Page 46 of A Bargain with the Fae King

“It’s not… We can’t… I…” Broken thoughts spill from my lips as I squirm against him.

The movement earns me a low groan of pleasure and a look that nearly has me saying yes. It’s not that I don’t want him. Hell, I’ve never wanted anyone like this. But with all that happened today…

Riven’s arms loosen and fall away. A gentle push sends us sliding to opposite sides of the tub.

All at once, I’m cold. I miss his warmth, his touch.

He could be a god, the way he looks reclined in the tub. Lantern light glimmers off his wet hair and skin. Even the way his head lolls back against the rim as he stares up toward the ceiling—or lack thereof—is a graceful work of art. I, on the other hand, probably look like a drowned rat.

An apology forms on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it down. I have nothing to apologize for. He’d get what he wanted. Sooner or later.

What’s a few minutes of pleasure with someone you’re attracted to?My fingertips dig into my arms.He did save your life today. It’s an inner war, one I’ve fought more in the last two days than in many months.

But May is still out there.

Riven groans and climbs from the tub, giving me a view that dries my throat.

Dear God. I blink, trying to erase the image without success.

He pulls a robe around himself before saying, “They should have brought food by now, and I’m sure you’re hungry.”

Riven holds out a hand to me, offering aid from the tub.

But standing up now would give him the same view he’d given me. My eyes flick to the pile of robes and towels then back again.

A tight grin tugs at the corner of his lips. “It was worth a try.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes. Ridiculous man.

He grabs a clean, dry robe of deep green and holds it open for me. Like a gentleman, he averts his gaze. “I won’t watch, though I’ll admit wanting to.”

I slip from the tub into the waiting embrace of the robe. It wicks away the water like nothing I’ve ever used and cocoons me in soft warmth. You’d think the things are heated, but I don’t see a fire.

Riven pulls me into a firm hug, only the robes between us.

“Just a moment,” he says when I squirm against him. The softness in his voice, the need, affects something in me.

And if I’m honest with myself, I need this too, especially after the horrible events of the evening. Lingering in his arms, the place I longed to be for so long, does more to cleanse me than water ever could.

Chapter 14

Eventually,whenI’vesoakedup enough of Riven’s comforting strength, we make our way into the main room. His presence is more soothing than a spa day, and that’s saying a lot.

But my peace is short-lived.

My legs lock up when a woman rises from the sofa in the center of the room.

She might as well have walked straight out of a storybook. Black hair haloes a regal head. A long, blue dress hugs her lean form. Its color is a perfect complement to her dark hands clasped in front of her. The delicate pose evokes the image of a fairytale princess.

Or a fae queen…

My heart constricts before blazing with jealousy.

“Ah, thank you for coming so late,” Riven says.

Her eyebrows rise as she looks between the two of us, a hint of mirth playing about her features. She waves one manicured hand through the air. “That’s no trouble, though you may want to introduce us before the dear girl gets the wrong idea.”

My back straightens as she strides my way. My nails dig into the edge of my sleeve. It’s not fear of the woman herself. She seems the type that wouldn’t hurt a fly. But rather, I fear her connection to the man I’d just shared a bath with. And what does she imagine we’d done in there? Heat blazes across my cheeks.

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