Page 83 of Taming Ivy
Sebastian pounced on her weakness. "I'm sure. Very sure.”
Ivy contemplated the intimacy of such an act. Taking another nervous sip of tea, the cup rattled against the delicate saucer when she lowered it. "I’m sure there aren’t nearly enough towels...”
“The room is well stocked and your toiletry items are already in there,” he interrupted. “Now, let’s fill the tub, shall we?”
Taking the cup and saucer from her, he pulled back the coverlet. Ivy heard his low groan. The thinnest of white satin ribbons held the bodice of her flimsy white gown closed while the sleeves billowed full and luxurious before narrowing to tiny circles around her wrists. However, those charming details did not hold Sebastian’s attention. During the night, the length of the gown had twisted around her thighs, and now, her legs flashed in the dim morning light. Ivy hastily yanked the fabric down and scrambled from the bed, ignoring the hand he held out to assist her.
Her bare feet did not make a sound as she passed from the soft Aubusson rug to the gleaming hardwood floor, her toes curling slightly against the chill. She followed Sebastian silently, reconsidering the situation.
Once inside the large bathing room, Sebastian twisted a spigot, and a few moments later, hot water began filling the tub. While Ivy stood awkwardly waiting, steam rose in curling tendrils of vapor to drift lazily in the cool air. She studied the room as the bath was drawn. Wallpapered in a pleasingly masculine style of dark and light green horizontal stripes, the cream toned furnishing provided an elegant accent. A bank of floor to ceiling windows occupied much of the largest wall opposite of the tub, with cream-colored drapes pulled open to reveal the scenery. Next to the tub was a heavily carved bench as well as a step stool to aid with getting in and out. Creamy white porcelain pitchers lined the bottom shelf of a washstand and an oversized armoire contained armloads of fresh towels and an assortment of soaps, oils, and sponges.
Sebastian filled the pitchers with water, lining them beside the tub. After rummaging around in the armoire, he produced a small vial of bath powder and poured a tiny bit into the tub. It foamed with the agitation of the water.
The frothy puffs fascinated Ivy, the scent of lilies perfuming the air. "I did not know it would do that.”
Sebastian knelt before the marble fireplace. Soon a cheery little blaze burned, chasing away the slight chill of the room. "It only requires the agitation of the water hitting the powder to make the bubbles. It still softens the skin but I believe you will enjoy this immensely.”
A bar of lily-scented soap, two huge soft bath towels and a tan colored sponge were set within reach of the tub. Sebastian closed the faucets.
"Milady, your bath awaits you.” He gave her a courtly bow.
Wrapping her arms around herself, hiding within the folds of her nightgown, Ivy chewed her bottom lip. She could not disrobe before him. A gleam of banked desire lurked in his eyes - it hardly seemed wise to remove her clothing when he looked at her so hungrily.
Sebastian grinned in sudden understanding, nodding toward the decorative screen in the corner. Beautifully painted, a woodland scene spread across its three panels. A group of scarlet clad lords on horseback, along with a pack of lean hounds, raced across one scene, a section of woods and fields occupied the middle scene, and in the last panel, a petite red fox looked back at its pursuers, mouth open as if panting in distress.
Ivy felt a shared kinship with the unfortunate creature.
"You may disrobe behind that. If the bubbles are not enough protection, you may pull a towel in along with you.” His eyes slid over her, warm and appreciative. "And should it please you, I will help you wash your hair.”
Sebastian pointed her toward the screen, giving her rump a little slap and ignoring her small “Oh!” of surprise.
"Better hurry,” he drawled. "Wouldn’t want the water to get cold. Or even worse, from your point of view that is, for the bubbles to subside.”
Rubbing the slight sting on her posterior, Ivy hurried behind the screen, taking a towel with her. Whipping the nightgown off, she wrapped the towel tight around her then rushed to the tub, scrambling over its side. Tossing the towel aside, she eased into the fluffy bubbles and once safely submerged to the tops of her breasts, she looked at him.
Sebastian stood with his back to her, arms crossed, bare legs exposed from mid-calf down. The robe stretched across the width of his muscled back.
"You may turn around.” Ivy sank lower into the water as Sebastian pivoted, his eyes meeting hers over the rim of the tub. Pulling the fat braid of her hair over one shoulder, she tugged at the end of it. "This is quite extraordinary. You may never get me out of here.”
Coming closer, his grin turned wicked when she sank even further into the water’s depths, up to her collarbone. Her cheeks flamed with heat. Thank God for the bath powders. Mounds of sudsy bubbles concealed her body from his stare.
"Once it is mutually agreed I should join you, I may not let you out.” Sebastian walked behind the tub, and taking her braid in his hands, he untied the bit of ribbon.
"I don't believe the scent of lilies would be to your liking.” Ivy tensed as he deftly unraveled the plait.
"I'll take the risk.” Gathering up the whole mass of her hair, Sebastian raked his hands through it. From her forehead to her temples, his fingers massaged her scalp as he gently, but firmly pulled the hair away from her face. Ivy closed her eyes at the pleasurable sensation then frowned when his hands dropped. He bent to fetch two of the pitchers.
“Lean your head back,” he instructed, pouring the water over her hair until it was thoroughly drenched. Picking up the bar of soap, he worked it into a luxurious lather, his hands plunging again and again until her hair was a soapy mass.
It was a luxurious experience, the feel of his fingers scrubbing and massaging, the hot silkiness of the water lapping at her skin, the soft foaminess of the bubbles caressing her flesh. Sebastian looped her hair through his hands, swirling the slippery profusion of it around her head. At one point, he chuckled softly.
When Ivy peeked at him over her shoulder, he shrugged. "I'm not sure how you manage all this by yourself.”
Her answer stuck in her throat. The sweetness of Sebastian undertaking such a mundane task was heart-stopping. What would this do to his ruthless reputation if word leaked out? His robe was open almost to his waist, revealing golden skin and sinewy muscles. His male beauty was difficult to ignore. Ivy’s skin tingled. The entire experience was luxurious, sensual and uncomfortable all at the same time and undoubtedly, he planned it that way. The way his fingers slid through her hair - similar, but not quite the same, as when they glided over her body, tracing her curves, dipping into hollows and skimming over sensitive places aching to be touched.
Ivy sensed his hesitation when his hands drifted to either side of her neck, the long fingers massaging those muscles and the tops of her shoulders until she trembled.
With a faint noise of frustration, Sebastian resumed the task of washing her hair with a brisk efficiency. When it was time to rinse, he took the last of the pitchers, pouring them one by one over her head to flush the suds away.
