We walked down the hall back to the master bedroom, then into the washroom. She gasped as she looked around at the dozen lit candles, and the giant bathtub piled high with bubbles.

I turned her toward the giant mirror, unzipping the back of her dress as she stared at me in the reflection. She pressed back against me as my hands slipped over her stomach. “You know, we look incredible together,” I said softly.

“Like a couple who has been together much longer than a few days,” she smiled.

I swept her hair to the side, kissing down the side of her neck as I slid her dress off. I unhooked her bra, then slipped my hands up under the cups to squeeze gently.

The back of her head fell against my chest, and I watched in the mirror as she seemed to melt back against me.

“That’s it,” I murmured. “I want you to totally relax.”

Slipping off her bra, I tossed it aside, then slipped my hands into the sides of her silky panties to pull them down as well.

Once she was completely naked, Alice turned to me. “What are you going to do with me now?” she whispered with a saucy smile.

Grabbing her ass roughly, I grinned. “My dark side says I’m going to do anything I want. The truth is, I’m just going to bathe you. I don’t want those cute little fingers to be cold anymore.”

Taking her hand, I led Alice to the tub, helping her step in. She tied her hair up in a messy topknot that made her look even more adorable. While she got comfortable under the bubbles, I took off my shirt so my arms were free.

Folding a towel to use as a cushion under my knees, I knelt behind her as her fingers traced along the intricate tattoo of bones that circled my bicep.

“I’ve thought about getting a tattoo someday,” she said dreamily.

“No.”

She looked at me sharply, and I shook my head. “What I meant to say was, I absolutely love your perfect body the way it is, but I will support you in every decision regarding it.”

Her laughter echoed around the marble bathroom. “Good answer.”

Once Alice was settled in the tub, I poured a few drops of floral body wash into the palm of my hand. Massaging her shoulders gently, I could feel her energy soften.

“I know we won’t have time for this every day,” I said softly, “but I would love to be allowed to bathe you at least once a week.”

“You’ll do anything to have me living in your house,” she smiled, twisting around to wink at me.

“Our house,” I corrected her. “No divisions.”

“Does that mean I’m going to be part owner in a TV station?” she laughed.

“Absolutely.”

“Absolutely ridiculous,” she giggled, then I heard a soft moan as my thumbs

ground into the back of her shoulder blades. “But you have magic hands, I’ll give you that.”

I chuckled as I moved my palms lower to caress her entire back. “I can’t wait to go to Italy with you, baby.”

A long, low sigh escaped her throat. “You’re the only person I’ve ever wanted to take with me.”

Something in the center of my chest tightened, then released. “You have no idea how much that means to me.”

She turned around again to look back at me. “Your tub is gigantic. Certainly enough room for two, don’t you think?”

“I’m supposed to be pampering you,” I said, but found I was already standing to take off my pants.

I slipped into the tub, moving Alice so that I could spoon her, wrapping my arms around her middle. Nibbling on her shoulder, I said, “I have to confess, I’m really surprised at how helpful that therapist was.”

Alice turned around to face me. “You know, we are very different people, and different ages. I’ve never had a long-term relationship. Have you?”

Tags: Haley Travis Romance
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