A low rumbling chuckle vibrates from his body into mine, warming me like nothing else has.
“Now I know you must have hit your head,” he grumbles, turning to face me. “Now, let’s get you out of that dress.”
I shouldn’t be turned on right now, but the dark promise in his voice makes my core tighten despite the shivers I can’t seem to stop. “Well, if you insist,” I joke again, dropping the towel and letting him untie my kaftan’s knot because I’m sure I couldn’t undo it myself right about now.
Goosebumps ripple across my flesh as he guides the thin fabric over my shoulders, and my nipples pucker beneath my swimsuit at the involuntary reaction I have to Leo’s touch. If he notices, he doesn’t say anything as he wraps an arm around my waist as soon as the beach covering falls to the floor.
Then he gently steers me into the small shower, stepping in behind me, though I’m confident it was only intended to fit one person. The water stings against my frigid flesh as he guides me beneath the shower head, and I gasp, cringing back against his chest at the sudden shock.
Leo frowns, his arm tightening around me. “Too hot?” he asks, reaching forward to check the temperature.
“N–No, it’s good,” I say as my body quickly acclimates and I step into the searing heat. It might hurt my skin, but I need the warmth so desperately, I can’t wait.
Shutting the door behind us, Leo traps the warm air in the shower with us, and a deep, aching relief settles into my muscles as the ice cold slowly melts away. My skin tingles as I come back to life, soaking up the warmth of the water, steam, and Leo’s solid chest and arms. Letting my eyes sink closed, I lean into him, my head dropping back against his sternum.
“Better?” he asks softly, keeping me on my feet as he holds me.
“So much better,” I moan gratefully as my shivers finally start to subside.
After several minutes, Leo turns me so my back is to the water, and despite the warmth of his chest, the difference in temperature still makes me gasp. Palms flat against Leo’s muscular pecs, I look up at him with fresh eyes. His smile is soft, his gaze warm and filled with a tenderness I’ve never seen before. It takes my breath away and releases butterflies in my stomach.
Glancing down at my hand, Leo takes it in his, checking my fingertips before he fiddles with the wedding ring that feelsstrangely loose on my finger. The touch is entirely innocuous, and yet somehow, it feels so sensual, it lights my skin on fire.
“That looks better,” he says softly, returning my hand to his chest.
“What does?” I ask, a giddy tremor racing up my spine.
“You were turning blue on me for a minute there,Cattiva,” he says and presses his lips to my forehead.
Nothing about Leo’s attention is sexual, and yet everything about it makes me want him more, want him closer. I’ve never been so desperate to stay in his arms, and I rest my ear against his chest to listen to his heart beat, slow and steady and strong.
My eyes slide closed again as a heavy exhaustion starts to seep deep into my bones.
“You warm enough now, Princess?” Leo murmurs, rousing me from my trance-like state.
“Mmm-hmm,” I murmur.
Leo’s arms jostle me lightly, one keeping me trapped against his chest as he reaches behind me to turn off the water. Then he opens the shower door, letting in a slight chill. But before I can start to shiver, he’s wrapping something dry and warm around my shoulders, guiding my hands into thick sleeves.
I look down in mild surprise at the plush white terry cloth robe that he cinches around my waist, then he steps out to grab a towel. He wraps it deftly around his hips before reaching back into the shower to take my hand, and just like before, he guides me out of the bathroom and walks me toward the bed.
Frowning, I glance toward the door. “Shouldn’t we go back out?” I ask, hating myself for suggesting it. But today is supposed to be about solidifying the peace between our families, and right now, I think we’re far from achieving it.
“No, you’re going to lie down,” Leo insists, scooping me up and depositing me gently on the bed before I can argue. “In case you’re unaware, you nearly died on me, Princess. I think you’ve earned a rest.”
When he puts it that bluntly, my heart starts to pound again, my breaths quickening, and I nod as a violent shudder ripples through me. “Will you stay with me?” I ask, my voice sounding alarmingly small and childlike.
“Of course,” he promises, settling onto the bed beside me and wrapping his arm around my shoulders as I snuggle against his side.
The warmth of the shower and the heavy fabric of my robe feel cozy, Leo’s arm is strong and reassuring, and the exhaustion settles over me like a thick blanket once more. I close my eyes, and within seconds, I feel myself slipping into the darkness.
My lungs burn as I struggle for breath, the suffocating sense of drowning sending my mind into panic as I suck water into my mouth without thinking. Terror grips me as I feel my baby suffering inside me, its tiny life being snuffed out. Horrible, racking sobs only quicken my fate, but I can’t seem to stop them, because the thought of losing my baby is unbearable torture.
I can see the light above me, the sun beaming through the surface of the water, but the harder I try to reach for it, the faster I sink. All around me is cold, wet darkness, a watery grave eager to swallow me whole.
“No!” I scream, thrashing violently, and I jolt upright, my heart pounding as I wake abruptly from my nightmare.
“Easy, Sora. You’re safe.” Strong arms wrap around me, pulling me firmly against a gloriously solid chest, and Leo’s soothing voice eases my panic. “I’ve got you,” he says—just like he did after he pulled me out of the water. “I’ve got you.”
