Page 89 of A Bond so Fierce and Fragile

He’d give her all of it. If not in this lifetime, then the next.

And he’d start with time.

If it was the last thing he did in the wretched fucking world, it would be to give this incredible creature all the damned time he could.

Merrick’s eyes were burned onto her face as his knuckles brushed her nipples, his body responding immediately when they hardened at his touch.

His cock stretched against the fabric of his breeches, desperate to get out—to feel her warmth wrapping its silky embrace around it. Especially when Lessia pressed her firm breasts against his hands, another whisper of need leaving her.

But he ignored it.

Time. He was taking his time.

“Come here,” he rasped, using every ounce of willpower to turn toward the tub.

“That’s going to be cold,” Lessia protested, her voice still breathy.

Still, he could feel her following him, always aware of her heat, of her soul, just ofherwherever she was around him.

He didn’t respond as he lit the kindling in the stove beneath the tub, making sure it burned bright before he started pouring water into it using the bucket and the strange contraption that allowed water inside through a long tube when Merrick turned a wooden lever.

It took filling the bucket ten times to get the huge tub filled halfway.

He debated whether he should fill it fully, but given how Lessia hovered behind him, the scent that had begun to fill the entire room… he would probably not be able to stop himself from bathing with her, and it’d spill over anyway then.

Rising to his feet, Merrick drew a deep breath, telling himself to be patient, then he turned toward her again.

His eyes widened upon landing on her. Every time he saw her, she was even more gorgeous—a light in the darkness that was his world.

His breath hitched as a shy smile tugged at her features.

Had it been any of his friends reacting like this, he would have made fun of them.

He’d seen her mere seconds ago. But still… it was like seeing her for the first time, whenever his eyes had rested somewhere else but on her.

She was still naked, her skin peppered by goose bumps, but there was no coldness in her eyes as he stalked the few steps to close the distance between them.

“That’s going to take forever to warm up.” Lessia’s eyes bounced to the water behind him before colliding with his again.

“We have time,” Merrick responded as he dragged her to him, folding her body into his. “Besides, the plans I have for you…” He leaned down to whisper against her ear, savoring the hair rising on her neck in response. “They include forever.”

Lessia inhaled sharply, and he could feel her body tense against his.

Fuck. That had been the wrong thing to say.

Silently cursing himself, Merrick let his lips brush her ear again, his canines grazing her earlobe. “You might want a cold bath when I’m done with you.”

A shudder, and not from worry, coursed through her body.

Fucking better. But not good enough.

Merrick ducked his head further, leaving taunting kisses down her neck, across her sharp collarbone, and up again, lazily kissing and nipping at her skin until her chest began heaving against his.

He dragged his lips higher, kissing her chin, then her cheek, halting right before her mouth.

Her breath was hot as it hit his lips, and she leaned her head back, giving him better access while finding his gaze again.

Gods, he could fucking come at the molten look turning her eyes almost as golden as when she used her magic when she got excited.