I soaped up his big hand and carefully washed every finger before moving up to his forearm. Xae watched me with a fascinated expression, following the movement of my hands, then shifting his stare back to my face. I finished his arm, set it in the water, rinsed it, then went to the other side, and washed his left arm.
“Brace your foot on the rim,” I said.
Still watching me in bemused wonder, Xae lifted his left leg and set his foot on the rim of the tub. I washed his foot, giving his toes the same attention as I had his fingers. And yes, even the man's toes were gorgeous. Then I moved up his calf, massaging his hard muscles as I went, then moved down his thigh.
“All right, you can put it down,” I said.
Xae lowered his leg back into the water, and I quickly ran a hand over him to rinse the soap. Then my hand wandered higher. His eyes widened when I plunged the sponge beneath the water with my other hand and washed his cock. He hardened, and I couldn't help massaging him with the sponge, squeezing it around his shaft until he moaned and dropped his head back on the rim. I went lower, cleaning his balls, and Xae's legs spread as wide as the tub would allow. So, I went lower still.
With a gasp, Xae lifted his head and met my hot stare. “You really want me clean.”
“If I'm going to bathe you, I want to do it right. Don't tell me you don't wash here.” I dropped the sponge to rub his asshole with my finger.
Xaedren shuddered, then groaned. “Of course, I do.”
“Then I should too.” I made sure he was squeaky clean, then retrieved the sponge.
I added more soap and worked my way up his tight belly and over the hard curves of his chest, taking my time with his nipples. Finally, I pushed his hair to one side, moved behind him, and soaped his back and shoulders. Then I tossed the sponge into the water.
Xaedren glanced back at me. “Are you finished?”
I stared into that brilliant gaze for a second, then said, “No, I'm just beginning.”
A shy smile came to his lips as he turned forward,
I massaged his shoulders.
“Oh, fuck,” Xaedren moaned and hunched forward so I could reach more of his back. “Goddess, that feels incredible.”
“You've never had a massage?”
“No.”
“Well, pay attention because I'm going to want you to return the favor someday.”
Xae caught my wrist and pulled me closer. Nuzzling my cheek, he said, “All my days are yours now, Ember. My nights too.”
There went my heart. It surged out of my chest and into his hands, never to return.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Uh, are you sure we should start up here?” I asked as I stared warily over the low wall that circled the citadel's lookout tower.
A couple of Wraith Lords were on duty, sitting on stone ledges opposite each other. They chuckled, then went back to their watch.
Master Bri'tar did not laugh. “You must feel Air's power before you wield it. Now, Ember—”
“I don't think they should be here.” I interrupted him and pointed at the Lords on duty. “What if I blast them off the tower?”
“Then I will save them.”
“Both of them? At the same time?” I lifted my brows. “What if I blow them really far?”
“You gonna blow us, Ember?” Lord Jackel wagged his brows at me.
“You wish,” I said.
Master Bri'tar grimaced. “Are you afraid of heights, Ember?”
