Page 84 of Treasured

“Of course, it does.” She laughed. “What kind of scientist would I be otherwise?”

My lips twitched, and my muscles tightened in eager anticipation. Every time I’d participated in my wife’s experiments, I enjoyed them immensely. “Tell me, darling, what would you have me do first?”

She stopped a few feet away from the water’s edge. Her eyes glimmered, and she tugged on my tunic. “You should probably take this off. It doesn’t seem conducive to the experiment.”

The garment was on the ground in a flash. “Anything else?”

Her fingers went to the waistband of my trousers. “These too.”

I dropped them next to my tunic, taking my undergarments off at the same time for efficiency.

A cool breeze ran over me, but I did not move. Luna’s eyes crawled over me slowly, but nothing was threatening in her gaze. Love, admiration, and desire pounded through the Binding Mark.

“What next, love?” I glanced at the bath. Up close, it looked even more inviting. “Am I the only one getting in the water?”

“No,” she said. “In order for this experiment to be properly conducted, I think I need to join you.”

“And you need to feed,” I reminded her. “That, too.”

Her hands went to the hem of her shirt, and she pulled it over her head. My mouth dried, and suddenly, standing still was much more difficult as she slowly removed each item of her clothing.

Luna took her time undressing, each movement seemingly designed to drive me insane with want. Eventually, each garment joined mine on the floor until she stood naked before me. She was stunning. It didn’t seem to matter how many times I saw her like this because awe continually filled me at the sight of her. She was perfect in every way, and she was mine.

“Gods, I love you,” I groaned.

Luna smiled, saying the words back. She went over to a shelf I hadn’t noticed before, grabbing two massive towels, a bottle of shampoo, and a bar of soap. Her hips moved with every step, and she took her time strolling to the edge of the bath.

Outlined in violet, Luna dipped her toe in the steaming water. She sighed contentedly, the sound going straight to my core. She lowered her body into the bath, dipping her head underneath before rising and pushing her wet hair out of her face. “You didn’t think I’d pass this up, did you? This is exactly what I needed.”

As if she knew I was waiting for her invitation, Luna took her time dunking her head again. Her lips tilted up into a teasing smile as she swam to the middle.

Treading water, she turned and met my gaze. “Come in and help me wash my hair?”

“A herd of rabid Fledglings couldn’t stop me,” I growled, practically leaping into the water.

It was hot, but not uncomfortably so. Not that it mattered. It could have been boiling tar, and I would still join her. As soon as I lowered my body into the water, knots that had been forming for days loosened beneath the heat. I groaned, “Gods.”

“That good?” Luna chuckled.

In response, I dove under the water and swam towards her. I’d grown up near the Black Sea and had many years of experience swimming. Reaching out, I grabbed her hips and pulled her towards me as I stood. The water came to my hips, and the stones were smooth beneath my feet.

A squeal filled the air as I pressed my lips against hers. When she was thoroughly kissed, I held her close. “It’s a very nice surprise, Luna, but the bath isn’t what makes me happy.”

She tilted her head. “Oh?”

“It’s you.” I kissed her again because I couldn’t help myself. Luna’s hands went around my shoulders, and she moved as close as she could get, never breaking our embrace. My tongue ran over the seam of her mouth, and she moaned. Our kiss deepened, becoming a tangle of tongues and teeth as we reveled in being with each other.

When I touched the tip of a fang, a sound of pure longing burst from her lips. Shadows slipped out of her, and she moved closer to me.

More, Sebastian, she murmured through our mental connection.

I chuckled, enjoying the way she pressed herself firmly against me. What about your experiment?

Consider this additional research, she said without skipping a beat.

Happily.

Striding over to the side of the bath, I brushed my lips over Luna’s mouth, her neck, and her shoulders. I took my time going lower, my mouth trailing over her chest as she squirmed against me.

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