Page 84 of Silver Secrets

He watched a little shudder roll through her body. Her pupils were blown wide, even as a blush dusted her cheekbones.

“I like praise.” She smiled. “And I think I would like to hear what you find attractive about me.”

He heard the hesitant strain in her voice. “But?”

“I just don’t want you to feel bad when this doesn’t work.”

“We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it. Or rather, if we don’tcometo it.”

“Gage.” She rolled her eyes at his terrible joke, but her shoulders relaxed and he watched some of the tension bleed out of her body.

“I’m going to run you a bath. You’re going to soak until your muscles are relaxed and you feel warmall over. Then, I want you to get into whatever you’re going to be most comfortable in, and slide into bed.”

“What are you going to be doing while I take a bath?”

“I’ve got to get some things set up in here.”

“Set up?”

“Some candles, for light because I know you don’t want to be in the dark. That way we don’t have to count on the harsh light from the bathroom. And Mae got me one of those fancy oil diffusers for Christmas. I haven’t had a reason to break it out before now, but I remember there being some sandalwood scented something or other in there to use.”

“That’s my favorite.”

He tried not to puff his chest out at that. It was the main scent profile in the cologne he wore. “Let’s get that bath going and I’ll have this place ready in a few minutes.”

Gage walked towards the bathroom, but turned when he didn’t feel her walking behind him.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just…”

“What?”

“Could I borrow one of your shirts? To wear after my bath?”

Gage had to physically force himself not to puff out his chest and pound on it like a possessive gorilla. “Fuck yes, you can,” he growled as he stalked towards his closet and found the softest, most worn in t-shirt he had. It would likely drown her, but if that was the comfort she wanted, then he was going to give it to her.

He smiled as he handed it to her. But she took it from him with a concerned look still etched across her brow.

“What, Red?”

“Is your cologne in the bathroom? I want to spray it onto the shirt so it smells like you.”

“Fuck. Are you trying to kill me right now?”

“I’m sorry,” her face dropped. “This is great. I shouldn’t have asked.”

His fingers itched to touch her, and maybe against his better judgment, he let himself. His hand cupped her cheek while his thumb stroked over his delicate skin. “The fact that you want to smell like me while we do this is so fucking incredible, I’m trying not to think about it too much so I don’t come in my pants like a teenager, Sloane.”

* * *

The bath had been incredible, and Sloane took her time, focusing on relaxing every part of her body. But it was short lived once she slid between the sheets. Gage had set up the bedroom beautifully. There were enough candles that the main light in the bedroom and bathroom could stay off and she wouldn’t be scared. And the air around her smelled so deeply spiced with sandalwood that it felt like he was brushing up against her, tickling every nerve she had with his touch, even as he sat in the chair looking like a man about to devour his last meal.

“Lie back and close your eyes.” Gage’s command startled her. “You’re ready for this, Sloane. So, listen to what I’m saying. Lie back and close your eyes.”

She slipped down lower beneath the sheet, not missing the way Gage’s eyes followed the line of her body. Even with the covering, and wearing his shirt, she felt exposed to him. And that set the butterflies free.

Sloane reached up, pulling the clip out of her hair. The long strands fell down, fanning out around her as she nestled in against the pillows.

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