Page 34 of Vampire Blood

She rolled her eyes, her smile widening just a little. “Liar. I’m dying for a bath.”

A laugh escaped me, sharp and unexpected, breaking through the tension that had coiled inside me for days. “You’re not dying.” I brushed my thumb over her cheek, softer this time. “But you are getting a bath.”

Her brows lifted. “In here?”

I smirked. “Don’t move.”

I left her there, slipping out the door before she could protest. It didn’t take long to find what I needed. Callum, still lingering near the gates, called for help, and within minutes, a tub was hauled inside the cottage. Heavy iron, wide enough to fit her comfortably.

The men set it near the fire while I fetched buckets of hot water, the heat steaming against the cool air. My muscles burned, but I didn’t stop until it was filled almost to the brim. The scent of herbs drifted through the room, lavender, mint, and chamomile. Soothing and sharp all at once.

Once we were alone again, Annika watched me from the bed, her lips parted, her gaze softening as I knelt beside the tub and tested the water.

“Perfect,” I said, then turned to her. “Come here.”

She pushed herself up slowly, wincing, but I was there before she could fall, scooping her up again.

“Lucas,” she protested weakly.

“Don’t argue,” I muttered, carrying her to the tub.

I set her down beside it, steadying her as she reached for the edge. She wobbled, but my hands stayed firm on her waist. She looked up at me, her eyes searching mine.

I knelt beside the tub, the heat from the water curling against my skin, but it was nothing compared to the warmth radiating from her. My fingers went to the edge of her dress, the fabric torn and stained, clinging to her skin like a reminder of what she’d been through. Gently, I lifted it, peeling it away inch by inch. She shivered, though whether from the cold or my touch, I couldn’t tell.

I paused, my gaze sweeping over her as the fabric slipped lower. I could see pale skin marred with faint bruises and scratches. Marks that shouldn’t have been there. Marks that made something inside me burn.

“You’re beautiful,” I said, my voice rougher than I intended.

Her lips parted, her breath catching, but she didn’t look away.

I pushed the dress the rest of the way down, letting it pool at her feet, leaving her bare in the firelight. My eyes traced the curve of her shoulders, the slope of her collarbone, the soft swell of her breasts. I wanted to memorize every inch of her, not just for how perfect she was but for the strength she carried. Even now, fragile but unbroken.

She crossed her arms, instinctively covering herself. I caught her wrists, pulling them gently away.

“Don’t,” I murmured. “Don’t hide from me.”

Her eyes searched mine, unsure, but then her arms fell to her sides, leaving her exposed. Vulnerable. But she wasn’t afraid.

I reached out, trailing my fingers down her arm, over her bruises, as if my touch could erase them. She leaned into it, her skin warm beneath my hand. Her breath shuddered as I traced the lines of her ribs and the curve of her waist.

“You’re staring,” she whispered.

“I can’t help it.” My voice was low, raw. “You’re perfect, Annika.”

Chapter Eleven

Annika

“I thought I lost you,” I heard him say again.

My eyes locked onto his. “You didn’t.”

“I won’t… ever,” he whispered.

I felt as if it were the first time in days I was able to breathe.

He took me by the hand and gently led me into the tub. The heat of the water wrapped around me, sinking into my skin, soothing the ache in my muscles. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, my body finally releasing the tension that had gripped it for days.

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