Rising, he took hold of both her hands and helped her into the full tub.As she sat, all the blood he’d put on her washed away, turning the warm water a slight pink.Adalyn sank into the steam and waited for his answer.
“None,” he replied.
She blinked.“What?None?”
“Remember when I said I had been visiting the Crimson Den for years?I’d been searching for the right woman.”
It was hard for her to wrap her head around what he just revealed.“What about, you know, needs?”
“You mean sex?I never said I didn’t partake of female pleasure.”He picked up a loofah and added body wash to it.“I did come close to having one, but I discovered she only wanted my wealth and status, so I withdrew my petition.”
“What a foolish woman,” she said, completely blown away by his revelation.How could a woman be so callous?
He ran the loofa over her collarbone.“You have no idea just how rare you are.”
“I’m just a girl.”
“To me, you are so much more thanjustanything,” he said.“Let’s get you clean so you can relax with some hot food in your belly.”
With a nod of consent, he proceeded to wash every bit of her body, and if she wasn’t so sore and bone-tired, she would’ve been aroused by his attentiveness.Instead, she closed her eyes and let him carry her for a while.
After the bath, he had soup and buttered bread brought up and watched as she ate.Then he brushed her hair and helped her under the covers.He slid in next to her and enfolded her against him so she rested her head on his chest.Now, the weight of the day restricted her lungs and tears slowly trickled down her cheeks.
“Thank you for rescuing me,” she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head.“Get some sleep.Tomorrow is going to be a busy day.”
Chapter Ten
When Adalyn openedher eyes, she had a blissful moment of a blank mind, and then with the next breath it all came flooding back.She had no regrets about her sister.The woman was evil, and the world was better off without her poison.One more gang had been eliminated.How much hurt and maliciousness had they caused innocent people like herself?She made a vow right then and there that she would never think about them again.They would never take up residence in her mind ever again.
The door opened and the maid from the other day poked her head in.She smiled when she saw that Adalyn was awake.
“Good morning, miss,” she greeted.
Adalyn sat up.“Good morning.I’m so sorry but I never did learn your name.”
