Page 76 of Kiss of Ice

“No, the sun did. It’s nearly lunchtime. Are you hungry?”

“Starving. But I had to wash first. I’m not sure what I’ve been doing but it seems to have involved a lot of sweating. And not in a good way.”

“You had sickle fever. You’re fine now. I treated the wound and kept your temperature down.”

“Sickle fever. The irony.” It occurred to Kam why she’d been naked and lying on top of him. He tilted his head. “You used your weft power, didn’t you? Is that why neither of us have any clothes on?”

Embarrassed, she looked away.

“It seemed the quickest way. I gave you calora tablets too,” she added, in case he thought she’d been using any excuse to get into bed with him.

“Lady Morenna, I’m in your debt,” he said gravely. “Come and join me.”

“In the bath?” she gulped. “No, I’ll just… I’ll wait till you’ve finished.”

“Ren, we’ve literally just spent the night together. I assure you you’ll be safe. Not least because I’m in no condition to do anything, even if I wanted to. Look.”

He held up a hand and concentrated. A thin ribbon of white emanated from his fingers and evaporated almost immediately. “See? I couldn’t beat a dryad in an arm wrestle. And anyway, I gave you my word. No touching without permission. So come on.” He gave her a wicked grin. “The bath’s built for two.”

She hesitated. Sharing a tub with a gorgeous naked jinn was the height of recklessness. But then again, shedidneed a wash.

She walked to the bath, dropping the sheet at the last possible moment, and slid into the water. Bubbles covered her to the chin. Kam eyed her sternly.

“If I wasn’t so weak, that would definitely deserve a spanking.”

“Sorry. Habit,” she mumbled. She couldn’t help wondering what a spanking might feel like at his hands.

“Did I not teach you anything in Coppertown, my ice queen?”

Heat flooded her body as she remembered the intense sensations she had wrought on herself while he watched. She swallowed.

“It was an instructive lesson.”

“And you were an incredible student. Come closer. Let me wash your back.”

“I can do it myself.”

He sighed.

“Just turn around, Ren. Let me take care of you for once, you stubborn wench.”

It was suddenly important to Kam that Ren trusted him. He didn’t want her to be wary or nervous of him. He wanted to prove he was a man of his word.

Slowly, she turned her back to him. He took the wash-cloth and wiped it gently over her shoulders. The rhythmic motion was pleasant and she relaxed.

“That feels good,” she murmured. She used both hands to pile her hair on her head so he could reach her neck. He stroked the sponge over her skin, noticing its smoothness and almost pearly translucence.

He had never cared much for Marid colouring before, finding it too pale and cold. He preferred tones which were warmer, both to the touch and to the eye. But now he knew how responsive she was, how quickly she could burn with passion under a lover’s touch…

He suddenly realised he was aroused again. His shaft was standing to attention, as hard as a monolith. Gods, the thing had a mind of its own today.

Ren wriggled her shoulders under his ministrations and let out a contented little sigh. His erection quivered.

“That’s enough for now,” he said hurriedly, moving a little away from her. She turned in surprise and he caught a glimpse of her magnificent cleavage.

“Is something wrong?” She looked at him closely. “Are you feeling ill again?”

“No. Not at all.”

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