Erik whispers, “A kiss is just a kiss.”
I nod, my gaze on his lips. “You're right, but... what if I want more?” My mood is mercurial, and I hate my ever-changing temperament. It's been a way to protect myself from my dangerous life for too long. When beaten into obedience, I changed what I could control—but I can't do that anymore. Now... it's time to learn to move on.
He laughs and comes nearer once again. "You control the pace. I will be a willing participant."
This time, it is me who places his hand on the hem of my tank top and guides the fabric up. After awkwardly pulling it over my head, Erik just stares at me for a moment, eyes trailing across my lace bra and breasts. Then he takes my face in his hands. “You are beautiful. You always have been.”
I blush with embarrassment as I mumble, “So are you.”
He kisses me again, and my burning skin demands more. Grabbing his hand, I place it on my chest, my heartbeat hammering against his palm. He takes the hint and massages my breasts, eliciting soft moans from my lips.
“You are the greatest treasure I've ever known,” he murmurs back before kisses trail down my neck, his hand moving to cup my breast through the lace of my bra. I gasp and arch into his touch as his lips travel down my body.
Then, he pulls back when I am panting and swirling with need. The water droplets glisten on his bronzed skin, and I am hyper-aware of him. Without another word, he leads me to the deeper section of the tub so that I am no longer sitting. “Let me help you wash your hair, now.”
I blink. "You want to stop?"
He smiles. "I want to go slow."
My broken heart is lying with two halves in my chest, yet it seems ready to be filled. As he lays me back gently, my hair is submerged in the pool. Slowly, his hands detangle the strands. He reaches for one of the glass bottles of soap. A delicious scent fills the steamy room as he works the shampoo into my hair. As his fingers move around my scalp, I moan.
There are too many sensations. I feel like my body might explode. I can't help the way my tail flips above water. He walks around me and kisses me while the suds melt out of my hair. And then, as quick as an eel, he returns to the space above my head and works all of the water out. From some hidden place, he retrieves a comb and works a thick, sweet-smelling conditioner into my locks.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been so relaxed.” I sigh. “Is it safe to ask where you learned this?”
“I’ll be honest, I’ve never been with a woman long enough to learn anything.” he chuckles. A mischievous smirk takes over his features. “But you remind me a bit of a cat. And my parents had one of those. It also enjoyed being pampered.”
I laugh. “I remind you of a cat?”
The chimera flashes before my eyes, as does my promise to return for her. With my uncle's help, I might still be able to do that.
“Erik,” I whisper. The combing stops, and he spins me around to face him.
“Yes, my Helena?”
I blush. “I—“
Just as I am about to voice my feelings, an explosion loud enough to penetrate through the thick tower walls sounds all around us. The bath rumbles, and several bottles fall to the ground and shatter completely. I scream, and Erik wraps his arms around me like a shield.
“What the hell is happening?” I screech as the tub continues to shake.
“We need to get out now!” he shouts over alarms and rumbles. In moments, his pants are on, and he’s scooping me into my aqua chair. I feel safe and helpless at the same time as I look at my tail. There is no way I can do anything more than cower with my bottom half like this.
“Erik,” I say.
He starts racing out of the room, pushing my chair. He doesn’t hear me as he jerks a shirt down over his head, hiding his gloriously sculpted chest.
“Erik!” I shout. He finally looks at me. A feral look of protectiveness washes over me. “I need my legs. Take me to my uncle.”
Before I finish, he’s already shaking his head. “No, we need to get you to safety.”
“I need you to take me to my uncle,” I grind out through clenched teeth.
He pauses. “Fine.”
When we reach the living room, he grabs clothes for me: a shirt, pants, and expensive tennis shoes that must have been delivered while we were in the tub. He rolls me out the door, only to find Phaedra in the hallway.
“Princess, Captain,” she nods, only a trace of terror flashing across her features. “I’m so sorry. We need to get you to the King.” Phaedra looks at how I am only wearing a lacy bra. “Can I offer you a jacket?”