Page 24 of Savage Knight
“Too busy creating his empire?”
“He’s been driven his whole life, and raising five stepsiblings didn’t leave much room for softness.”
“You’re very lucky you had him in your corner.”
“I am,” he agreed.“I remember Aera giving him hell, acting out.Either drunk or stoned most of the time.Saxon had serial killer tendencies.And he tried hard to get Georgie and Cricket off the drugs, but you can’t help someone who doesn’t want help.He eventually had to walk away, and I think that ate at him.Made him feel like a failure.”
“But he’s accomplished so much.”
“So much is never enough.”Evren shook his head, as if clearing his thoughts.“He’s gruff because he’s had responsibility riding on his shoulders when no kid should have to be a grown-up.Sometimes he doesn’t know how to word things, but he doesn’t hate you.”
She leaned back and closed her eyes.“As long as he doesn’t force me to go back to Scias, we’re all good.”
Conversation died as she relaxed into the briny mud.She never thought soaking in a tub of goo would be soothing, but here she was, living the life.
After the mud bath, Ginger helped her shower off and then handed her a long, white formless sheath to wear.The thing had virgin sacrifice written all over it, but she put it on and entered another room where two massage beds were placed next to each other.Soft, relaxing music filled the room.A woman helped her remove her dress and lay face-down on the bed.Lowen positioned her face in the round circle which allowed her to breathe, and a warm blanket was draped over her body.Although she couldn’t see him, Evren joined her on the next bed, and her mind went right to the fact that he was just as naked as she was.Then all thoughts were wiped away when the lights dimmed and oiled hands began to knead her muscles.All her tension drained away under the expertise of the masseuse, leaving her to float in the relaxed void of nothingness.No thoughts.No fears.She turned into one big pile of goo.
After the massage, large, warm stones were placed along her spine.It wasn’t long until she dozed, lulled to sleep by the ambient mood.It could’ve been minutes or hours, but eventually she was brought back to awareness when the stones were removed.She was helped to sit up, only noticing then that Evren was gone.
She slipped back into the shapeless dress so she could return to the women’s room, where she took it off and stepped into the Roman bath.What a vastly different life compared to her old one.Eventually, there would be a time when shadows didn’t make her flinch.When hearing a man’s raised voice didn’t send her tumbling into a panic attack.One day, but not today.
Lowen slathered on moisturizer before dressing, and when she entered the lobby, Ginger and Evren waited.The kind woman handed her a bag.
“This is a little something to help you remember to pamper yourself whenever you need to.”
“Thank you,” Lowen said, moved.She’d never gotten a present before, not on her birthday or Christmas.Her father always thought holidays were a waste of money.
They said their goodbyes and then Evren led her back to the hidden hallway.
****
Later that night, Lowenstood in the private viewing box, watching some band on the stage below.Apparently, they were an up-and-coming group, and she had to admit she liked their music.It also didn’t hurt that they were some of the most gorgeous men she’d ever seen.
After, she and Evren returned to his apartment and the music still buzzed through her head.It had been one of the best days of her life ...inbothher lives.
“Good night, Lowen,” he said.
She looked up at him, and for a moment, she thought he would kiss her.Did she want his kiss?Absolutely.Did he want to kiss her?She had no clue.What did he think of her?Did he think she was crazy?Truthful?Worth it?Sexy?Did she want him to think she was sexy?Her gaze landed on his lips and she waited, breath hitching in her chest as anticipation caused her heart to speed up.
What was wrong with her?She hated sex.Didn’t she?Or did she just hate Scias?Well, she definitely hated Scias, but surely the romance books couldn’t be wrong.Right?God, she was so confused.Trying to scrub the riotous thoughts from her head, she focused on Evren.His beautiful eyes.His sensual mouth.The kindness in his gaze.Men could be cold, hateful.They used their strength against the weak to abuse.Torture.Dole out punishment even when it wasn’t needed.She had no doubt Evren Genier could do the same, be just as brutal and hateful as Scias, but there was one difference.He looked at her with tenderness, like she was spun glass.Fragile.Something to treasure and hold carefully in the palm of his hand.
And then...
He pulled back.
Disappointment flooded her, but maybe it was the right thing to do.At least, for now.
“See you in the morning.”
“Good night,” she murmured.She went to her bedroom and shut the door.
