Everything seemed so homely, and it reminded Scarlen of the cottage she had stayed in for two days before her money was pinched and she was forced onto the streets where she had stolen the bread.
Ulafe stopped at two opposite doors. ‘Perhaps the women in one bedchamber and the men?—’
‘Perhaps not,’ said Raven, opening one door and taking Wynter inside.
Ulafe opened the other door, revealing a cosy room with a double bed, armoire, and a shower chamber to one side. ‘Everything you need is here. Nightwear in the armoire.’
Scarlen stared at the flickering multicoloured flames in the small hearth opposite the bed, wondering where the smokewent. She knew little of witch magick, just that some were quite powerful and often sought-after if so.
Approaching the fire, Ulafe said, ‘All is safe. And it’ll keep you warm.’
‘It’s pretty,’ she replied, watching the colourful sparks twinkle as they danced upwards before fading.
‘I shall bid you goodnight.’ Ulafe headed for the door.
‘Thank you,’ said Scarlen, and Bear gave a nod of appreciation as Ulafe closed them in.
Bear turned to her. ‘The shower will be warm. You go first. Get out of those wet things.’
Scarlen glanced down at herself as she opened the armoire to reach for a white shift. ‘We could shower together.’ Her dream in prison now doable, but she could feel the energy was off between them. ‘Bear?’
‘I’m tired, Scars. Let’s talk tomorrow.’
She took the nightwear into the shower chamber and hung it by some brown towels. Unlike the prison showers and a dark cell, there was no hole in the ceiling for the water to pour through. Instead, a cluster of tiny holes poked through a wooden branch fixed high above the circle of forest-green panels, and when she stretched out her arm beneath it, the warm water sprayed down, stopping when she pulled her arm back.
Leaving the door to the shower chamber wide open, Scarlen set about defrosting and getting ready for bed, not that she was the least bit tired, as the amazement of where she was overruled.
Naked, she entered the shower, a rush of happiness filling her as the warmth of the water felt more like a hug. Untangling her hair, she used the soap provided to wash out the scent of Horstal, the memory of her past.
Bear paced the bedchamber,teeth clenched, fists just as tight. The need to be under the spray with Scarlen was strong, but he didn’t know who she was, and it still bugged him.
Scarlen started humming as though no cares were to be given, and part of him couldn’t blame her, as they should be rejoicing at such a time, but still he grimaced, her naked body so close.
Bear marched to the shower chamber door. ‘Doing okay in there?’ he snapped.Did she just giggle?
‘It’s wonderful. You should try it.’
His frown lines deepened. ‘I will when you get out.’
Scarlen met him in the doorway, droplets of water upon her pale skin. ‘All yours,’ she said softly, locking eyes with the fire in his.
His growl was a lot deeper now he had no Ring, and he could feel his halfling itching to make an appearance, which only happened for two reasons. One, he was angry, or two, excited.
Scarlen grinned. ‘I know you want me.’ Then she went back under the shower and waited.
26
Aflash of heat burned through Scarlen’s core as Bear ripped off his clothing, showing little care for the soaked amber threads. There was no stroll to him entering the shower, only adrenaline-pumped strides as his body crashed into hers, her gasp of breath whooshing into his mouth, their arms tangling, him lifting her legs at once.
Scarlen curled herself around him, raking his wet locks, taking all of his heated kisses, one after the other, the feel of him entering her immediately taking all else. Bear’s thrusts were wild and tireless, pushing deeper and deeper, bringing her higher and higher, then he stopped, surprising her as he lifted her to his shoulders, his mouth between her thighs, and Scarlen reached for the branch above to help steady herself as Bear brought every part of her to life.
She closed her eyes, listening to his groans of delight as she made her own sounds to match, each stroke of his tongue bringing her close to the edge of all that existed. ‘Bear,’ she cried, unable to form any other words as he teased all nerve endings until she bucked against him, helping herself, taking what she needed, falling apart above him, legs trembling, heartracing, faster and faster she pushed, his strong hands holding her firmly, his mouth going nowhere but where she wanted.
Scarlen shuddered in his hold, called his name in a flurry of ragged air, then yielded to his enchantment, each wave of pleasure owning her as much as him.
Bear quickly lowered her back to his waist, then went to slide his length into her once more, but Scarlen covered his face with her palm as she caught her breath.
‘Not so fast.’ A grin sat within her green eyes as she untangled herself to land upon her feet. She shifted him back a step, then bent to her knees, watching him watch her. The anticipation on his face was priceless. And before he could mutter a word, she took him into her mouth, feeling him judder back to the wall for support. Scarlen slipped her mouth away, her tongue dragging slowly. ‘Your turn to be owned.’ He went to speak, but she took him again, his curse trickling into the flow of water, the warmth soothing as their connection caused more steam.
