Page 38 of Aries

Although all today’s trial required of me physically was the wave of my hands, I’m so emotionally fatigued I can barely see straight. Perhaps it was the near brush with death at the hands of the rioters—or the knowledge that a single misstep could bring Aries’ one step closer to death. For whatever reason, I feel as though I could sleep for a week.

I’ve never been much of a bath girl, preferring a quick shower and getting on with my never-ending list of tasks. Now, though, I think I’d love a soak in the large tub that takes up most of the cozy refresher.

Then a thought strikes me. It’s a picture, really. The very insistent image of me up to my neck in warm water as Aries kneels at the side of the tub, washing me.

I rub the back of my neck with my palm and let my lids flutter shut as I picture the lazy smile on his face, the slow movement of his hands, the look of lambent arousal in his beautiful golden eyes.

My nipples prick into tight buds as I feel my almost constant arousal rise to new heights.

Suddenly an idea hits me. I’m out of my chair and hurrying to the Manual as though my heels have wings.

After several minutes of scanning, I find the passage I was looking for. There must be something about my intense scrutiny of the book, because Aries has left his perch on the window seat and is standing nearby.

Rereading the section on physical restrictions, a slow smile curves my lips. “Interesting.”

“What’s interesting?”

“So many touching prohibitions. They’re so clear. Butlooking, Aries? There’s not a word against it.”

His expression shifts from confusion to understanding to alarm. “No.”

“Here.” I pat the chair next to me at the table and turn the Manual toward him. "Look for yourself."

“Callie…” His voice holds warning, but I see the heat flaring in his expression.

I don’t blame him for taking an inordinate amount of time flipping through the pages. His life is on the line. But nowhere does it prohibit looking.

“Take all the time you need to confirm I’m right. In the meantime, I’ll be running a bath. By the way, those are usually taken in the nude.”

His hands clench as he reads, and I know the exact moment he realizes I’m right. “This is…” A muscle tics in his jaw. “You’re playing with fire.”

“No.” Moving toward the bathing chamber, I glance back over my shoulder. “I’m playing by the rules. Exactly as written.”

The bathing chamber isn’t large, but the deep tub dominates the space. Candles line the shelves—their light will paint everything in flickering gold.

“Your choice,” I say softly, lighting the first candle. “But I really could use the help.”

His breathing has grown heavier, but he hasn’t moved. “The rules…”

“Will be followed to the letter.” Another candle flares to life. “Not one touch. Just… looking.”

When I reach for the tie of my robe, his sharp intake of breath sends heat pooling low in my belly. “Last chance to leave.”

“Callie…” My name emerges as a growl, but he stays, eyes burning, as I let the robe fall.

The candlelight plays across my skin as I step into the steaming water. His gaze feels like a physical caress, making every nerve ending tingle.

He’s seen me nude before, but that was a lifetime ago. It’s been five years since then. Five years of hardships and camaraderie, running from bad guys and scrabbling for enough money to stay flying, and five years of fighting.

I’ve spent countless hours in the ship’sludus, learning tricks from some of the best gladiators in the galaxy. I’m not ashamed of my body. I hold my head high as we both wait for a chime to ring, or one of the Committee to materialize and scold us.

“It’s just the two of us,” I whisper.

He lets out a long, relieved breath.

After settling into the warm water, I grab the round bathing puff and hand it to him.

His hands tremble slightly as he takes it, maintaining perfect regulation distance. “Where?”

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