used witches’ herbs and a soothing mixture in the water, didn’t you?” I accused softly, noting that I was relaxing entirely too much to be naked around him.
“Yes,” he replied. “You’re young, and your body is still something you think should be hidden. I thought it wise to help ease some of your modesty before climbing into the tub with me.”
“That was actually thoughtful,” I said, deflating. “Can you turn around?”
“You think that’s going to make it where I cannot see you?” He peered around at the room full of mirrors. Exhaling, he smiled tightly, giving me his back, still holding my wrist. “Place your foot against mine, Remi.”
I gave him my back, staring at the large bare foot with the heel toward mine. Brushing my foot against his, I swallowed down the thought of the intimacy at seeing his bare foot. For some unknown reason, I’d always found it intimate to see a man’s feet without shoes, as if it somehow held a broader meaning, which, of course, it didn’t.
His hand released my wrist, and I lifted the borrowed shirt over my head, slowly unbuttoning my pants while leaving the skimpy panties on as some line of defense against him. Silently, I turned toward Rhys, sucking my lip between my teeth as his eyes lowered to my naked breasts that my arms slightly hid.
“You’re not naked, little Silversmith,” he murmured.
“I’m not getting naked with you near me. This will have to do,” I frowned, lifting my eyes to the heated blue depths that smiled, even though his mouth remained in a tight white line. Without warning, he lifted me and stepped into the tub.
“Put your feet into the water, Remi. Make sure it isn’t too hot,” he said thickly as my body slid down his.
Rhys held me steady as if my weight didn’t bother him at all. The water was hot, but not scorching or uncomfortable. I stepped away from him, but his hand remained on mine until I was sitting comfortably in the tub. My eyes closed against the enticing scene of his delicious body on full display, which didn’t seem to bother him at all.
Rhys’s foot brushed against mine, pressing flesh to flesh as he sat in the tub resembling a large, shallow hot tub rather than an actual bathtub. I sat opposite his large body that spread out in the tub, staring at me, waiting expectantly.
“What?” I asked after another moment of silence sent my nerves rising.
“You’re very beautiful,” he stated softly, slowly sitting up as he moved closer.
“What are you doing?” I demanded, but he grabbed me, pulling me forward and turning me until my back was against his chest.
“I’m washing your hair, since you can’t do that and cover your pretty titties. So, I figured for the sake of your modesty, which I am trying to respect, it’s the least I could do.”
“Oh, okay—” I was the most awkward person alive, apparently. I stopped my lips from moving. Feeling his body against mine was intoxicating, but being around him naked was worrisome. My body reacted to his touch, much more so than any man before had ever caused me to respond.
Rhys brought a cup up, soaking my hair slowly as if he had done this before. Once it was fully saturated, the scent of lemon zest tingled against my nose. Fingers kneaded my scalp, stealing a moan from my lips as I dropped my head back. Momentarily forgetting where I was and whom I was with, I sat back up. I didn’t recall my mother detailing anything about scandalized bathing or hair washing in her tirade of Van Helsing men.
“My mother hates you guys,” I said into the silence of the room.
“It’s warranted,” he shocked me by agreeing to it without argument. “Our families are very much at war, Remington Silversmith. I won’t sugarcoat it for you as others would do to win you to their side. I’m sure she told you never to trust a Van Helsing with your back?” His fingers trailed down my spine, and I shivered.
“Yes, among other things they shouldn’t be around.” I swallowed, internally mentioning me as a whole that shouldn’t be around them. “I’m going to guess I shouldn’t allow you around my vagina, either.”
Deep laughter sounded behind me. I turned, studying the way he watched me. His eyes slid to my hair, and he made the motion to turn back around with his finger. I obeyed as his legs lifted beside me, and something very male