Page 18 of Elicit (Decadence After Dark)

“Because”—I peel the teddy from her body—“you’ve had a rough first day. You could use a little TLC.”

“Do all new girls get the royal treatment?”

“Not just new girls. All my girls,” I admit as I slowly slide the sheer material down her legs. As she steps out, I inhale a heady whiff of sex. I stop myself from burying my head between her legs, even though it’s where I want to spend the rest of my life. I mean, the night. I stand quickly, shaking off the crazy thought. “Tomorrow is Sunday fun day.”

“Do I even want to know what that is?”

I smirk. “Of course. It’s your day off.”

“Day off?” she repeats, puzzled.

“Mmm hmm. You can do whatever you want. Read, sleep, watch TV. No one will bother you. My only request is you visit the mobile spa while it’s here. Get pampered to keep up appearances. A little waxing, a massage, and a manicure, at the very least.” I slide my attention down her naked silhouette. The waxing she might be able to forgo. She doesn’t have a stitch of hair anywhere on her body. Her skin is as soft and bare as a baby’s bottom. “Some of the girls go all out and spend the whole day beautifying themselves.” I gently clutch her chin. “But you have natural beauty. So I wouldn’t overdo it.”

London hesitates to move, meeting my substantial gaze with one of her own. Was that last comment too forward? It doesn’t matter if it was. It’s the truth, and I wanted her to know. I want her to feel her self-worth. In this business, that’s an easy thing to lose, but I try my damnedest to keep all the girls’ self-esteem high.

I release her chin, reluctantly. “Check the water.” I gesture with my head.

Frozen in place, London glances down at the filling tub. “You don’t have to stay. I can take care of myself.”

“I have no doubt about that, but I’m not going anywhere. I said you needed a little TLC, and I’m dispensing it. Now get in the tub.” I give her no choice.

Her eyebrows knit together in a worrisome way. “What are you going to do?”

“Not drown you, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Her facial expression turns to stone. I think I just hit a nerve. It causes my curiosity to pique. There are definitely more layers to this woman than I originally perceived.

“I won’t force you.” I lightly place my hands on her bare hipbones. London inspects me as if trying to read every single line on my face. There’s no fallacy. What I say, I mean. But it’s clear it’s going to take time and trust before she fully believes in me. And I have a feeling London needs both those things to feel completely at ease.

She glances at the water one last time before she resigns. Helping her step into the deep whirlpool tub, I watch as she slowly submerges herself in the steaming bath. She stifles a sigh as the warmth washes over her muscles.

“It’s okay to enjoy it. That’s the point.” I sit on the edge of the tub and touch her shoulders. She jumps unexpectedly. Whoa.

“Relax.” I use my most soothing voice. “Trust me. I know we just met, and a lot has happened, but you need to trust me.” I massage her tense shoulders, discovering knots the size of boulders.

“Today was nothing,” she mutters like a zombie. “I’ve been through worse.”

“Want to elaborate on that?” I concentrate on a knot under her shoulder blade, and she expels a pained moan. It shouldn’t be, but the sound is so fucking arousing. I could massage her all damn night just so I could listen to it over and over again.

“No,” she states bluntly.

Not ready for a heart to heart. Message received. It may take a little while, but I’ll wear her down eventually. I always do. She’s not the first woman with issues to walk into this house.

She may be the most beautiful, though.

Once the water level covers her chest, I rinse my sudsy hands and turn off the faucet.

Leaving London to soak in the moisturizing lemongrass bubble bath, I grab what I need. Two towels from the linen closet, a bottle of shampoo and conditioner, and a rinsing cup.

She finally looks relaxed with her head resting on the curve of the white tub, eyes closed, breathing steady. I leave her be for a few minutes, secretly watching the rise and fall of her chest. She really is something else. An ethereal entity walking among un-extraordinary mortals.

I wait as long as possible before the craving to touch her becomes too much. Even something as simple as washing her hair, my fingertips itch to feel her. Sitting back on the edge of the tub, the lip substantial enough to balance on, I touch London’s shoulder. “Sit up and tip your head back,” I direct her. With a cautious glance at me, she shifts upright and dangles her long red hair directly in front of me. She takes direction like a pro. Like a tried-and-true submissive.

Earlier, I received a taste of what she has to offer, and I haven’t stopped fantasizing about her since. I can’t remember the last time a woman took me by surprise. But London rolled in like a thunderstorm, breathtaking and majestic, lightning striking me with every move.

From the first moment it was clear—she’s a force of nature you run toward, not away from.

I squirt some shampoo into my hand, then lather her long red hair with the aromatic soap. Taking my time, I circle the pads of my fingers from her hairline, over her scalp, and down her thick mane. She sits perfectly still, not a sound slipping from her lips. She’s such a peculiar creature, full of zest one moment and distant the next.

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