Page 11 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

B rianna’s remark stunned him silent. Her remark that followed stunned him even more by making sense.

“It is necessary.”

He did not wish to admit that she was correct, that her suggestion made perfect sense. And that he was going to get what he wished. He was going to join Brianna in the tub.

“I can manage to sit for a moment on my own if you can undress with haste.”

He wanted to laugh, nay maybe cry at her words, for he could disrobe within seconds knowing he would ease his naked body behind hers. Instead,

he remained calm outwardly while inwardly his emotions turned chaotic.

His warrior skills had taught him the art of remaining calm under extreme pressure, and he called on those skills now, or else he feared he would lose this battle with himself.

“Let me add more hot water first. Then I will ease your weight for a moment and then undress.”

“Aye, I can manage that.”

‘Tell me when you feel comfortable enough for me to release you.”

She nodded, took several deep breaths, and grabbed hold of the sides of the tub. “Now.”

Her voice sounded unsure, but it was better that he did not question her, for courage sometimes disappeared when questioned. He released her slowly then quickly set to work, adding the heated water to the tub. His arm was around her again before the pain could trouble her.

“The heat feels so good. You must come join me and enjoy it.”

He thought it would have been wise to douse himself in the snow before joining her in the tub, but that was not possible. He had to remember how she trusted him to keep her safe, but damned if he knew how long he could keep her safe from him.

She took several deep breaths again. “Ready.”

He let go of her, stood, and flew out of his clothes. He noticed she had shut her eyes, and that brought a smile to his face. Wait until she leaned back against him; he wondered then if her eyes would remain closed or widen.

He hurried into the tub, though with care, for he did not wish to send the water splashing. He eased his legs around her and slipped his one arm around her to rest beneath her breasts, then after situating himself comfortably, he drew her back against him.

She rested her head on his chest and placed her hand on his arm. “I have never been naked in a tub with a man before this and never thought to be, especially with a stranger.” His laughter was a soft rumble in his chest, and she enjoyed the sound of it.

“I am no longer a stranger. I tend you, touch you, and sleep with you. We have become familiar with each other in more ways than many husbands and wives do.”

“Aye,” she agreed, “that is the truth. Many husbands would not do for their wives what you have done for me.”

“How could I not? You are a gentle soul and so very beautiful.”

Her eyes rushed open. She had kept them closed not knowing if she could look upon him after feeling the length and strength of him behind her.

He had pulled her close, and she knew how very much of a man he was, and to her surprise the thought thrilled her.

But he telling her that she was beautiful shocked her.

“You think me beautiful?”

“Aye.” He kissed her temple. “I have known no woman as beautiful as you.”

“You tease me.”

She did not believe him, and he found that odd. Women enjoyed being told of their beauty, though her beauty went beyond the common. She defined beauty and that was rare.

“Nay, I tease you not, I mean what I say. You are beautiful to look upon—all of you.” He gave her an affectionate squeeze.

She simply did not know how to respond. She was stunned silent.

He sensed her discomfort and attempted to make light of it. “Are you not now going to tell me that I am beautiful?”

She giggled softly; she could not help it. She knew he but teased her. But then, he did not realize that a man’s looks meant naught to her. It was what was in his heart that mattered, and his heart was beautiful.

“I think you the handsomest of men.”

Royce could not believe that she spoke with such conviction.

She actually sounded as though she thought him handsome. He could not help but say, “Has the accident left you with poor sight?”

“I see more clearly than I ever have, and it is clear to me that you are a handsome and caring man.”

He was about to object when she gently squeezed his arm. “Please allow me to feel as I do.”

There was a tender ache in her voice that touched his heart. He leaned his head closer to hers. “I am glad you think me handsome.”

“And caring, do not forget caring.”

“I care for you.”

His words were a soft whisper one strained to hear.

Brianna heard them, for they drifted over her and settled in her heart.

She did not question them or give them thought, but simply held them close and made them part of her.

This man was like no other she had ever met, and if she was not careful she could lose her heart to him.

“You are comfortable?” His arms remained firm around her.

‘Too comfortable.”

He understood, for he felt too comfortable himself. He had grown much too fond of her in much too short of a time and yet why did he feel it was so right?

“The water will chill fast. It is best we wash before it grows too cold. Let me start with your hair.”

“You will wash my hair?”

“I will wash all of you.”

She looked at him with disbelief. “The heavens surely smiled down on me when they sent you to my rescue. And when I am well, I will tend you.”

He grinned. “You will wash me then?”

She liked his teasing manner. She had never imagined being playful with a man, but she felt like a carefree young woman with him. “I give a good scrubbing; you may think otherwise afterward.”

“I will take my chances. Now let us get you finished and back in bed.” He reached over the tub and retrieved a wooden bowl that he used to scoop up water and pour over her hair. He then lathered it with soap and scrubbed her head until she sighed with pleasure.

“Your hair?” she questioned when he had rinsed her hair clean.

“I will dunk my head after our bath and have done with it.”

“The water is cooling—we need to hurry.”

He grabbed the soap and it slipped out of his hand down onto Brianna. She grabbed it and lathered her hands. He thought she would wash herself and deny him the pleasure, but to his amazement she began to scrub his arm where it rested across her.

He took the soap from her, lathered his own hands and proceeded to scrub her shoulders.

They worked well together, each scrubbing the other. With his support Brianna could reach his legs and her own. He did her back and down her arms, then gently scrubbed her breasts, lingering just a bit longer than he should have but keeping his touch as respectful as possible.

She shivered, and while the water had chilled, it was not the temperature that caused the shiver. Her nipples had turned sensitive when he ran his hand across them several times. She had not expected to respond, had not expected her nipples to harden—had not expected to want more.

“Enough! I am getting you out now before you catch a chill. Can you brace yourself for a moment?”

She nodded, her focus on her throbbing nipples.

He stood in haste, the water splashing over the sides, grabbed for a towel, reached down, and scooped her up with one arm. Bracing her against his wet body, he draped the towel around her and began to rub her dry.

He saw to both of them as he worked, being methodical in his strokes and making certain to cover every inch of her. She warmed and relaxed with every soothing stroke. He snatched up two more towels before scooping her up into his arms and carrying her to the bed.

“Hold on to me,” he ordered after resting her on the bed.

She did and he wrapped her wet hair in the clean towel before laying her back against the pillows.

To her relief the other towel he quickly wrapped around his waist. She did not wish to think that her glance purposely drifted where it had no place going, but then she had done many things of late she had never expected to do.

She lay still and allowed him to tuck her safe and warm beneath the blankets. She had not realized until she was comfortably tucked in that he had not helped her into her night shift. She thought to mention it, but he wore a stern expression, and she wondered over the change in him.

Without a word to her he walked over to the tub, kneeled beside it, and dunked his head in the water. She panicked when he did not raise his head after several minutes, and then in a flash he drew his head up and out, water flying out around him.

He took a great breath of air and released it with a force almost as if he were releasing a demon within. He then proceeded to scrub his hair quite vigorously. Another dunk of his head, this one not as long as the first, and then a forceful rub with a towel over his wet hair, and he was finished.

He approached the bed, his stern expression gone, and she felt more relaxed in asking him, “Did that not hurt your wounds?”

He shook his head. “Nay, they sting but a moment, and the cleansing is good for them.”

She raised her hands to her head to see to drying her hair, but he captured both her wrists in his one hand. Instantly she recalled the way her husband would grab hold of her like that and then begin to torment her with his free hand.

“Nay, please.” She hated hearing the begging in her voice.

He instantly released her. “I meant you no harm. I will see to drying your hair.”

She swallowed hard the lump in her throat, and it took her a minute to find a strong voice. “I am sorry.”

“There is nothing for you to be sorry about. I should not have grabbed you like that.”

“Nay, I know you meant me no harm—” She shook her head, not knowing what to say, or if she should offer an explanation.

He made it easy for her. He simply reached up and removed the towel from her head. “Let me see to your hair.”

She raised her hand to his wrist and took a gentle hold of it “Why? Why are you so very good to me?”

He looked puzzled, as if he had no answer for her, and then he softly whispered, “I care for you.”