Page 66 of Crimson Born

Now it was my turn.

As Reece knelt before the hearth loading logs into the fireplace, I stepped into my closet and took off my wet clothing.

Instead of selecting a new outfit, I reached for my robe. It was long and warm and when cinched tightly, it covered my entire body neck to toe.

I did not cinch it tightly.

I left the closet with it loosely draped around me so the opening in front split to reveal my legs when I walked, and the neckline plunged dangerously.

Reece didn’t notice at first. He was too busy getting the kindling going beneath the logs. When they were crackling, I stepped close to the fireplace—and to Reece.

“Feels good,” I said. “Thank you.”

He glanced up almost absentmindedly. “You’re wel—”

Popping to his feet, he let his gaze travel from my face down the front of my body to my bare legs and feet then back up again. He cleared his throat, swinging his eyes back to the fireplace, which was blazing now with light and heat.

“You should... put something on. It’s going to take a while for the room to get warm.”

“I’m fine in this,” I said, making my tone blasé. “It’s a warm robe.”

“Yeah, okay,” he said stiffly, sounding uncomfortable. “Well, I should go now and let you get some sleep.”

He turned to leave, but I said, “Wait.”

Dropping the robe from one shoulder, I turned my back to him.

“I’ve got a kink in my neck from hunching over in that cave for so long. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep. Would you mind rubbing it for a minute?”

Our shadows danced on the wall in the firelight, though both of us were standing unnaturally still.

I wasn’t sure about Reece, but I was literally holding my breath.

When he spoke, I could tell he hadn’t been breathing well either. “I think that’s a bit... beyond the scope of my bodyguard duties.”

Still facing away from him, I gave it one last shot. “The Bloodbound are supposedly willing to die for their queen—and her daughter. Is a teensy little shoulder rub really that much to ask?”

After a few more moments of stillness, his shadow moved in halting steps toward mine. The two shadows melted into each other, and I felt his hands on my exposed skin.

Though I’d lied about the kink in my neck, the massage actually felt amazing. It was the first one I’d ever had.

Amish people didn’t indulge in expensive spa treatments or even bubble baths for relaxation, but suddenly I understood the allure.

Although, I wouldn’t call this experience exactly “relaxing.” Every cell in my body was wide awake and reacting to Reece’s touch.

It seemed to be affecting him too. As his fingers kneaded the muscles in my shoulder then moved up to my neck, I could hear his breathing accelerate and feel its hot, shallow strikes on my nape.

It’s working. I think.

Was this the time to turn around and kiss him? I had zero experience, but it seemed like all the signs were there.

Moving very slowly, I shifted to face Reece. His eyes met mine then dropped to my lips. There was definitely heat in them that had nothing to do with the nearby fireplace. His breaths fell on my lips too, teasing them to part.

Charged with a peculiar sort of energy I’d never felt before, I looked up at him and willed him to dip his head and press his mouth to mine. My heart hammered as his face lowered toward me.

And then he was gone.

He stood on the other side of the room near the door, breathing hard. His eyes blazed with a look that was halfway between danger and desire. His hands clenched, and his fangs were fully extended.

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