Page 42 of Kneel Before Me

“But you’re not getting in the bath with me,” she added sternly. “And you’re not seeing me naked.”

Maximus let out a soft chuckle. “In that case, I would suggest the lavender bath oil.”

“Why?”

“It makes the biggest bubbles.”

Daphne shot him a skeptical glare. In response, Maximus crossed to the bath, turned on the water, and selected a purple oil from the shelf. He poured a generous amount into the tub, and Daphne watched as it immediately began blossoming into bubbles. They watched as the bubbles rose, filling the bathroom with the scent of lavender. When the tub was full, Maximus shut off the water.

Daphne turned to him. “Sit over there.” She pointed at a velvet pouf next to the sink. The prince crossed to it slowly, holding her gaze as he did so.

“Close your eyes.”

Maximus did.

“And don’t peek.”

He smiled, his eyes still closed. “I wouldn’t dream of it, darling.”

Only once Daphne was quite sure his eyes were shut tight did she remove her dress, pulling it off and hanging it on a hook on the wall. She dipped one toe into the bath before stepping all the way in, barely holding back a moan as she did so. It felt heavenly. Daphne slid beneath the bubbles, finding that Maximus was right; they provided ample coverage. She made sure her body was completely submerged before she said, “You can open them now.”

Maximus opened his eyes, a trace of a smile still on his face. Daphne had been naked before many men, on many occasions, but never in a situation like this. Never alone in a bathtub, half-concealed, while the other person was still clothed. Despite the fact that her nudity should make her feel vulnerable, Daphne felt the opposite. She felt powerful. It was clear Maximus was at her beck and call. She doubted there was anything she could ask of him that he wouldn’t give her.

“Are you feeling warmer?” he asked.

It was a loaded question. Daphne was not just warm; she was turned on. It was impossible not to feel like that in a situation like this. There were too many pleasurable sensations—the hot water against her skin, the smooth bath oil, the heady scent of lavender. It was all overwhelming. But she couldn’t tell him any of that.

“Yes,” she said simply.

“Good.”

They stared at each other. Maximus was sitting with one leg propped on the other, his arms crossed over his chest. His pose was protective, as if he was trying to close himself off from her. Daphne wondered whether he was wrestling with himself, fighting some sort of eternal battle. His daughter’s room was right next door. Was he as aware of that as Daphne was?

In contrast to his body language, Maximus’s eyes devoured her ravenously. Daphne watched him take in every inch of her that was visible above the bubbles, his gaze passing over first her face, then her neck, then her freckled shoulders. She raised herself an infinitesimal amount, exposing an inch of cleavage just to see if he would look. He did.

“Do you make a habit of this?” Daphne asked.

His eyes snapped back up to hers. “Of what?”

“Offering women baths.”

Maximus smiled. “Not usually.”

“You should.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s…nice.”

Nice was the very least it was. Daphne felt glorious. She’d never been in a bathroom as fancy as this one, much less had a bath like this. She felt like a queen.

“I shall take that under advisement.”

“Good.”

His smile lingered. His arms remained crossed.

“I’m sorry about what happened the other night,” Daphne said presently.