I don't need to say more, not with Ana, and she stands and looks at me with a bland expression. The heat in my veins for her doesn't cool but I do pause at the lack of fury I expected after her walking out.
"I'm tired, show me where so I can go to bed."
I lead her up the stairs and into our room, barring the door behind us. I requested this room specifically, even paid more for it, just because it has an easy window exit. Right now, my mind isn't on exiting this room though. I turn to see Ana lighting the small lantern next to the bed. Though I'm sure this is nothing luxurious by most standards, it's significantly nicer than any bed or room I've slept in for years.
Not that I intend to sleep right now.
"Don't get into bed, there's hot water coming."
She looks at me a moment before nodding, making her way over to the window and staring down at the streets below. A moment later a knock on the door reveals several youth carrying buckets. They deposit the boiling water into the tub and wisps of steam pour off the top.
"Anything else, sir?" one of the girls asks me, her voice more confident than I'd expect for one so young. I suppose they're used to rough men in a place like this. Even with my tattoos and beard and the rest of my gruff appearance, I'm no more savage than most of the men they see.
"Bring up some food but leave it by the door. Tomorrow morning we'll need some things washed, don't disturb us until then."
The girl nods and scurries out, shutting the door behind her. I turn to see Ana is already peeling off her dirty clothes and my cock jumps in my pants. Though she hasn't kept her body wrapped like before, she still wears bandages around her as a bra and now her ribs with her injuries. I'll have to try not to hurt her too badly, but the way I'm feeling right now with the whiskey, rage, and the exhilaration of freedom… I really will have to be careful.
I lick my lips as she unwraps her chest and ribs. She moves slowly but I'm sure it's for her own benefit rather than mine. When she winces, it strikes me how strange love truly is. How one can crave someone to the depth of their soul and want to fuck them into oblivion, yet at the same time want to cherish and hold them like the most precious treasure. I want to fucking own her, but how can I when she already owns me?
She drops her pants and my breath catches in my throat for a moment. The bruises and scabs that still litter her body infuriate me but also stir something else within me. Despite, or perhaps because of, the wounds of our war together, she is more beautiful than ever.
I step forward, stumbling slightly more from the shock of her beauty than the alcohol. Her eyes widen as I approach, the crystal blue shining up at me.
My voice catches in my throat, the rasp of whiskey and emotion.
"I fucking love you."
Her lips part as my hand reaches out, gripping her jaw tightly while I take the final step up so we're only inches apart. I see her chest rise and fall faster and know I'm affecting her just as she is me. My dick jumps at the thought of being inside her, but I intend for this to last.
Still holding her face, I lean down and claim her lips without mercy, and she gives me everything I need and more. When I release her, she actually gasps and I smirk at the flush on her cheeks. My eyes glance over at the still steaming tub, and I think of our first night together. Stepping back, I grip one of her hands and hold out my other arm toward the tub.
"I offer you cleanliness," I say, much like that first night. I know she wants to be mad at me right now but between the horniness and that, the corner of her lip quirks up for a moment. I don't doubt I'll get an earful tomorrow, but that's just how we seem to work. She gets mad, I get turned on. We fuck like animals and then she still yells at me later. It just works.
Ana walks over to the tub and I don't fail to notice the subtle way she moves her hips. My eyebrow turns up and for a moment, I wonder what Ana would have been like if not for how she grew up. I fucking love this woman and all her strangeness. I love how she can fight and talk like a man. But that doesn't mean I don't wonder.
She steps in, and I see her flinch as the water hits a few tender spots. Once she's all the way in she sighs, and her shoulders drop.
"Better?" I ask as I grab a small sliver of soap and hand it to her. She smiles for real at this and I can't help but lean down to kiss her.
"Thanks, Ax," she says, her voice soft. My heart melts a bit further if that were even possible.
"It is always my pleasure,mi amour.Now let me see if they brought your dinner."
I open the door and sure enough there is a small platter with some cheeses, dates and breads as well as a jug of something. A quick sniff reveals it to be wine.
I bring the entire thing over to Ana, dragging a small side table beside the tub. My eyes look at the wine, but I decide I’d rather remember what I am about to do.
Ana stares at the food with a worried expression.
"Something wrong with the food?"
"Oh, no," she says absently, "Just I got sick earlier, but I feel fine now. I'm sure it's fine."
She grabs a piece of flatbread and relatively nibbles on the end before turning to me.
"So, care to tell me how you managed to get the money to pay for a room and food much less whiskey and clothes?"
My eyes fall to her nipple that's just barely poking out of the water. I want it in my mouth.