Page 23 of Surviving Her

Eliza smiled, sat down on the dusty sofa, and allowed herself to enjoy the sight of River moving around the room, her every action filled with quiet purpose. There was strength in River’s movements, and a calm assurance that made Eliza feel safe in a way she hadn’t felt in a long time.

River rummaged through one of the old kitchen cabinets and emerged with a small bar of soap that she held up with a grin. “I knew it! I found some soap. I’m not sure how good it is after all these years, but I reckon it should do the trick.”

Eliza chuckled, her heart lifting at the sight of River’s playful expression. “It’ll be perfect,” she agreed.

River set the soap aside for the moment, focusing on pouring the heated water into the tub. Steam rose in lazy tendrils as the hot water mixed with the cold well water, creating a swirling pool of warmth. River took her time, dipping her elbow in the water to make sure the temperature was just right, before finally picking up the soap and rubbing it between her hands, working it into a thick lather. She let the soap fall into the water, swirling it around with her hand until the surface was covered in a layer of frothy bubbles.

Eliza gasped. “Wow. It’s such a simple thing, a bath, but right now, that looks better than anything I’ve ever imagined.”

River straightened up, wiping her hands on her pants before turning to Eliza with a satisfied smile. “All done. Ready when you are.”

Eliza nodded, already starting to unbutton the shirt she’d picked up at the laundromat. “Thank you so much. This is…it’s exactly what I needed.”

River flashed her a gentle smile, a hint of something in her eyes that made Eliza’s pulse quicken. “You deserve it,” River said quietly. “Honestly, you’ve no idea how grateful I am to you.”

Eliza hesitated, her hands pausing on the buttons of her shirt. “Listen, I’ll make it real quick so you can have a turn too,” she offered. “I don’t want to hog it all evening.”

But River stepped closer, her gaze holding Eliza’s with an intensity that made her heart flutter. “Or,” she suggested, her voice dropping to a low, husky tone, “we could share.”

Eliza’s heart thudded in her chest. The idea of sharing the bath with River, of being that close to her, sent a thrill through her that she couldn’t quite suppress.

What’s going on here? What is she suggesting? And why am I about to agree to this?

Eliza could clearly read the intent in the younger woman’s eyes. She felt her nerves melt away, replaced by a growing sense of excitement.

“Share?” Eliza echoed, her voice barely more than a whisper.

River nodded as she reached out to gently brush her fingers along Eliza’s jawline. “The tub is big enough for both of us, and it would save me having to heat a load of water again. I think the two of us could slip into the water and…get cozy for a while. What do you say? I can keep my undies on if you don’t dig the naked thing.”

Eliza didn’t know what to think. The buzz she’d felt like a surge of electricity when River touched her had sent her into a state of confusion. The scent of lavender from the bubbles and the soft glow of the fire all combined to create a heady mix of sensations that made her want to say yes to anything River suggested.

“I think…that sounds perfect. And I don’t mind naked,” Eliza finally replied, her voice trembling.

With that, River stepped back, giving Eliza space to finish undressing. Eliza’s movements were slow and deliberate, her fingers fumbling slightly as she shed her clothes. When she was finally bare, she glanced over at River, who was watching her with an expression that sent a shiver of desire through her.

River quickly removed her own clothes, her eyes not once leaving Eliza’s. The sight of River’s firm, lean body made Eliza’s mouth go dry, and she had to force herself to breathe as River took her hand and guided her to the tub.

The warmth of the water enveloped them as they stepped in together, the bubbles clinging to their skin as they settled into the bath’s comforting embrace. Eliza leaned back against the cool metal of the tub, the tension in her muscles melting away as the heat soaked into her bones.

Oh, wow. This is amazing.

River’s hand found hers under the water, their fingers intertwining as they sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Eliza closed her eyes, but she could still feel River’s gaze on her. It was like a sixth sense. When she opened her eyes again and looked up, she found River watching her with such an intense, unspoken emotion that it took her breath away.

“You’re honestly gorgeous. I think you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever met, inside and out,” River said, her voice soft and gentle, almost hesitant.

A blush rose to Eliza’s cheeks as she smiled shyly. “I never thought I’d say this, but…so are you, River. You’re so pretty…so cute…you’re lovely,” she whispered, her free hand reaching up to touch River’s face, her fingers brushing lightly over her skin.

River leaned into the touch, her eyes closing briefly as if savoring every precious second of what was happening between them. When she opened them again, there was something more profound, more urgent in the way she looked at Eliza. Without another word, she leaned forward, her lips capturing Eliza’s in a kiss that was soft at first, but quickly deepened into something more passionate and primal.

The entire room faded away as they lost themselves in each other, the bath becoming a cocoon of intimacy. River’s hands roamed over Eliza’s body, her touch leaving trails of fire in its wake. The water rippled around them as they moved closer, their bodies pressing together in a dance that felt inevitable.

I need to stop this…I don’t want to stop this.

Eliza looked straight into River’s eyes as she pulled back and gasped for breath. “River, I?—”

But before she could finish, River’s hand slipped under the water and brushed gently across Eliza’s labia. She knew exactly what she wanted. The touch sent a jolt through Eliza, her nipples hardening immediately. Without thinking, she leaned in, her lips meeting River’s in a kiss that was urgent with her unspokendesire for this vibrant and charming soul. She didn’t know if she should stop, but this was the best thing she’d felt in days, maybe even years.

The kiss was a catalyst, igniting something that Eliza knew had been smoldering between them for days. Eliza’s fingers traced the lines of River’s athletic form as she pressed her clit against River’s fingers, the water sloshing around them as they moved. River’s other hand roamed over Eliza’s back, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them.

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