He assumed her plans would involve fewer layers of clothing. He doesn’t usually bathe with his leather trousers on.
When Cerian surfaces and opens his eyes, Arisanna’s climbing into the tub with her shimmeron gown still in place.
If that’s what she wants, he won’t complain. As the water soothes his fire magic, relief at the loss of that burden fills him. This is better than the chair, even if they’re far more clothed than people normally are in bathtubs.
She slides over him, and he reaches out to steady her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I should have warned you.”
“I said yes. And I will never complain about being in water with you.”
“With your clothes on?” She smiles tentatively at him, and he presses his forehead to hers.
“Either way.”
“I may have forgotten this isn’t the heartlanding,” she whispers. “And we can’t just wish our clothes away.”
He stares at her before laughing.
“Andnow our clothes are wet,” she adds. “It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I’m second-guessing myself.”
“No more thinking,” he whispers. “Just be here with me now.”
“But we didn’t bring anything else to wear, did we? I didn’t pack anything.”
Clearly, she’s not done thinking.
“Are you planning to go somewhere?” he asks.
She opens her mouth before closing it again and shaking her head. “Not tonight.”
“Then I don’t see the problem.” He nuzzles her ear and trails kisses along her neck. “Just be mine. Don’t think. Just feel.”
“What if someone needs us?”
“I need you.”
“But—”
He leans his head back and looks into her eyes. “Elowyn’s trunk is in her room. I imagine it’s full of your clothes if you need something else. I’ll be fine.”
Arisanna presses her lips together as the most adorable wrinkle appears on the bridge of her nose. “I’m overthinking this, aren’t I?”
“You took off my shirt and boots and shoved me into a bathtub full of water before climbing in on top of me. Perhaps we could return to that?”
“I can’t believe I did that. My mother would—”
“No. We are not going to discuss your mother while I’m half dressed in a bathtub with you.”
A little huff of a laugh escapes her. “Sorry. I think I’m stuck in my head again.”
“Then follow my lead the way you did last night and stop talking. Stop thinking. Just be mine.” He trails more kisses along her jaw. Her neck. Nibbles at her earlobe for reasons he can’t explain. But one of those enchanting little gasps flits from her lips, and a smile steals across his face.
“I’ll be done talking now,” she whispers.
“Good.”
They lie in the tub together, kissing and touching and only occasionally talking until long after the water grows cold and he has to use his fire magic to warm it again.
