Page 65 of Laird of Smoke
One by one, Eve picked up the vials on the table to sniff at their contents.It seemed cruel to make Adam bathe in water scented by flowers.So she chose one with a warm and spicy scent.
As she poured the oil into the steaming water, Adam let out an audible yawn that was definitely forced.
“I fear my eyes grow weary,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and pulling off his boots.“Wake me when ye’re done, aye?”
She saw through his ruse.He was trying to be chivalrous.Standing guard over her while assuring her he’d keep his eyes closed.It was an honorable gesture.
Why then did she feel a twinge of disappointment?
Why did she half hope he’d steal a glance at her through the velvet curtains?
What was wrong with her?
After all, he’d said it himself.They needed to keep their wits about them.
True to his word, he climbed atop the coverlet, stretched out on the bed, and closed his eyes.One hand reached up to loosen the tie around the curtain, and the velvet folds fell to obscure his view.
With a shuddering sigh, Eve proceeded with her bath.She pulled off her shoes and hose.She removed her gown, draping it carefully over a chair.In the convent, she was expected to bathe in her leine for decency’s sake.Here, she wasn’t required to be so modest.Still, she took one precautionary glance toward the bed to be sure he wasn’t sneaking a peek.
From behind the curtain, she could hear the soft sawing of his breath.He must be deep in slumber.
In one hasty movement, she slipped out of her leine and sank into the tub.
Then she let out a long sigh.
The water was heavenly.Hot.Fragrant.Soothing.
She’d have to be brief, of course.Despite her threats, it would be unfair to leave Adam with a chilled bath.
But for the moment, she rested her head against the padded wooden edge of the tub and closed her eyes, relishing the warm waves that eased her body and calmed her thoughts.
Feigning sleep was nothing new for Adam.He’d done it all the time as a lad when he’d returned late to Rivenloch after a midnight excursion.Later he’d learned it was a good way to either avoid difficult conversations or to listen in on secret conversations.
Now, however, he was having a hard time keeping his breathing slow and steady.
Though it would be easy enough to spy on her from the shadows of the bed, he’d vowed he would not.And he was a man of honor.
But bloody hell.Just the sweet smell of the bath oil, knowing it would cling to her skin and scent her all evening, made his nostrils flare.The sound of her entering the bath—her soft sigh, the light plash of the water as she moved the wet linen over her body…
His mind created a vision so intoxicating it made his breath quicken.His heart pounded.His blood surged.He didn’t even want to think about what was happening between his thighs.
Eventually he heard her rise out of the tub.Heard the sluice of the water over her glistening body.He envisioned drops rolling down her smooth shoulders and over her creamy breasts.Trickling toward the rosy tips of her chilled nipples.
His eyes sprung open, staring unseeing at the bed’s canopy.
Lord, his loins ached.
And he wondered how he was ever going to cool his blood enough to emerge safely from this velvet refuge.
He didn’t have long to wonder.
In spite of her promises, she’d taken a notably brief bath, briefer even than his sister Feiyan, who hated wasting time she could be sparring by soaking in a tub.
That meant he had to stop imagining Aillenn naked.Soon.
The feat was nigh impossible when she neared the bed and he could smell the sweet spice of her damp body.
“Adam,” she called softly.
