputtered and died.

Steam curled around us and he looked devastatingly handsome like this. Huge. Powerful. Water glistening on every carved muscle.

His green eyes had gone darker, fixed on me with a hunger that made my breath hitch.

I was completely naked. So was he.

And I was sitting close to his very hard, very thick cock.

The realization hit us both at the same time.

I froze.

Mercer’s hands settled on my hips, fingers flexing like he was fighting the urge to pull me closer. His voice came out rough, strained. "You should go to bed. It’s been a long night."

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