Page 35 of Vampire Blood

Lucas knelt beside the tub, his sleeves rolled up, his hands steady as they trailed through the water. He was careful, gentle in a way that made my chest tighten.

His fingers brushed my shoulder, and I shivered despite the warmth.

“Too hot?” he asked, his voice low, rough in this quiet space.

I shook my head. “No. It’s perfect.”

He dipped a cloth into the water, wringing it out before trailing it over my arm. Slow, deliberate strokes, like he was afraid I might shatter under his touch.

“I’m not made of glass, you know,” I whispered.

He looked up, his dark eyes locking on mine. “You feel like it right now.”

I swallowed hard, the vulnerability in his gaze cutting through me. “But I’m not.”

His lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he focused on his task, sliding the cloth down my arm, over my wrist, and then dipping it back into the water.

The heat and his touch worked together, easing the soreness in my limbs. I leaned back, letting my head rest against the edge of the tub as he shifted closer, his hands moving to my shoulders.

His thumbs pressed gently into the knots there, and I sighed. The tension melted away beneath his touch.

“Better?” he asked.

“Mmm…” It was all I could manage.

He kept going, his hands firm but careful as they moved lower, kneading the tightness from my muscles. Every brush of his skin against mine sent ripples of heat through me, but it wasn’t just the water. It was him.

I opened my eyes, finding him watching me, his gaze unreadable.

“What?” I asked softly.

“Nothing.” He dipped the cloth into the water again, wringing it out before brushing it down my collarbone, the fabric dragging lightly over my skin. “Just… you.”

I blinked, unsure how to respond to that, but then he leaned closer, pressing a kiss to my shoulder.

“I almost feel like this is a dream,” he murmured, the words barely a breath against my skin.

“It’s not,” I whispered back, my fingers brushing over the rough edge of his unshaven beard. “I’m here. I’m safe… because of you.”

He didn’t look convinced, but he nodded, his eyes dark and shadowed as he picked up the cloth again and kept working.

I let him.

Let him care for me, let him wash away the dirt and blood and fear. Let him pour his strength into me, even as the weight of the past few days sat heavy on both of us.

When he moved lower, his hands trailing down my arms and over my ribs, I caught his wrist.

“Lucas,” I whispered.

He paused, his eyes snapping to mine.

“I love you.”

The words hung there between us, raw and bare, and for a moment, he didn’t breathe. Then his hand turned, fingers lacing with mine beneath the water.

“I love you too,” he said, his voice breaking just slightly.

Overcome by emotion, he caressed my cheek. I placed my hand over his, the warmth of our bodies intertwining. Gently, I slid his hand down my breasts. His fingers lingered on my pebbled nipples, sending tiny little electric bolts through my body. I was exhausted and beat up, but his touch never failed to awaken me, to arouse me.

---