Page 82 of The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior

“Are you saying you can’t keep your hands to yourself?”

“My hands, yes. Other parts might get a little more excited.”

“I told you I didn’t mind that,” Brannal said mildly. “Unless you’d prefer not.”

Perian said, “No, that’s fine.”

He hoped it was fine. He’d never pressure Brannal deliberately, but he didn’t want toinadvertentlypressure him either. But he’d made his preference clear, and one or the other of them could always get out of the water and try again later if needed.

Perian stripped off, and Brannal did the same. He tried not to stare too much. He was going to see Brannal naked in the bath, and he’d seen him naked before, but it still felt a bit different, the first time they’d been totally naked together since the night that sex had gone wrong.

Perian got the bath started, and a few minutes later, they climbed into the tub. They were both aroused, but it wasn’t like arousal automatically meant they had to do anything about it.

“How about you lean against me this time,” Brannal suggested.

Perian happily complied, eager to do anything to ensure Brannal stayed comfortable. Perian could feel Brannal’s cock pressed up against his ass, which would be even nicer if they were going to do something about it, but Brannal didn’t seem self-conscious, at least. And this way, Brannal didn’t have to feel Perian’s cock, which hopefully put him at ease.

Leaning back on Brannal’s chest, Perian relaxed in the water.

“You don’t wear one.”

It took a moment for Perian to realize Brannal was indicating the talisman bag he’d taken off before getting into the bath. They were filled with earth, so they didn’t mix well with water.

“No,” he agreed. “I know most people do. But my father always used to say the nightmares were meant to keep the nightmares away, and we had nothing to fear from them as far out as we were.”

Brannal was silent for a moment. “And did you always have good dreams?”

Perian huffed a laugh. “You know, I always did. I don’t remember a single bad one, except right after my father died. That one was a nightmare for sure.”

Fire and screaming and so much smoke… Yes, it had definitely been a nightmare.

Brannal’s hand pressed against his chest, a warm and soothing weight over his heart.

“I’m sorry.”

Perian swallowed. “Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “I just never got in the habit, even after he died. Didn’t see a reason to change, I suppose.”

“And no more nightmares?”

Perian shook his head. “No.”

“Then it seems like you’re doing something right.”

Perian could only hope so.

“Let’s get rid of that horse smell,” Brannal finally said.

They soaped up and scrubbed themselves clean. They kept their hands to themselves, which wasn’t quite as fun but which respected Brannal’s limits. Once they were clean, Brannal urged Perian to lean back against him again. He wrapped an arm around him.

“Is this all right?” he murmured against Perian’s hair.

“Very all right,” Perian responded.

They might not have sex, but there still seemed to be this closeness, and that meant a lot to Perian. He stayed cradled against Brannal and basked in the hot water and the company. Perian was very glad Brannal had suggested it. But both of their stomachs were making periodic rumbling noises of hunger.

Eventually, Brannal sighed. “Dinner is probably out there.”

“Very true. Although we could eat it cold.”

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