Suddenly, there is a massive lack of oxygen in my lungs. I stand as still as a piece of coral as I lock eyes with this pirate who has stolen my heart and holds it in his hands.
We are engaged. We are alive. And the future is long. I am tired of waiting, tired of hurting. The time has come for us to be together.
“You’re back,” he says. His voice is deep, gravelly. “I ran a bath for you.”
My skin bursts into flame, becoming ultra-sensitive. Memories of the last bath flicker through my thoughts as blood rushes to my cheeks.
When I don’t move, hesitation flashes in his face. “Ummm, did you… want a bath?”
I take one step forward and slowly peel off my soiled clothes. With each article of clothing, I feel a weightless release, as if I am shedding skin that has been far too tight for many years.
Erik watches me, his eyes dancing with pleasure as they take in my exposed skin. His gaze is electric like he can't believe what he's seeing. I feel a hot flush spread across my cheeks.
When I am finished, I kneel before him, feeling exposed and vulnerable in a way that both scares and thrills me. His eyes are dark with desire as he looks at me and leans forward to cup my cheek. Then his hand slides down my neck and around the gentle slope of my breast.
“Bath?” His voice is like velvet—deep and soft—sending vibrations through my body that make me shiver with anticipation. His words give me the courage to look him in the eye - and when I do, I feel his love radiating from within him like a bonfire waiting to be lit.
I smile up at him and nod. Without further words, he sweeps me up in his arms. He holds me close to his chest like I am precious cargo. He walks swiftly to that enormous bathroom and pauses in the doorway.
He kisses me once and then again. His lips move over mine, gentle at first but then more insistent.
“Is this okay?” he asks as he trails his lips over my jaw.
I nod.
His lips go down my neck. His voice is gruff as he says, “Is this okay?”
I squeeze his hand as if to sayyes.
The kisses deepen as he sets me into the carefully controlled temperature of the water. Just like he had done before, he washes my hair.
Then he picks up a sea sponge and scrubs away all that is left of grime and blood, leaving a trail of goosebumps across my arms, legs, and stomach. Each movement is peppered with kisses.
Then, like the wicked man he is, the sponge slides between my legs. I gasp when it brushes over the most sensitive parts of me, which causes me to arch, but his eyes are dark.
"Do you like it?” he asks, his voice hoarse and husky.
Yes,I nod.
His grin grows wider. “Good.”
The sponge moves in circles, up and down, and I let out a moan of pleasure. His eyes twinkle as he watches me, enjoying the sight of my arousal. Somewhere along the way, his boxers end up on the floor in a pile, and I behold his beautiful, scarred body.
I bite my lip.
He lifts me out of the bath, pulls me into his embrace, and carries me to the bed. The room smells of fresh linen and sandalwood. He lays me down, and I melt into the covers.
He wraps me in his embrace and whispers sweet nothings into my ear. His fingertips stroke my skin, teasing, electrifying.
Finally, when I’m panting and weak, he folds my legs around his waist.
"Do you still want this?"
My eyes flutter as I nod, already feeling the evidence of his affection teasing me. I wiggle, trying to get him to move.
"Open your eyes."
I obey and see endless pools of amber brown. He watches me with great care and slides himself inside. The feeling is exquisite. I silently cry out, gripping onto him and arching my back. He moves slowly and carefully in and out of me, caressing my body with each thrust. Somehow, I start crying. Not because I am in pain, but because I feel whole.