Page 343 of A Vicious Love

“Why?”

“You’re in my bath.”

“It’s House Alder’s bath.”

“Currently mine.”

She smiled without opening her eyes. “Because I’m in it?”

“Yes.”

“That’s romantic in a very Crow way.”

“I do my best.”

Her hand drifted over the water, fingers making small ripples. “Do you feel different?”

I studied her face. “This morning?”

“Yes.”

I thought about lying. Choosing something sharp or simple. Making a joke. Saying that I felt tired, or hungry. Instead, I watched steam move over her skin and gave her the truth.

“Quiet.”

Her eyes opened.

“Inside,” I said. “It’s quiet.”

Her expression turned soft enough to make my chest ache.

“I like that,” she whispered.

“So do I.”

She reached one wet hand out of the bath. For a second, I only looked at it. Then I took it, her fingers curled around mine. Sienna in bathwater, holding my hand because she wanted to.

The phone buzzed once on the counter.

I glanced at it.

A message from Reeves.

Breakfast inquiry repelled. Mrs. Bellemere accepts lunch as compromise. Mr. Bellemere attempted to negotiate. I implied you were armed.

I showed Sienna. She laughed so hard water moved over the edge of the bath.

“Reeves deserves a raise.” She smiled and squeezed my hand.

The morning stayed ours after that. Bath. Towels. Soft clothes. More tea. Sienna curled on the chaise near the window while I sat beside her with one hand in her hair and my phone on silent. She dozed again with her head on my thigh, and I watched the lake through the curtains, planning different ways to keep Bellemere relatives from reaching the door before lunch.

It should have bored me.

By late morning, Sienna stirred and looked up at me, one hand finding my wrist automatically.

“Still here,” she murmured.

I looked down at her. Her fingers traced the ink over my pulse.