Changed by Fire (Phoenix Rising #6) - Harper Wylde Page 0,138

a hot tub for you myself.”

“Now why didn’t I think of that?” I teased, letting him carry me to our new home.

Thirty-Two

Hiro

It was rare that I got time by myself with Nix, and I intended to cherish it. I loved spending time with my brothers, but time alone was precious in its own right. It was also extremely hard to accomplish with multiple mates. Today, though, everyone had veered off to their own tasks, and when Nix had pouted about yet another training session, I’d figured we could both use a break for the morning, especially after she nearly killed herself in that ridiculous battle with Hugo. Unfortunately, being amid the rebellion in one of our temporary holding locations meant I didn’t have any fun place I could take her.

My Kitsune yipped in my head, and I considered it for a moment. I had rarely gotten to spend time with Nix in her shifted form, and my Kitsune had barely played with her. There was always something else that needed to be done, some kind of training, some kind of play… Okay, that last part was on me, but my mate was seriously sexy. I would have been a fool to refuse to pleasure her, and while I was many things, a fool was rarely one of them.

A grin spread over my face as the idea took root, and I dug through the drawer of my bureau until I found what I was looking for. I tucked the little packet into my pocket and knocked on the bathroom door. I knew Nix was soaking there, the woman was indulging in the new bathtub like a fiend, and I’d been happy to let her soak while I came up with a plan.

“Yeah?” she called through the door, and I tugged it open, the steam hitting me like a wall. Heat unrelated to the bath roared through me as I took in my mate lounging in the tub, her head thrown back and eyes closed as she soaked.

I swallowed, hard, shifting to try and hide my erection. This was so not the plan for today. Her chocolate eyes opened slowly, a smile curving those soft pink lips. “Joining me?” she asked, her voice husky, and I groaned at the promise in those words.

“As much as I want to, I had another plan for our alone time today. It does require you getting out of the tub though.” I was amused by the sulky expression that briefly crossed her face. When all of this was done, and we went home together, I knew a bathroom renovation was in our future.

“What were you thinking?” Nix pulled the drain before standing up and reaching for her towel. Water slicked across her golden skin, droplets highlighting the swells of her breasts and the curves of her thighs. Her jet-black hair tumbled messily around her shoulders from the ponytail she’d placed it in. I could barely form words as my eyes remained glued to her form as she dried off slowly. From the heat in her cheeks, I could tell she was pleased by my attention. My attraction to her was something she would never have to wonder about.

“How would you feel about shifting today?” I inquired, tearing my gaze from her body as I dug out her hairbrush for her from the side table.

“I thought we weren’t going to practice.” There was no condemnation in her tone, even though she thought her relaxation day was being taken from her. Always practical, my girl.

“I was thinking more like playing,” I told her with a smile. Her eyes widened as she looked back to me. “My Kitsune and your Phoenix haven’t had much time together. Today seemed like the perfect time.”

She squealed, throwing herself into my arms for a tight hug. “Hiro, I’d love that!”

My kitsune yipped his encouragement, happy that our mate was going to spend the day with him. “Then you’d better get dressed,” I replied, stroking my hand down her hair. “We’re counting on you to keep us warm.” I pretended to shiver as she chuckled, darted into the bedroom to grab clothing, and hurried to dress. My Kitsune wasn’t a huge fan of the cold, especially Alaska’s level of cold, but he’d face anything for his mate. With Nix’s power to keep us warm, though, I knew I wouldn’t have to worry.

“I’m so excited,” she chirped, as she grabbed the brush from my hand and ran it through her hair with frantic strokes, using