He starts to rub shampoo into my hair, making me moan. But just as I lean into his touch, he begins to rinse it. Afterwards he conditions my hair, and I lean into him, feeling more relaxed than ever.
“Magnus.”
“Yes, love?” He kisses my bare shoulder before turning the water off.
“I forgot what I was going to say.” I open my eyes when he lets out a deep chuckle, wrapping me in a towel.
He leads me out of the bathroom and dries my hair before taking me over to the bed. I sit down, and he sits next to me, and then I look at the brush in his hand.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking care of you. It is my duty as your husband.” He starts to brush my hair out, and my fingers itch to reach back and run them through his hair at the same time.
“Is this a custom or something?” I peek over my shoulder at him, and he shrugs.
“It’s what I want to do. I don’t care what other men do.” I actually believe that. Magnus wouldn’t shy away from showing affection in front of others. He wouldn’t feel, as lesser men do, that it would make him look weak. He doesn't care what anyone else thinks, although he seems to care about what I think about him.
I look down at my fingers that I’m wringing together. The lump in my throat grows bigger by the second, and I have to get out of this room. I can’t cry in front of him.
“Bathroom.” I try to jump to my feet, but Magnus snags me around the waist and pulls me onto his lap.
“You’re crying.”
“No, I’m not.” I shake my head.
“I don’t like when you lie to me.” He brushes away a tear with his thumb. “Tell me why you’re crying, and I’ll fix it.”
“What if I’m crying because I have to marry you?”
“That’s not why you cry, love.” His fingers drift up and down my back in a soft caress, and the simple touch relaxes me. I swear he has some kind of superpower over my body.
“This is a lot to take in.”
“It is. You and your sister are good at making sure you keep people at a distance. I knew the only way I could try and get close to you, really close, is to get you alone.”
I hadn't realized until now that’s what we’ve always done. We cling to each other because it’s safe and we’ve always been there for each other without fail.
“Please, love. Now it is me that begs. Tell me why you’re crying.” I stare into his dark gaze and I see the real worry there. Magnus truly cares about me, and what I feel affects him.
“It’s different having someone take care of me the way you are and it’s scary,” I admit.
“Why would it be scary?”
“I want it.” I place my hands on his chest.
“Then why won’t you let me give it to you? I will shower you in affection and you will want for nothing. I don’t mean only in possessions but in all things.” He leans in, pressing a kiss to one cheek and then the other.
“This feels so overwhelming.”
“You don’t like how I feel for you?” He lifts his brows, and I can tell he’s hurt.
“No, not in the way you’re thinking.” I can’t deny whenever I am around him I feel too many things.
“You mean in your heart?” He runs his finger down the center of my chest between my breasts, waiting for me to answer him.
I can’t say it with words, so instead I lean forward so that I can kiss him. When my lips connect with his, he tangles his fingers into my hair and presses his bare chest against mine.
“Don’t think this conversation is over. It’s only on hold for now,” he says when he breaks away from the kiss and his mouth goes to my neck. “I’m going to show you that I will protect all parts of you. Even the parts no one can see.” He nips at my neck, already knowing it’s a weak spot for me. I moan out his name as he rolls us over and pins me under him.
This is happening. Oh my god, I’m going to give myself to him. I suppose it’s one way to find out if this has all been about the thrill of the chase for him. Once he beds me, he can let me go, and I can stop falling in love with him.
His mouth works its way down my body, and he stops at my breasts. His hot mouth closes over my nipple, and when I feel him suck I almost come off the bed. His fingers toy with my other nipple, and my hands go to his back, where I dig in my nails.