Page 128 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
Gerda
I woke up the next day with Julian’s leg sandwiched between my own, my back against his torso, and his breath on the nape of my neck.
He was warm and comforting and solid.
“Good morning,” I murmured, noticing the sunlight spilling in from the window. I made to get up, but a firm arm wound around my stomach, pulling me back.
“Good morning.” Julian rolled me underneath him and kissed me senseless. His morning stubble tickled my cheek.
“Wait!” I half-heartedly slapped his bare chest. It was a very nice chest.
“We can’t?” The half elf leaned down and gently bit my ear, sending shivers through my whole body. He whispered, “Or do you want me on my knees again, begging for it?”
“Julian!” I did think about it, but time wasn’t on our side. “Your Grace.”
My safeword made Julian pause, and then he had the audacity to pout. He sat up, and the covers fell back, revealing all of him. I took a second to appreciate what I saw, all while reminding him, “We have to go let everyone know we aren’t dead. And I need breakfast.”
We’d spent a lot of energy the night before, and I’d only managed to drink a glass of water, use the restroom, and half-heartedly brush my teeth before passing out in his embrace.
Julian climbed out of bed, giving me space to do the same as he unabashedly walked around with nothing on, teasing me with his cute butt, which I slapped on the way to the bathroom. He spun and shot me a fiery look. I smirked at him as I ducked through the door. With it set to the bathroom, he could only wait in my bedroom or join me.
He knocked when I turned on the bathwater.
I’d taken extra care with the crafting of my bathroom. The entire place was made out of red cedar walls and decorated with hanging ivy. On one side, there was a wooden vanity with a natural-wood-framed square mirror, and a hanging net plant box full of purple-and-green-colored velia ivy. I’d chosen it because it glowed in the dark.
Beside the vanity was an enchanted toilet with three candles on the back. It was in a shape I was familiar with, and something I’d had custom made by an artisan dwarf in Frolin. It wasn’t made out of porcelain but purple amethyst crystal.
I loved it.
The bathtub was also cut amethyst and was six feet long, four feet deep, and double sided. The faucet was a trough style that filled the tub with hot mineral water. The tub sat beneath a window looking out into Kith Bog, its ledge covered in jars and two lavender-scented candles. And above the bathtub, I’d installed a huge rain shower perfect for helping wash my hair, which could take over an hour.
While the tub was filling, I sat on a stool beside it with a bucket of warm water and a jar of soap. Julian walked in as I was rubbing soap on my arms.
“You look beautiful against the morning sun,” he commented, kneeling down behind me. He snatched my bath sponge, relathered it, and set to scrubbing my back.
“You aren’t too bad yourself,” I told him, sighing with pleasure. “That feels amazing.”
“Happy to help.” He grinned.
I flicked suds at the half elf. “Your turn.”
He obliged, and we managed to rinse off and enjoy a half-hour soak in the tub together before getting changed.
Since we’d taken longer than I’d planned, breakfast was fried floofpoof eggs on sourdough. I had some ready-made meals in my storage ring, but they were all sweet. I wanted a good helping of protein and a savory flavor. I paired it with an extra strong black tea to get us going.
“So,” I said when we were almost done eating. I was trying to sound like everything was normal and I hadn’t pushed the duke of the North into bed, literally, the night before. “What’s the plan?”
“What do you mean?” he asked, enjoying a sip of tea.
“The plan,” I repeated, emphasizing my words, “for us.”
His silver eyes dipped into a half-lidded satisfactory smile as Julian gave me a look that made me want to melt into a puddle on the floor. He reached out and took one of my hands, threading our fingers together. “What do you think?”
Calm your pants, Gerda. Focus.
Tentatively, I said, “Friends with benefits?”
That made him pause, his eyes flashing with something dark and possessive. He untangled our fingers and scooped up my hand, bringing it to his lips.
