His smile nearly split his face in two.
We ate quietly, simply enjoying each other’s company for a few minutes. I was hungrier than I’d thought, and I quickly ate my first two pieces and enjoyed a third slice of pepperoni after that. Finally, I savored some of the garlic bread while sipping on my glass of wine.
When we were finished, I followed him upstairs to his master bathroom. He started running the water in the extravagantly large bathtub. He sat on the side for a short bit to test the temperature before he was happy with it. I watched as he poured a few things into it. After he was done, he shuffled me back into the bedroom.
Slowly, he turned me around so that I faced away from him, tracing his fingertips along my neck. I shivered.
I reminded myself again to not get attached to this man. That I couldn’t love him.
Again, I lied to myself, knowing that this had already gone too far.
I’d find the strength eventually to end it… but not tonight.
His hands slid down my sides, grasping the hem of my t-shirt and lifting it over my head. With skillful fingers, he unclasped my bra and slowly trailed the straps down my shoulders. With a bit more prodding, it fell to the floor and left my breasts entirely bare. I shivered at the feeling.
My nipples visibly hardened as he brushed his palms over them. Heated sensation spiraled through me as he continued downward and pushed the skirt around my waist past my hips. It fell to the floor, leaving the rest of me bare expect for the ballet flats on my feet.
He knelt down and lifted one foot. I braced against him as he removed one shoe and then the other, leaving me entirely naked with nothing but his dried seed between my thighs.
“Wait here while I finish preparing your bath. You may kneel, relax on the bed, or whatever you like, but you’re not allowed to dress,” he said as he stood back up and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
“Yes, sir,” I whispered, and I felt him smile against me. He lifted my chin and kissed me sweetly, making my heart flutter anew.
This man was going to be the death of me.
He walked back into the bathroom and shut the door behind him. I stood there a moment before moving to take a seat on the bed. After the events of this afternoon, I should have been afraid, but his calm energy had sapped every ounce of fear out of my system.
He had shown that he was more than capable, but I still wondered if it would be enough against the Russians and especially my father’s people. My father was tenacious like no other, especially when matters of his own pride were at stake. I’d seen it time and time again and it always ended the same way.
With death…
The longer I stayed with James, the more I was putting him in danger. My father was going to figure out that he was protecting me sooner or later and I couldn’t bear the thought of him winding up dead just like my mother.
The door opened and James beckoned for me. I went to him, smiling to cover up my rising concerns about his safety.
The moment I walked into the bathroom with him, I gasped. The lights had dimmed, and the luxurious scent of lavender and vanilla swirled around the room. There were several flickering candles lit all around the room. The bathtub was full of bubbles and covered with oil-soaked rose petals. He offered me a hand. I balanced against him as I dipped a toe into the water.
It was perfect.
This was easily one of the most romantic things I could have ever imagined. As I slid into the water, he steadied me. Once most of my body was surrounded by the luxuriously prepared bathwater, I laid back against the head pillow behind me.
He placed a stemless glass full of red wine next to me.
“I want you to relax, angel. There is a tablet beside you where you can read a book or turn on the music system or even watch a movie. I’m only going to be a few rooms away while I get some work done, then I’ll be back to come put you to bed,” he explained.
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you,” I replied shyly.
“You don’t need to say anything at all, sweet girl. Just enjoy yourself and I’ll be back shortly,” he assured me, and I nodded, sighing as I leaned back. He kissed the top of my head before striding out of the bathroom, leaving me alone to live in the lap of luxury.
I sipped on the glass of wine first. After relaxing for a little while, I picked up the tablet and found a contemporary-style violinist to enjoy. I decided not to read or watch a movie, just wanting to enjoy the soothing waters of a warm bath for the first time in a long time.
I lost myself in the music for a while before I washed and conditioned my hair. I scrubbed my body gently, delighting in the soreness of my spent muscles and the soft ache between my thighs. I used a soft exfoliating towel all over, and when I was done, I leaned back and just soaked.
I thought about James for much of that time.
Eventually, he returned. He held up an enormous towel and helped me to climb out. He wrapped me in the plush fabric, drying me off carefully. He insisted on combing my hair out for me as I brushed my teeth.
He didn’t offer me any pajamas and I didn’t ask.