CHAPTER 7
The room was softlyilluminated by candles and the fire burning in the fireplace. The food was already laid out on the small table where they had their meals. But what really captured his attention and made the blood pound in his veins and his cock stand at attention was the sight of Kalli taking a bath by the fireplace.
She hadn’t bothered with the privacy screen and was simply lying in the tub in plain sight of him, sipping some wine and relaxing as if there were nothing amiss. His cold and discomfort vanished as a wave of heat rolled through him. He could see the rounded tops of her breasts as they emerged from the soapy water and a rosebud nipple peeked at him amid the foam that covered her.
Suddenly furious, he asked. “What on earth are you doing?”
Her reply was airy and innocent. “I would have thought that was obvious. I’m taking a bath.”
“Why aren’t you doing that behind the screen?”
“It was too cold over there.” As if just now noticing his bedraggled state, she gasped and stood. “What happened to you?!”
Seeing her nude body in full frontal display had the impact of a rocket blast on his already primed and explosive state. Taking a step back, he put out a hand to stop her.
“I’m fine. Just had the idiotic idea of rescuing a puppy that had fallen into the river. I only need to get out of these cold and wet clothes and into a hot bath.”
Unperturbed, Kalli calmly stepped out of the tub, grabbed a towel that was resting by the fire, and came to him. “Here, have this towel. It is warm from being by the fire.” Stepping behind him, she started wrestling to remove his sodden jacket.
“Cover yourself, please. I’m fine,” he growled. Thrusting the towel back into her hands, he stepped away and finished removing his jacket, necktie, waistcoat, and shirt by himself.
She simply raised her eyebrows, the very image of surprised innocence, but at least she complied and wrapped herself in the towel.
“Sorry. I didn’t think it was a problem. We have seen each other naked before. In similar circumstances, in fact. And you looked like you needed help. I didn’t think...”
“Yes, I get it. You didn’t ‘think.’ You don’t seem to be doing a lot of that lately.”
“That’s uncalled for. And untrue. Just because you don’t agree with my ideas doesn’t mean they are not valid.”
“I’m sorry, Kalli. I’m just grumpy because I’m wet and cold. Don’t mind me.”
“Apology accepted. You can get into the bathtub. The water is still hot.”
“The innkeeper said he would send a bath.”
“That could take half an hour or more. Don’t be stubborn. You need to warm up fast. Your teeth are chattering, and your lips are turning blue.”
With chagrin, he realized she was right. But he couldn’t remove his pants in front of her. The sturdy fabric of his undergarments was the only thing keeping his erection in check.
“Fine. I’ll get in the tub if you go behind the screen and put on some clothes.”
With a slightly mocking and mischievous smile, she disappeared behind the screen. The minx. She knew exactly the effect her nakedness was having on him and was laughing at his predicament. No matter. With some privacy finally achieved, he removed the rest of his garments and sank into the tub with a sigh of relief.
The blissfully hot water felt heavenly. The cold had permeated the marrow of his bones, but finally his frozen body was thawing from the outside in. Now, if he could only get a glass of cognac, everything would be perfect. He dunked his head to rinse the river water from his hair, and when he emerged, a perfectly warmed goblet of the fiery liquid appeared in front of him.
