Page 53 of A Darkness So Sweet

She heard the sound of water trickling and then the long groan as he plunged himself into the warm water. It was safe enough for her to turn around now, she supposed.

And when she did, all the breath was sucked free from her lungs. He leaned against the back of the tub, his arms on the edges, his head tilted back so all she could see were the planes of his chest and the hot steam that surrounded him. She didn’t care that blood streamed off of him, down his collarbone, and dripped from his claws. All that mattered were the muscles that were a feast for her gaze and the way he looked so thoroughly delicious.

Swallowing hard, she grabbed a few wash cloths and approached him. “You can’t save everyone, Ragnar.”

He blinked one eye open and then closed his eyes again. “I can save as many people as I can save. I learned that a long time ago, fire hair.”

“Then why are you punishing yourself for not saving more of them?”

He grunted.

What a response, she thought. Dipping the cloth into the water, she lathered soap on it before tapping his hand. “Here,” she said. “Take this.”

He looked down at the cloth and arched a brow.

“You said you didn’t want me to wash you. I’m holding you to that. If you’re as well as you say you are, then you can manage it on your own, big man.”

He grunted again but grabbed the cloth from her with a hand that shook only a little. She knew he’d likely expected her to wash him despite his protests, but she would not do that when he was being like this. He could earn that treatment, but she wouldn’t do it just because he expected it.

Hilariously, he washed himself. He was brisk and rough, his lavender skin darkening with all of his efforts. And throughout it all, she just watched him. Cushioning her chin on the edge of the tub, she kept her gaze on his face and shoulders and not on the intriguing piercings that were surely just underneath the edge of the water if she wanted to look. But right now wasn’t about that. She just wanted to look at him and note every time he winced or let out a little exhausted breath.

To his credit, he let her. She knew it must’ve been a little strange to have someone staring while he bathed. But he didn’t ask her to stop.

Although eventually he did ask, “What are you doing?”

“Getting used to you.”

“How so?”

She lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I’ve never been around so many trolls. I’m getting used to it, I guess. The more I look at you, the less strange you become.”

“You find me strange?”

“Well, you aren’t human.”

He gave her an unimpressed look. “And I’m glad for that.”

Maia grinned. “I knew you would say that.”

He shook his head at her, clearly unimpressed at her grin. But she swore his lips twitched a little, too.

Soon enough, he was finished, and the water was getting colder. The moment Ragnar placed his hands on the side of the tub, she jolted to her feet and held out the towels. “I’ll let you dry off.”

She was running away from what would be revealed when he stood. She didn’t want to know what he looked like naked just yet, or to gawk at what she was certain to be terrifying. And right now didn’t feel like the time for her to look her fill. Not after everything they’d just gone through.

Darting back into the room, she got back underneath the covers and yanked them up to her chin. She even rolled so her back was to the bathroom door, just so she wouldn’t know when he left. He’d never slept in the same bed as her. Tonight that wouldn’t change. If she saw him leaving, Maia feared she would beg him to stay.

But soon, she felt the mattress dip underneath his weight. Like he’d put a knee on the edge and then thought better of it. Because then that weight was gone for only a moment before the covers lifted.

A warm body tucked into the bed with her, and then an even warmer hand palmed her waist. She wasn’t sure what was happening until he dragged her back against his muscular, broad chest. Ragnar took a deep breath, those muscles shifting along his ribs before he heaved a sigh that stirred her hair.

“What are you doing?” she whispered.

“Hush, my wife. I need to remember that something is alive tonight.”

“Oh.”

That hand on her waist moved up her chest, landing on her ribs. His fingers curved under her left breast. Maia held her breath, wondering if he would do more, but then she realized he was falling asleep.

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