Page 91 of Raising Hell
“There really is no convincing you,” I murmured, tucking myself against his chest again.
I’d tried not thinking about what would happen to the world when I finally surrendered and he sent me home. Instead, I focused on what would happen to me. I’d be right back where I started. Lonely and in constant danger. And how much would I miss him?
“What if I didn’t go back?” I asked without thinking.
“I don’t understand.”
“If we reach the end of the ten days we agreed on, and you get your payment like you want, what if I don’t want to go home? What if I want to stay here?”
He didn’t move or breathe for several heartbeats. Then he started to shake.
“Stop this,” he begged. “Use a knife. Burn me. Peel my flesh. But do not torture me with what will never be.”
“Shh,” I soothed, tipping my head so I could kiss his chest. “I’ll stop. Never mind. We don’t have to talk about this.”
He held me tighter, and I stroked a hand over his side, wondering how I could undo the damage done by my simple question. No, by my unrealistic fantasy.
“Why don’t we try bathing for real this time?” I asked. “Remember how I scrubbed your back? You liked that, right? Let’s do that again.”
His ragged breathing slowed, and he nuzzled my hair.
“Yes, you can use your brush on my skin until I bleed just as you like,” he said, proving just how far he’d fallen into the past.
“No, I would rather use a brush to tease you just as you like, and you can remain blood free just as I, Ashlyn, like.”
“Stubborn goddess,” he muttered before pulling away from me.
My shyness returned when he stood, hiding none of his want from me, and offered me a hand up. I tried to keep my eyes on his, but it was nearly impossible not to glimpse at what so insistently wanted to be noticed.
Rather than jumping into the water, we used the stairs to enter the pool, and I gratefully sank to my shoulders while inspecting the wicked-looking brushes that waited on the nearby ledge. I tested all of them and shook my head.
“Softer, please.”
Those disappeared, and another set appeared. I rubbed the softest of those against my arm, and it immediately turned bright red.
He tsked and plucked it from my hold.
“Those are not meant for you.”
“Then show me one that is meant for me.”
The brush that appeared was perfect. Just a hint of stiffness that didn’t leave the skin immediately red but still felt like it was scrubbing.
“Sit on the steps,” I directed as I stood.
His gaze immediately went to my chest.
“Close your eyes, and just focus on relaxing,” I said.
I didn’t miss his suspicious glance before he closed his eyes.
“The worst I’ve done to you is run away and push you into a pool. There’s no need to be suspicious.”
“You’ve done far worse.”
It felt like we were starting all over again. I wasn’t sure if it was still because of my question or if it was the conversation with Megan or the lapse he’d had in the throne room.
“No, I haven’t done anything far worse,” I said. “Persephone has. Now be quiet.”
