The confession hangs between us, neither of us ready to put a more specific name to what we're feeling. Instead, I press my lips to hers in a gentle kiss, pouring everything I feel in that simple kiss. She responds in kind, her hands cradling my face, her body melting against mine.
When we finally separate, she's smiling, a real smile that reaches her eyes, not the guarded one I've grown used to seeing at the café. This Sadie, naked and soft in my arms, trusting me with her body and her vulnerability, is a revelation.
"Want a bath?" I ask, tucking her against my side. "That tub is big enough for both of us."
She nods, stretching like a contented cat. "That sounds amazing."
I press one more kiss to her temple before sliding out of bed. "Stay here. I'll get it ready."
The bathroom is as luxurious as the rest of the suite, marble floors, gleaming fixtures, and a soaking tub big enough for two. I turn on the taps, adjusting the temperature until it's perfect, then add some of the hotel's bath salts. The scent of lavender fills the steamy air as the tub fills.
When I return to the bedroom, Sadie is sitting up, the sheet pulled to her chest, looking out at the city lights. She looks small and vulnerable, but also completely at ease, a side of her I've rarely seen.
"Bath's ready," I tell her, offering my hand. "Come on."
She takes it without hesitation, letting the sheet fall away as she stands. I lead her to the bathroom, watching as her eyes widen at the sight of the steaming tub.
"It's beautiful," she says, stepping closer to the edge.
I help her in first, steadying her as she sinks into the fragrant water with a sigh of pleasure. Then I join her, settling behind her so she can lean back against my chest. The hot water envelops us, easing the pleasant ache in my muscles.
For a while, we just soak in comfortable silence. I trail my fingers lazily up and down her arms, pressing occasional kisses to her shoulder, her neck, behind her ear. She melts against me, her head resting on my shoulder, eyes closed in contentment.
"This is perfect," she murmurs, her voice languid with relaxation. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." I nuzzle her neck, breathing in her scent mixed with lavender. "You deserve to be taken care of."
She makes a small sound, not quite agreement, not quite disagreement. I've noticed she struggles to accept care, to believe she's worthy of it. It makes me want to shower her with it until she can't deny it anymore.
My hand slides from her arm to her stomach, tracing slow circles on her wet skin. She shifts slightly, pressing back against me. Encouraged, I let my hand drift lower, beneath the water's surface.
"Is this okay?" I ask, my lips at her ear.
"Yes," she breathes, her thighs parting slightly in invitation.
I trace my fingers through her folds, finding her still swollen and sensitive from before. She gasps when I circle her clit, her body tensing against mine.
"You're still so responsive," I murmur, applying gentle pressure. "Still throbbing for me."
She turns her head, seeking my mouth with hers. I kiss her deeply as my fingers continue their slow exploration, sliding inside her, then back to her clit, establishing a rhythm that has her breathing quickening against my lips.
"Your pussy is still so hot," I tell her, my voice rough with renewed desire. "Still hungry for more."
"Yes," she admits, rocking against my hand. "I want more. Want you."
The admission, freely given without prompting, sends heat surging through me. My cock hardens against her lower back, and she shifts deliberately against it.
"I'll give you as much as you can handle," I promise, nipping at her earlobe. "All night if you want."
She smiles, a wicked curve of lips that I feel against my jaw. Then she's turns in my arms, water sloshing over the edge of the tub as she centers my cock at her opening and slides back down onto me.
“Make me come again, please,” she whimpers in my ear.
Chapter 21
Sadie
The sheets are tangled around my waist when I wake up, morning light streaming through the hotel's massive windows. I blink, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar luxury surrounding me. Then I feel Axel's arm tightening around my waist, pulling me back against his chest, and everything comes rushing back.
