Page 60 of Carver’s Crusade

My chest aches at the realization. Other than my father, I didn’t know men like that still existed.

A soft knock sounds against the bathroom door, jerking me from my thoughts.

“Raven?” Carver’s deep voice rumbles through the wood. “You okay in there?”

“I’m fine,” I say.

“Can I come in?”

“Of course.”

Carver pushes the door open and enters with a bottle of wine. “I thought you might like a top-up.”

I smile at him as I raise my glass. “Thank you.”

He smiles down at me, his green eyes twinkling as he stares at my face. “My pleasure. Do you want some company?”

I nod, blushing at the thought of seeing him naked. Instead of stripping, he exits the bathroom and returns with a bottle of beer. Then he surprises me by sliding down the wall to sit on the floor. He crosses his ankles and takes a swig of beer.

I look at him in confusion.

Steam curls through the bathroom, thick with the scent of lavender and heat. I rest deeper into the tub, my knees bent beneath the water while I cradle the wineglass against my chest. The soft fizz from the bath bomb faded a while ago, leaving only calm purple water under the faint glow of the bathroom light.

Part of me is confused that he didn’t climb into the bath with me.

I expected a man like Carver to take advantage of the situation, but he doesn’t. Am I pleasantly surprised or immensely disappointed? I’m not sure. I think if I’m honest with myself, I’m a little disappointed. I imagine how much more perfect it would be to feel his solid form against my back and to lose myself in his strong arms. I can even imagine how his hard cock would feel pressed into my back.

The thought embarrasses me enough that I quickly take another sip of wine. I tell myself it’s ridiculous to feel disappointed. The man barely knows me. He’s already done more for me than anyone else has in a long time.

Still, the image of Carver naked in this tub definitely crossed my mind.

More than once.

He glances toward me, catching me staring. His mouth twitches slightly like he knows exactly where my thoughts wandered.

There is nothing more dangerous than a man who knows his appeal.

I sink a little lower into the water.

“We’re watching the house,” he says finally, his voice low and steady.

That immediately pulls my attention away from my embarrassing thoughts.

“What?”

“Rollings’ house. The one where Tony and his friends met up.” He takes a pull from his beer. “Simon and Axel are sitting on it now.”

I blink. “Right now?”

“Yeah.”

A strange mixture of guilt and relief settles inside me. Guilt because other people are now involved in this nightmare. Relief because maybe I’m not alone anymore.

“Are they going to try and go in?” I ask.

Carver shakes his head. “Not tonight. Tonight, they’re just watching.”

“I guess that’s something,” I say, but I can’t keep the disappointment out of my tone. If there are women in there, they likely aren’t being treated kindly. I doubt anyone is drawing them a soothing bath.