He takes off his robe and hangs it on one of the wall hooks, then dons his pair of protective briefs. “Let’s see what all the hype’s about.”
I’m still putting on my pair when he reaches the step leading down into the bath, and River arches an eyebrow at me.
“I’m assuming I don’t want to just cannonball in here, huh?”
I can’t help it. I throw my head back and laugh. “That would be highly inadvisable.”
He smirks and gingerly steps into the hot mud with a delighted little shriek. “Oh my fucking gods, this is wild.”
I join him, my entire body quickly enveloped by the warm mud, which is as wonderful as I remember.
River waggles his eyebrows at me. “I bet they could have some truly epic mud wrestling shows in here.”
“Mud wrestling?”
He shrugs. “It’s a thing. Okay, a lot of the more publicized events are totally designed for straight dudes so they can watch half-naked women wrestle in mud. But as usual, the gays and theys know how to make it so much more awesome and inclusive. In fact, there’s the annual Queer Mud Wrestling tournament event in Minneapolis every summer. I’ve always wanted to go.”
My mouth actually drops open at that. “Just when I think I know everything about you, I discover something surprising.”
“Mwahaha! Like Austin Powers, I’m an international man of mystery. Yeah, baby, yeah!”
He’s grinning at me with the most ridiculously adorable expression on his face, and both my hearts flutter at the sight. No one has been able to infiltrate past my aloof exterior as much as River.
“Good thing I have plenty of time ahead to unravel all of your mysteries, my love,” I say.
River laughs. “Don’t worry, babe. I’ll always be able to keep you on your toes.” He cocks his head in thought. “Or on the tips of your tentacles?”
It’s my turn to laugh, and the warmth that spreads throughout my chest has nothing to do with the mud bath.
“It’s gooey, but not sticky,” River muses, running a hand over the surface of the bath.
Watching him enjoy this is half the fun, because River is always full of curiosity and wonder at each new experience in life. I know he’s going to instill that same inquisitiveness in our kids. No doubt he’ll be thefun dadwhile I’ll be the more serious one. However, witnessing my own parents in a similar dynamic my whole life, I know the two of us will bring the perfect balance as we raise our kids together.
Once we’re both submerged up to our necks, I lean back against the edge of the stone bath and sigh. It’s been many years since I experienced the pleasure of a gelatinous mud bath, and I can feel it working its magic as subtle tensions in my muscles and minor aches in my body fade away.
“Okay, I am officially sold on the gelatinous mud bath, although they could really work on changing the name to be a little bit more inviting. Then again, I suppose there is something to truth in advertising,” River adds. “But damn, I feel like I’ve shed about fifty pounds of stress.” He sweeps a hand through the mud, marveling at it. “It doesn’t seem to dry on the skin andget cakey like other mud or clay skin treatments I’ve seen before. Why not?”
“It’s a special extraterrestrial variety. Intergalactic space stations try to make profitable use of some of the best natural resources and innovative technologies available to them when they have guests visiting from all over the far reaches of the universe.”
“That’s just smart business,” River agrees. “I’m sure it costs a crazy amount to keep not just this resort but also the entire space station running.” He moves closer and leans into my side, the warm mud providing a slick barrier between us.
“I know I’ve said this already, but thank you. For doing this, for bringing me here, for helping fulfill a lifelong dream of mine. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my days. When we’re old and gray, you better believe I’ll still be reminiscing about this trip.”
I wrap an arm around him, and he wriggles closer.
“A honeymoon is something one wants to remember, right?”
River beams. “Abso-fucking-lutely!”
I clear my throat. “Ahem. Indeed. That’s why I’ve planned this amazing celebration of our union. I want it memorable and magical.”
He yanks me down for a filthy, sexy kiss that leaves me panting and aroused.
“This is only the beginning, babycakes. We’ll have our first anniversary next year, and one every year from here on out, and you better believe I’ve already got ideas for how we can make those epic as well.”
“I have no doubt, my love.”
He grins. “You’re not the only romantic. I’m gonna totally top you—pun intended—when I plan our first anniversary!”
