“I’ll need to fill the bath with water.” The silence lingered long enough that I opened my eyes. “Then, I will rinse it out for you.” He swallowed. “If you wish.”
My fatigue diminished as I studied this dark, intense man. “Your assistance sounds like a wise safety precaution.”
Thank you,he replied.Oddly, I didn’t notice his lips move, but my exhausted mind was still swimming from all that had taken place. I nodded in response. Dom held out his hand, offering me stability within his firm grip as I slowly stood, then stepped out of the tub. He opened the spigot, water filling the basin. I dipped my fingers in and agitated the water with my magic, warming it to my liking, bands of steam curling upward.
Dom respectfully turned away granting me privacy. Gingerly, I untied the robe letting it drop quietly to the floor. I removed my chemise, the softwhooshof the material the same tone as Dom’s intake of air. “Will you help me back in?”
He turned back toward me, his breath stilling. His eyes made a thorough, sweep of my body. He swallowed. Hard. “Beautiful,” he murmured.
I glanced away at the intensity of his scrutiny, timid despite his words. I returned to the bath with the aid of Dom’s warm hands, sinking into the water’s lapping embrace as the tension in the air thickened. Steam rose languidly and my skin glistened with moisture.
He pulled down a basket of fragrant oils and colorful soaps. With a cup, he poured fresh water over my hair, rinsing the coracite out. His strong hands massaged oils and creams that smelled of honey and vanilla into my lightened strands. Hisbrow furrowed in concentration as he methodically combed through my hair until all the coracite and travel grime had been removed and only clean silk remained. I closed my eyes, indulging in his tender attentions. His fingers teased at my scalp and I softly groaned in pleasure.
My magic escaped me, fingers of water entwining with Dom’s. Water exploded above me in fireworks of mist while parts of the copper tub melted and transformed into glinting metallic bubbles that hovered above the water, mingling with my sparkling iridescent drops. Dom’s shadows swirled outward, leisurely grazing down my body. Goose bumps covered my skin as I relished the way my magic hummed alongside his. I squirmed beneath the water as his shadows moved downward, edging my hips, caressing my inner thighs.
Desire pooled, warring with fatigue. I wanted to weep at the injustice that my body demanded rest. The copper tub took on a life of its own as it softened under the weight of my body, firmly kneading the muscles of my back. I yawned as I peered up into Dom’s glittering eyes.
He fisted his hands and his shadows disappeared. He leaned over my head, still playing with my hair, his breath softly brushing my cheek. I inhaled him, wishing my body wasn’t so drained. “I can feel your exhaustion.” He dragged his nose down the bridge of my own. I entwined my fingers with his, his other hand splayed flat at my shoulder, slowly, so slowly, moving downward. The water hardly covered the pink of my nipples. They hardened at his teasing touch.
His whisper sank into my skin. “I have extensive plans for your pleasure, and I want you wide awake to enjoy it all.”
Oh.
“But if you aren’t too tired, just say the word.”
Oh.
The water swirled around me, my magic groaning for him. My heart swelled with a tenderness that, with anyone else, would have frightened me. I could no longer deny him.
Chapter Forty-Two
THE SPY
Itugged on our clasped hands, forcing him to stand and walk around the tub. He kept his eyes on me, moving slowly, a lion with his prey. His loose pants hung low at his hips, the arrowed muscles at his waistline drew my thirsty gaze. He used his free hand to release his pants; they pooled on the floor. Biting my lower lip, my heart raced in anticipation. His body did not disappoint. It would make even the most exquisite marble statues weep.
He kept his underwear on as he made to step into the gleaming copper tub, his large arousal unmistakable. I arched my brow in question. A half smile coerced a dimple to his scruffy cheek. “Your pleasure is my pleasure,m’est kisertes. I’ve thought about doing this for a very long time. My turn will come later.” The words came out in baritone silk.
I scooted further back into the arms of the massive tub as he stepped inside. Desire and anticipation coursed through my veins. His patient self-restraint almost made me jump out of my own skin. I didn’t want him to take his time. I forced myself to relinquish control and follow his lead.
I’d give him fifteen seconds.
He knelt down in front of me, water lapping at his thighs, as I opened my legs, inviting him closer. His broad shoulders blocked the view of the mountains through the window. Moonlight illuminated his body, forging him into a glowing god.
He softly held my jaw, along with my heart, in his sturdy hands. His eyes, heavy with want, overflowed with adoration as he tilted my chin, taking his sweet time searing me with his gaze. I wanted him to mark me. With his eyes, his hands, his tongue. I shoved a little encouraging wave of water at his back.
“So demanding,” he chuckled. His hand curled around the back of my neck, bringing me closer. His lips crushed mine and I met him with equal vigor. My lips parted and he took his fill of my mouth. The sweep of his tongue flipped a switch in my body. Everything around us fell mute. Water curled out of me, and the tub sloshed with our movements. I arched into him, needing to feel the weight of him, my fingers grasping at every inch of his toned body.
He eased back onto his heels, pupils blown wide. Amusement crinkled his eyes as I whimpered in protest. “The dreams that have plagued me at the thought of your taste…” He shook his head, chuckling. “Don’t let me drown.”
Want lanced through my body, heating my core. His hands delved beneath the surface of the water, finding my calves, smoothly exploring their way upward. I could feel my desire warming between my legs as I leaned my head back, relishing in his command of my body. His fingers meandered to my knees, stroking upward as they splayed hungrily, stimulating the delicate skin at the top of my inner thighs. He edged to my center, leisurely exploring every dip and curve. Ice crystallized along the tub’s edge where my grip cut into it.
I never knew connection until this moment. I didn’t understand care before this man. I never felt so greedy and sogenerous. I’d never been so exposed and cherished as I was in this candlelit bathroom.
Dom dipped his head under the water, and I finally connected his previous words to his actions. Immediately, I threw my magic down, allowing him to breathe below the surface. I felt the curve of his smile against my inner thigh as he dragged his tongue toward my center, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin. I welcomed him into me. He gripped my hips, tugging them downward, urging my legs further apart.
The heat of his mouth coaxed an unbidden groan. My body begged for more, and his shadows answered as his tongue performed its own brand of magic. Ribbons of velvet shadow snaked up my stomach, teasing my nipples and tightening around my neck.
My skin flushed, and I could feel his magic beckoning my blood toward the surface, where his mouth sucked and teased against me. I was an inferno of sensations. Every touch of hand, tongue, and shadow scored into me, branding me as his. And I freely gave in to him. He could suck me dry and I would beg for more.
