She’s completely nude. Or at least, I’m assuming she is beneath the huge bubbles sitting atop of her petal-sprinkled bath water.
Eyes closed, she breathes softly as her head rests on the rim of the tin bath.
She looks content. Peaceful. Nothing like how she trembled in the garden. But what I wouldn’t give to strip off this doublet and breeches set that I stole from that knight’s quarters and climb into the bath with her – smothering her with enough kisses to wash away the harsh memories of less than an hour ago.
I made a mistake by not killing Hugo in his chambers. I won’t risk Amaryllis’s safety again.
Behind me, the open window creaks in the wind.
“Who’s there?” Ruby gasps. She’s still in the bath, but now her knees are tucked up to her chest and her head whips around the room. “Who is it? I know someone’s there.”
As much as I’d love to stay hidden and play with her for a bit, she’s had enough torture for one night.
“It’s just me,” I tell her, stepping out from the shadows.
“Kaz?” she squeaks. A blush blooms across her cheeks and she sinks further into the bath. “What are you doing here? You need to leave! If anyone were to see you in here with melike this…”
Her voice trails off as I step closer. When I reach the edge of the bath, I drop to a crouch and skim my fingers over the bubbles.
“I came to check you were alright after everything that happened in the garden,” I say, letting the warm, rose-scented foam fizz against my skin. “He didn’t hurt you, did he? Hugo?” Just the feel of his name on my tongue makes my gaze darken.
Ruby shakes her head. “He didn’t. And I’m alright now, thank you,” she adds curtly, avoiding my stare. “You’ll find your payment on my vanity. Just take anything you’d like, but please leave quickly and speak of this to no one.”
Her chin jerking towards the necklaces on the vanity is my silent cue to obey. And really, if I were a better man, I would. I don’t even need to look at the necklaces to see how much thediamonds shine. Real diamonds. Real value that I could share out amongst my crew and their families.
But I must be selfish, because the only jewel I can focus on is the red-haired beauty sitting nude beneath her rose-scented bathwater.
My Ruby.Mine. And I’m not letting go of what’s mine that easily.
“Are you bored of me already, Princess?” I tease, dipping and swirling my fingers into the water just enough to make ripples in the bubbles.
“Stop that,” she grumbles.
“Stop what?” My fingers plunge deeper.
“That!” she spits. Gathering more bubbles to her chest, she gives me a glare that could rival a hissing kitten’s. “This is highly inappropriate,” she huffs. “You need to take your payment and leave before I call the guards.”
A chuckle rolls off my lips. Lifting my fingers, I let her think I’m listening for just a few heartbeats before suddenly, I’m scooting closer.
Her breath catches.
With a smile, I lean forward and trap her chin between my thumb and forefinger. “Do it,” I tell her, lifting her chin to meet my gaze, “call the guards.”
“I-I…”
“Go on,” I prompt, “Idareyou to call them.”
Like a little mouse, she trembles beneath my stare. It would be so easy for me to take her now, and I know she knows it too. She’s already undressed. I could haul her out of those damned bubbles and have her legs spread completely bare for me faster than she could scream.
But no. As I said, I’m a gentleman – or at least I’m forcing myself to be around Ruby. I like my prey willing. And I’m certainthat eventually Ruby will be – even if she’s too stubborn and full of royal decorum to admit it right now.
“You should leave,” she manages to mutter, clamping her lips shut in a feeble attempt to hide the way they quiver. Damn pretty lips.
“Call the guards,” I say again.
She scowls.
“Coward,” I tease, as her lips part in a scoff.
