Page 48 of One Touch

“I know.”

A few moments passed, and we lay in comfortable silence, our slow breaths the only sounds that filled the quiet bedroom. My mind began to swirl.

What now?

What are we?

Is there awe?

Oh god. How do I explain this to everyone? To Duke?

This is Declan’sbrother. What the hell did I do?

“I can hear you thinking.” Beside me, Beckett propped himself up on an elbow and peered down at me.

I did my best to smooth my expression and appear unaffected by the cosmic shift that was happening inside me.

He stared down at me. The demanding, brash edge to his voice was gone. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

Before I could argue, he moved from the bed. I watched the muscles of his butt flex as he walked, unashamed of his nakedness, to the en suite bathroom.

I heard water running, and his head popped back into the room. “You coming?”

I unpeeled myself from the bed and placed my toes on the rich hardwood floors. My legs were tingly and unsteady, so I took a cleansing breath to brace myself. Carefully, I walked to the bathroom.

There the expanse of panoramic windows continued, exposing the bathroom to the outdoors. My hands moved to cover my breasts.

“Don’t worry. It’s one-way glass. No one can see you but me.” Beckett moved behind me and planted a kiss on my bare shoulder. The simple, harmless peck sent warmth spreading through my chest.

I looked around the elegant bathroom. The ceiling was high, and an ornate crystal chandelier glittered in the light from the vanity. Double sinks lined one wall, and what looked like a steam shower was tucked in the far corner. The focal piece of the bathroom was the enormous soaker tub. It looked big enough to host a party in, and as the steam from the water rose up, thick, luxurious bubbles threatened to spill over the top.

Beckett turned off the water and faced me. My eyebrows lifted. “What?” he asked.

I slowly walked toward him and took in the array of bath salts, bubbles, and candles arranged neatly on the countertop. “This is a pretty well-stocked bathroom for a bachelor.”

Beckett lifted a shoulder. “I like a bubble bath. Sue me.”

The image of broody, grouchy Beckett sinking into the freestanding tub and disappearing beneath a cloud of bubbles was ridiculous. But also endearing.

“Just get in,” he commanded.

Aaaaand he’s back.

I stepped toward the bath. My muscles ached from working on the farmhouse, but also from the vigorous romp with Beckett I had just experienced. He took my hand as I stepped into the tub. I lowered myself into the hot water and sighed.

Perfection.

I opened my eyes to find Beckett staring down at me.

“You’re not coming in?”

A soft grin started at the corner of his mouth, as though I’d surprised him by wanting him to soak with me. “I’ll be right back.”

Still naked, Beckett left me in the bathroom. I wiggled my toes and breathed in the relaxing scent of mint and eucalyptus. If it weren’t for the risk of drowning, or the absolute embarrassment of Beckett finding me passed out in his bathtub, I could have drifted off to sleep right then. Nothing had ever felt so decadent, so utterly relaxing.

I peeped open one eye at the sound of Beckett returning. He was carrying a tray with water, a bottle of wine, two glasses, and a plate filled with crackers, cheese, and some kind of cured meat.

When he caught me staring, he shrugged and placed the tray on the nearby countertop.

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