Page 89 of Sapphire Flame
She said good-bye to the security detail and thanked them for their service. She was already working at learning their names and noted again their deferential attitude toward her because of Grant. Most of them touched their foreheads and offered a small bow. It would have been unsettling, but her wolf revered them so that all she felt was gratitude.
Once she reached her bedroom, she set her wolf on guard once more. The iridescent specter padded around restlessly, tongue lolling. Her wolf was content and loved being on watch.
She set the bathtub waterfall flowing, poured in some bubble bath and watched the foam rise. A delicious sensation of pure decadence moved through her, of sinking into a warm bath, of floating, of feeling at peace with the world and life. Sometimes, for brief moments, there was nothing better than a bath.
With the temperature just right, and the water level at the height she preferred, she stepped in. As she sank, she took her time and savored every second. Because the tub was deep, she floated easily. She’d made sure the bath was exactly the right size. She let her head sink as well until her hair was fully covered and swaying beneath her.
She waved her arms back and forth to approximate the gentle movements of the ocean when the sea was calm. She’d often wondered if this was what she’d experiencedin uterowhen her mother moved around, a padded jostling, a rocking, a sense of being cocooned, safe, cared for.
The only thing she lacked was a glass of wine. But the beer still moved slowly through her veins and had left her at ease.
As the bubbles began to recede, she scooted up and played with them, letting herself relax. She tried hard not to think about the night’s events. This was her down time, as much as it could be.
Maybe for that reason, she began to ponder her evolving relationship with Grant. He was all man and more than she’d ever dared hope for once she’d become analterfae. What rose to disturb her was an uneasiness about her part in the Fae-Wolf Wars.
She’d spoken to Grant about the role she’d played. She’d at least done that, but could he truly forgive her? Could she forgive him?
After her bath, she spent some time reading then watched an hour or so of TV. Every once in a while, she could hear the wolves laugh at something. She could also see some of them cross over the backyard on patrol.
As dawn approached and the shutters came down, a powerful longing for Grant’s company surged over her. She knew he’d needed time with his wolves, but he would also need time with her. And she needed him.
Grant?
I’m here.
She smiled. She heard and understood the urgency in his voice.Feel free to join me at any time.
Sweetheart, I’m coming to you now.
She wore a lavender see-through negligee and was reclining on the bed when he walked in. His deep voice flowed over her. “You look wonderful.” His gaze raked the length of her. “Did you enjoy your alone time?”
“Infinitely. Are your men settled in for the day?”
He chuckled. They drew straws for the guest rooms. The rest will sack out on your couches and the floor.
She was about to protest because it seemed an uncomfortable way to spend the sleeping hours, but he lifted a hand. “Those on the floor will shift to wolf-form. Believe me, wolves can sleep anywhere.”
“Good to know.” She smiled. “You said something earlier about having a certain idea about our time together tonight.”
“I do. How would you like to go dreamgliding? We could find a beach somewhere on the California coast. Even if there are joggers up this time of day, no one will see us.”
She understood exactly what he was suggesting. Shivers chased up and down her arms and legs. Would she really be making love with a man, on the beach, even with the sun rising?
“Sounds like heaven.”
