Page 48 of Married to the Beast

“Oh, I don’t think we can pay for advanced techniques!” Aleena protested.

He shook his head.

“No charge, baby. Now…” He cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes. “Do you feel better?”

Aleena nodded shyly.

“I was so sure you’d be angry with me, my Bear. Please forgive me for doubting your kindness.”

He smiled.

“I’m glad to hear you call me ‘my Bear’ again instead of ‘my Lord Husband.’”

Aleena felt her cheeks getting hot with a blush as she met his eyes.

“You’re so sweet to me. I fear I don’t deserve you.”

“The feeling is mutual, baby.” Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on her lips. “Have you soaked long enough? Would you like to come out now so I can dry you off?”

“Yes, my Bear.”

Aleena nodded. Now that she was certain he wasn’t angry with her and he had promised to help her mother, she felt much less anxious and upset. In fact, she felt the urge to be close to her big, protective Kindred husband.

She let him help her out of the bath and stood obediently as he dried her with a big, fluffy towel. Then he wrapped her in a soft bathrobe and carried her into their bedroom.

So much had happened that day, that Aleena felt completely worn out. When Bear sat on the side of the bed, still holding her, she snuggled against his broad chest and breathed in his warm, spicy, comforting scent.

“Oh my Bear,” she whispered. “Thank you for bathing me and making me feel so much better. Is this what happens during the bathing time in the Claiming period you told me about?”

“Something like this…though if we really were doing the bathing time, I’d be massaging you all over with scented oils now,” Bear rumbled.

“Mmm, that sounds nice,” Aleena admitted. “You know, I think I saw a bottle of massage oil in the bathing accoutrements.”

“Hmm…and would you like me to treat you like it’s our Bathing week?” he asked. Aleena saw the light in his eyes—which were golden once more—and heard the eagerness in his deep voice.

She was feeling eager herself, to be honest. She liked the idea of her new husband’s big hands rubbing all over her naked body.

“Yes, my Bear. If…if you want to,” she admitted breathlessly.

“Mmm, Imorethan want to, baby,” he assured her. “Let me just get things ready.”

And he put her on the bed and went into the other room, leaving Aleena to anticipate what was to come.

29

BEAR

Bear found the massage oil easily—it had a light, floral scent which was nice but not overpowering. He brought it into the bedchamber and then lowered the overhead lights till there was only a dim, golden glow to light the room. Aleena lay there, looking up at him with her big eyes filled with trust.

It touched him that she was allowing him to do this. It meant a lot to him that she was trusting him, especially after being brutally attacked. It made him angry to think that the Karpsians actually blamed the woman who was attacked in such a situation. What the fuck was wrong with these people, treating their women so badly?

He pushed the thought aside—it would only make him angry and he didn’t want to bring any Rage energy into this massage. Instead, he wanted it to be healing—a warm and loving time to let his new wife know how much he cared for her.

You’re caring a littletoomuch, don’t you think?whispered a little voice in his head.What about your plans to disavow her once the negotiations are over? What about your vow?

Bear pushed the thought away. He wasn’t breaking his vow—he wasn’t going to Bond her to him—he was just going to massage her and make her feel good.

“Lay on your stomach, baby but you’d better take off your robe first,” he told her. “It’ll only get in the way.”

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