“Are you sure you won’t join me?” he asked softly, smiling at her with open invitation.
“Quite sure!” she snapped, though inside she wasn’t so sure anymore. She turned away, blotting her hair with trembling hands.
“Then could I ask you a favor, Madeleine?”
She swung around, looking at him suspiciously. “What favor?”
“Would you mind handing me the soap? It’s there on the mantel, a bit out of my reach, unless I stand up—”
“No, no! I’ll get it for ye,” she said uncomfortably. Taking a wide path around the tub, she snatched the thick bar from the mantelpiece. “Here.” She handed it to him, his wet fingers caressing hers. She pulled her hand away as if stung and darted away from him, taking refuge behind the screen, amazed at what his simple touch could do to her.
She chewed her lip as she dried her hair, attempting in vain to blot out the sounds of Garrett bathing. She was startled by his sudden groan of pain. She dropped the towel and quickly peeked out at him. He was attempting to soap his back, but he grimaced, groaning again as he slowly eased his right arm into the water.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, feeling more than a twinge of concern at his evident discomfort.
“It’s nothing. I pulled something in my shoulder today. It was rolling this blasted tub up the stairs, I think. “
She absorbed this, watching as he lifted his arm again and sought to scrub his back. He sighed irritably, his efforts thwarted.
“If—if ye’d like, I can help ye with that,” she offered, venturing out from the screen. She shrugged slightly at his stunned expression. “‘Tis plain to see ye’re hurt, Garrett. I dinna mind, unless ye’d rather not. “
“No, I mean yes, that would be nice,” he said, watching her as she walked to the tub. “That’s very kind of you, Madeleine.”
She said nothing and avoided his eyes as she took the soap from him. She lathered it between her hands, then dropped the bar into the water with a plunk and bent over him, massaging the rugged breadth of his shoulders. She could feel him tense beneath her touch, but gradually he relaxed, leaning forward.
Madeleine concentrated on her task, inwardly thrilled by the rippling muscles beneath her fingertips. She could feel the overwhelming strength of his body in his slightest movement, and she felt her skin tingle with fiery warmth, not knowing if it came from the rising steam or her aroused senses. Her soapy hands plied his neck, then slid down his broad back, following the curve of his spine to just below the water’s surface.
“Garrett,” she murmured, “could ye pull away from the side a bit more so I might reach yer lower back?” He did as she bade him and came up on his haunches, his arms braced against the wooden rim as she washed him.
She sharply drew in her breath, mesmerized by the powerful lines of his body and oblivious to her wandering hands which had strayed from his back. She caressed his tapered hips and sinewed upper thighs, then his taut buttocks, closing her eyes as she delighted in the smooth texture of his skin. She felt him shudder and heard him groan, but this time it was not a cry of pain.
She started at the sound, becoming aware of what she was doing at the same moment he stood up in a spray of warm water and faced her, his body wet and glistening in the firelight. She stepped back, her gaze falling upon his full arousal, and she gasped aloud, thinking only to flee.
Garrett was too fast for her. As she spun on her heel, he grabbed her around the waist and in one easy movement swept her into the tub with him. His arms locked around her, imprisoning her. She was so shocked she could only stare at him, her hands braced against his chest. She could feel his heart thundering beneath her fingertips, matching her own rampant heartbeat.
“You have sorely tempted me, Madeleine,” he whispered hoarsely, nibbling her soft earlobe while he deftly untied her sash with one hand and slipped the satin robe from her shoulders. He nuzzled her neck as he tossed the wet garment onto the floor. “You have gone too far, I fear.”
“What do ye mean? What are ye going to do?” she said breathlessly, her knees weak from the sensation of his mouth upon her skin.
“Only what you want me to do, my lady wife,” he replied huskily, lifting her in his arms and sinking into the warm water with her. “I told you before I would never force you, though you’ve tested my limits this night.” His lips trailed a searing path down her throat. “I want you to know the pleasure that you just gave me, Madeleine. If you don’t soon feel as I do now, I swear I will let you go. Now lean back and close your eyes.”
She did not protest as he turned her around and cradled her in his lap, her slim back against his chest, her head leaning on is shoulder. She was already lost. Any thoughts of defying her body’s wanton betrayal had long since vanished. All she knew was Garrett’s burning heat and the delicious warmth of the bathwater, like a cocoon enveloping her…then she knew no more as his large, soapy hands began to caress her.
“Do you like this?” he asked softly, cupping her breasts, his fingers gliding over her skin and teasing her slippery nipples.
“Aye,” she breathed, writhing and moaning in his lap.
“And this?” His hands slid down and stroked her belly, her curved hips, then dipped between her slick thighs, creeping ever higher until his fingers were entwined in her woman’s hair. “Does this give you pleasure?”
“Aye, Garrett!” she cried out hoarsely, parting her legs for him as he plied her secret heart until she was shaking with desire.
“Tell me, sweet Madeleine,” he demanded thickly, lightly biting her shoulder. “Do you want me to stop?”
“No, dinna stop.” Her words died on her parted lips, all conscious thought lost to the liquid sensations rippling over her. Garrett’s hands were everywhere, her wet skin ablaze from his caress.
“How do you like this?” he groaned against her ear as he lifted her up and filled her with his body. Madeleine gave out a cry of intense pleasure, the urgent pressure of his hand, his fingers, too much for her. She bore down upon him even as his deep thrusts heightened to a fever pitch. Their release came so suddenly, so swiftly, she thought for sure she would die from the shuddering force of it.
She collapsed against him, her head lolling to one side as she fought to catch her breath. She could not have been more startled when he lifted her from him and rose with her from the tub, her body still weak and trembling from her climax.
