Page 216 of Puck Me Back to Life

Kai cracks one eye open. “Food?”

I laugh. “Soon.”

“Waffles?”

“No.”

He sighs dramatically. “I had hope.”

I lean down to press another kiss into his hair.

I disappear into the bathroom and start the water. The old clawfoot tub fills slowly, steam curling toward the ceiling as I pour in far more bubble bath than any reasonable person needs. Within a minute, the surface is covered in thick white foam.

Kai always likes baths after long days. Especially lately.

I dim the lights until the room is bathed in a soft amber glow instead of harsh white. Then I prop my phone on the counter and scroll through my playlists. Nothing with lyrics. Just quiet piano. Something calm enough that it fades into the background.

I return to the bedroom. Kai has managed to sit up, although he still looks as though he could fall asleep at any second.

“Come on.”

He reaches for me without thinking.

I lace our fingers together. “Bath's ready.”

He lets me guide him. His steps are slow, sleepy, trusting. Every now and then he bumps gently into my shoulder instead of correcting his path.

I don't mind. Not even a little.

By the time we reach the bathroom, steam has warmed the entire room.

Kai smiles softly. “Bubbles.”

“Lots of bubbles.”

“You know me too well.”

“I like to think so.”

I help him ease into the water before climbing in behind him. The tub is just large enough for both of us if I sit against the back.

Kai settles naturally between my legs, his back resting against my chest as though we've done this a hundred times before.

I stretch my legs alongside his and wrap my arms loosely around his waist beneath the water.

For several minutes, neither of us speaks. The music drifts through the room. The scent of lavender hangs in the warm air.

Kai melts a little more against me with every passing minute. I can actually feel the tension leaving his body.

His shoulders, which always seem to carry the weight of the entire world, finally begin to loosen.

I rest my chin on top of his head. He smells like my shampoo all the time now. The realization makes me smile.

My fingers lazily trace slow circles across his stomach beneath the water. Not because I'm trying to accomplish anything. Simply because I like touching him.

He sighs so quietly I almost miss it. “Tired?”

“So tired.”