“Good evening,” Francis whispered into my ear, and the warmth of his voice enveloped me whole: a small flame growing inside of my heart.
I turned in his embrace until my cheek rested against his chest. He still wore the blouse that carried my dried tears. His hair now reached his chin, splattering on the silk pillow. “Good evening,” my voice turned hoarse as my lips tugged into a smile that felt peculiar on my face.
His hands tightened around me, ushering me closer. “Would you like for me to draw you a bath?”
“I much prefer your embrace.” I shook my head, breathing in the jasmine and cigars. The warmth erupted deep in my stomach as the long–forgotten flowers freed their thorns.
“Who says you can’t have both?” His voice filled with a sudden mischief; his eyes shimmered in anticipation. “If you want, of course,” he then added.
My eyes met his as a genuine smile stretched my lips. “Yes, that sounds lovely.”
“Wait here.” He winked, depriving me of the embrace, though the flame he planted in my chest merely grew bigger.
Hot steam filled the bathing chambers along with the fresh smell of lavender and jasmine. The petals floated in the water in a beautiful rainbow; candles lit up the room, our shadows uniting.
“Would you like for me to leave?” Francis crooked his head to one side, his eyes searching mine.
“Someone promised me a nice embrace along with my bath...” The moment the words left my troublesome mouth, my heart flustered: my tongue had a mind of its own.
“I wanted to be certain you didn’t change your mind.” Francis’ fingers reached for the top button of his shirt.
“I didn’t.” My mouth went dry as the flowers low in my stomach bloomed.
I swallowed the nervousness before my fingers pulled on the strings, untying my dress. My heart skipped a beat; I took off the top layer of my clothing until nothing but my undergarments were left.
A moment of hesitation stole my breath before I freed myself of the rest of my clothing.
The startling confidence overwhelmed me. I could only hope for regret to never come.
Bare, I stood before the bathtub, every inch of my flesh covered in bumps. I couldn’t bear glancing at Francis at that moment... even if my life depended on it.
My breathing heaved when I made my way into the water. The hot bath prickled my skin, enveloping me in its embrace as I sat in the center of it.
The petals brushed over my skin, covering my bare body from view. I took a slow breath in before my hands reached for the hairpin that held my waves hostage—safe from unwantedtouch. I swallowed, letting my strands fall into the water, allowing such vulnerability.
My fingers brushed over the petals, grateful for the distraction.
“May I join you?” His sultry voice echoed through the bathing chamber, setting my flesh aflame greater than fire ever could.
I nodded, for if I spoke, my voice would give away the weakness. I dared not look up from the petals in my hands, studying them as though they were my most precious possession.
The water swerved as he sat behind me, my throat ached when our knees touched.
My hands visibly shook as a silent fight with the monsters from my past broke into my mind. Francis didn’t move, waiting for me to make up my mind.
Before the panic forced its way onto myself I swallowed the growing fear, embracing the moment I longed for.
Princess knows bravery.If I weren’t so anxious, I would have laughed at my own foolishness.
Stop it, Cordelia.I shook my head as my eyes closed.You are such a fool.I sighed, closing the distance between us.
His hands wrapped around my waist in an instant as I rested my back against his bare chest, shielding me from my own wicked mind. My chest rose above the water, exposing my bare body, yet the shame I was expecting to break through stayed silent. The fear that threatened to destroy me retreated. My mind calmed.
The warmth caressed me; the centers of my breasts hardened, yet I could not find it in me to care for such exposure.
His hands, softer than velvet, caressed my lower stomach, unraveling the flowers that coiled around my insides, as a welcoming silence fell upon us.
