Page 48 of A Trial of the Heart

“I don’t think anything we just did was proper.” I laughed.

“Just wait, my Spitfire. Wait until I show youallthe improper things I want to do with that fiery little mouth and soaked pussy of yours.”

“I’m always up for a challenge,” I said. “Especially when the reward is this sweet.”

“I’m far from sweet,” he said with a low growl. “But you seem to be my exception.”

I laughed softly and happily reclined in his lap. The smell of his scent became intoxicating as it drifted over my senses, somehow slightly different from before. Dax noticed my shift and adjusted his hold on me. “Something on your mind?”

“Always.” I flashed him a coy grin.

“Fair enough,” he chuckled. “Whatison your mind then?”

“Well, I did promise you a bath,” I said, looking toward the tub, which was still steaming with fresh warm water. “It would be a shame to allow it to go to waste.”

“Indeed, it would. What did you have in mind?”

“Join me,” I said. “This time,you’reallowed to peek.”

Dax smiled, his saccharine grin exposing the dimple on his cheek that I coveted and always craved to see. “All right. After you.”

I eagerly stepped into the tub, leaving room for Daxton to slip in behind me. The warm water seeped into the pores of my skin as I leaned back into the strong embrace of Daxton’s steady arms. We bathed in silence, enjoying the quiet intimate moments while we helpedclean one another. After a while, the water cooled, but I still didn’t want to leave.

“Your skin is pruning,” Dax said.

“I know.” I sighed. “I don’t want to get out just yet. A few more minutes.”

“Very well.” He pulled me against his chest and tenderly kissed mybrow before finding my lips once more. I sank into his touch, closing my eyes and melting further into his embrace. “Skylar?”

“Yes?” I answered.

“Tell me something about yourself.”

That question caught me off guard. “Like what?”

“Tell me about your family… about your friends. I want to know everything about your life before coming here to the Inner Kingdom.”

“What specifically?” I asked.

“Everything.”

I turned and swiftly kissed his cheek. “All right then.” I stood up and grabbed two towels for us to dry off. “We should move this to the bedroom. This could take some time, Princey. And you’ve already pointed out that my skin’s beginning to prune.”

“Happy to give you all the time I have.” Daxton smiled as he pulled the drain and dried himself off, tucking the towel securely around his waist and not missing my lingering eyes for one second.

We moved into the small bedroom—both blissfully unaware of how late it was, and frankly, we didn’t seem to care. I found a slip in a nearby dresser that hung just below my bottom as Daxton donned shorts that clung tightly to his strong thighs. I could see that Daxton was still a bit shaky, and I moved to help him relax under the covers of the small but cozy bed.

“Remind me to kick Castor’s ass for taking the larger bed in the other room,” Daxton teased, even though I knew he was serious about doing just that.

“I’m happy to help,” I said as I curled up next to him, placing my head on his chest and my leg over his.

“All right,” he said, tucking his arm around me. “Tell me about your life before the trials … beforeallof this. I want to know everything.”

I settled in close. “Long, long ago…” I chuckled, knowing my few years of life were just a mere blink in time compared to his. “I was just a baby when Magnus found me on the outskirts of Solace.”

I told him everything that night. At least everything I knew about my past, my upbringing, my family, and my friends… about my life and my pack.

He listened intently, never interrupting, only encouraging me to continue for what seemed like hours on end. I could feel my eyes begin to flutter as the late night slowly turned into the early morning.

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