He cups the back of my neck and kisses my forehead. “That’s normal. It’ll fade as we renovate and replace the bad memories with happier ones.”
He crouches, and the bathtub snatches my attention.
The dimly lit room is illuminated by a small LED flashlight in a cup beside the faucet, most likely from his gear. Steam fogs thewindow overlooking the ocean, and the jetted tub overflows with bubbles.
“You don’t have candles,” he points out, untying my shoes.
“The smell is overpowering.” I perch on the edge of the tile and reach down to stop him. “I can do that.”
He shoos me away. “I know,” he answers both my statements, loosening my laces and pulling off my sneakers with one hand.
When he goes to remove my socks, I retract my foot. “I’m sweaty.”
Ignoring me, he hooks the tops of my socks with his finger and swiftly removes them. He lifts my feet to inspect the cuts on my soles, scowls, and stands. “Get in,” he demands, all gruff and annoyed.
He turns to go, and I let out a pouty whine. How dare he set this up and leave?
“So dramatic, princess. I won’t be long.” He’s out the door without a glance back.
There’s a higher chance of it snowing on the beach in Santa Monica than Reece getting in this bath with me, but, hey, a girl can dream. He might sit in here with me though.
I slip out of my clothes and peek in the mirror, but the glass is fogged. I throw my hair in a messy bun, hoping I’m not a total wreck, then lower myself into the steamy water. My tense muscles ease, and I release a heavy sigh.
Moments later, Reece returns, carrying a stack of books. My stomach sinks. He’s going to hand me a book and walk out, avoiding my naked body like the plague. Weeks ago, I would’ve stood and enticed him with my figure, but I doubt six months pregnant is all that alluring.
He drops the books on the tile and twirls his finger. “Turn around and close your eyes.”
I stare up at him with furrowed brows.
He cocks his head. “You want me to join you? The bath isn’t your only surprise.”
I spin so fast, the water sloshes.
***
Reece
I lay a towel beside Aurora’s books for her to dry her hands before reading then take off my sling, shirt, shorts, and boxers. My hard cock bobs between my legs, anticipation racing through my heated veins. I step over the side of the tub, sink into the water opposite her, and rest my forearm on the tiled edge.
My arm isn’t immobile, but movement is painful, and I’m supposed to keep it in a sling for four weeks. The longest four weeks of my life. Then, there’s physical therapy, which I’m capable of doing myself.
She releases an audible exhale. “Can I turn around now?”
“You have zero patience.” I rake my fingers through my hair and remember I still need it cut. It’s shaggy on top and falling into my eyes. “Go ahead.”
The tub is massive—clearly, Jax was planning on the three of them bathing together—and she easily twists to face me.
Her gaze traces the contours of my upper body, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Can I sit with you?”
She’ll ask a million questions when she sees me up close.What’s this tattoo? What does it mean? What’s this scar? How did that happen?And I’m not in the mood to explain every injury and memory I obtained in the military.
There’s one question I know she won’t be able to contain, but I try anyway.“Yes—as long as you don’t ask any more questions.”
She raises a brow. “Can I kiss you?”
“That’s a question.”
She mimics zipping her lips and throwing away the key.
