"Yes. Love."
She looked up at me, her expression soft and wondering, and I felt my chest tighten again.
Don't mess this up. Don't scare her. Just... just be gentle.
I spread one of the deerskins on the ground near the water's edge, gesturing for her to sit, and wrapped the second around her shoulders before the cold could seep in. Then I knelt beside her, suddenly uncertain what to do with my hands.
I want to touch her. I want to pull her close and never let go. But what if she needs space? What if—
"The water's warm?" she asked, breaking into my spiralling thoughts.
"Yes. Very warm. Good for..." I gestured vaguely at my shoulders, my back, trying to convey the way the heat sank into tired muscles and eased old pains.
“Oh, a hot bath,” she murmured, her eyes widening.
“Bath?”
She smiled at me. “My word for…” she gestured at the spring and I nodded.
“Do you need help? With your clothing?”
She glanced down at her outfit, blushing a little. “Yes, think I do. But…”
“But what?” Was she nervous. She didn’t want to be naked in front of me, but I wasn’t sure why. Maybe I was pushing her.
She looked up and smiled. “Not want take off… too beautiful.”
Relief spread through me, and pride too. Jalar made beautiful clothing and Ess was known for her beadwork at the summer gatherings. They often made outfits for trade, and I was glad I had gone to them the previous evening to beg for a trade. Ellie looked beautiful in the cream hide, but I had already seen her tunic open, and I knew she was even more beautiful underneath. I didn’t want to push her though, so I laughed instead, and began unlacing my own clothing instead.
I focused on removing my foot coverings and stepping out of my legwear without stumbling and making myself look stupid, but I was aware of Ellie’s eyes on me the whole time. The cold air bit at my skin, raising gooseflesh along my arms and chest, but I ignored it and walked into the water.
The heat was immediate and overwhelming, almost too much after the chill, but I waded in until I was waist-deep and then turned back to face her.
She was watching me.
Her eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed, and there was something in her gaze that made heat coil low in my belly. Not just curiosity.Interest. Want.
She's looking at me the way I look at her.
The realization sent a jolt through me so powerful I had to fight to keep my breathing steady.
I extended my hand, trying to project calm I didn't feel. "Water is warm," I said, my voice rougher than I intended. "Safe. I... I won't touch unless you say."
It was a promise. A vow.
She stood slowly, her movements hesitant, and began to unlace her tunic.
Don't stare. Don't make her uncomfortable. Look away.
I couldn't.
I watched as she peeled away her tunic, leggings, and undergarments, until she stood pale and perfect in the sunlight, and every coherent thought fled my mind.
She hesitated at the water's edge, her arms crossed over her chest like she was trying to hide, and I saw the vulnerability in her posture as she stepped into the water. I moved forward immediately, taking her hand before she could lose her balance, and guided her deeper. She gasped as the heat wrapped around her, her fingers tightening on mine, and I steadied her with a hand at her waist.
"Good?" I asked.
She nodded, her breathing shallow, and I felt the tension in her body slowly ease as she adjusted to the temperature. The water rose around her waist, and she exhaled slowly, her shoulders dropping, the tight defensive curl of her arms loosening as the heat did its work. I stood close enough to steady her if she needed it, far enough to give her room to breathe.
