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“Can you help me get into the tub?”
“You need to be undressed first.”
“Yes. Which is exactly what I need help with.”
“Of course.” With an unsure look on his face that gives him more of an awkward teenager appearance rather than a ruthless vampire, he kneels before me once again. He starts to reach forward and pauses, balling his hands into fists for a moment before gripping the hem of my shirt. As he gently tugs it up, his fingers trail against my skin, scorching me as he lifts it up.
As soon as he brushes against my ribs, I jolt, and he stills, freezing in place.
“Sorry. Ticklish,” I mumble, not wanting him to know the gentle contact actually hurt. The corner of his lips quirk up in a smile.
“I never realized you were ticklish.”
“It’s not exactly something I advertise. You tell someone you’re ticklish, and suddenly, it’s all they want to do.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“I appreciate that.”
“May I continue?”
“Yes, please. That bathwater is calling to me in a way bathwater never has.”
He grunts and continues raising my shirt, tugging it up and over my head, discarding it onto the floor. “I’m going to help you stand.”
“Okay.” With the tenderness of a man lifting porcelain, he raises me to my feet and moves me closer to the sink so I can rest against it. He watches me, swallowing hard, before shaking fingers undo the button of my jeans.
Slowly, he lowers them to the ground, breath fanning against my skin as he moves lower. Lust slams into my body, and I sway. Tarnley’s on his feet, hands braced on either side of the sink before I can so much as let out a single breath.
“Are you all right?” His voice is raw, and he doesn’t meet my gaze. Something I’m more than grateful for because I’m pretty damn sure neither one of us would be able to keep from giving in to what has been between us for longer than I care to admit.
Even back when I’d been with Elijah, a part of me longed for Tarnley. Not because I didn’t love the former, but because of the tenderness I experienced at the hands of the latter. He was a friend when I’d needed one, a confidant.
And he abandoned you when you’d needed him.The voice echoes through my mind, and I dig my fingers into the countertop. How fucking nice of it to join me now.
More than likely sensing the shift in my mood, Tarnley pulls back. “Can you manage the rest if I get you into the water?”
I nod and let out a breath. If I have to get my underwear wet in order to keep Tarnley from seeing me naked right now, I’ll do it. Because as frustrating as it is, the voice is right. I can never allow myself to forget just what he was willing to do to rip the magic from me.
Nor can I forget the pain, both physical and emotional, he caused by doing so.
Tarnley lifts me into his arms and carries me the few steps to the tub, gently lowering me down into the steaming water. I moan, unable to hold the pleasure in as the heat envelops my aching body.
I took a beating today, that’s for damn sure.
As soon as I’m submerged to my neck, Tarnley blurs out of the room and slams the door behind him. My gaze drops to the amulet still between my breasts, water beading on its shiny surface, and a fresh wave of anger burns through me as I long to rip the one Chasin made me off all over again and watch the glorified costume jewelry shatter against the floor.
It was supposed to have protected me from a magical attack.
And it had done absolute shit. Just as its creator had done while he stood by and let me be nearly murdered. At least now it will be used to track the bastard.
Knowing I can do nothing about it now, I manage to slip out of my bralette and underwear, tossing them on top of the pile of clothes and leaning down as I lose myself in the comfort of the bath and in knowing that I’m safe—for now.
Are you truly safe, though? These people tried to rip us apart.
You have no room to talk,I reply.
I had no choice. They would have stolen me had you used me.
