The Vow (Black Arrowhead #1) - Dannika Dark Page 0,84
are either for girls or for boys. What in the world must you think of my shooting a bow and arrow? The mind boggles. Too bad you feel that way. There’s all this room in here. I’m naked and—”
Lakota shot to his feet and sat in the water so forcefully that it splashed over me like a tidal wave. He draped both legs over the edge and relaxed his arms on the rim, his head reclined. “Not half bad. A little hot for my taste.”
I leaned over and removed his shoes and socks. “If you’re going to do this, you’re going to do it right. Take off your clothes.”
Without argument, he stripped out of his shirt. Lakota had a fine chest, worthy of admiration. Then he worked on his jeans. “I might need your help with these, wife.”
“You can cut that out anytime.” I tugged on his jeans, and the water rocked dangerously close to spilling over the edge again.
One leg came free, and he peeled the other side off before tossing the wet jeans to the floor.
“It’s easier when you get naked beforehand,” I informed him.
He reached for my foot and placed it on his chest. “Is it, now?” Lakota circled his fingers over the scars on the top.
“This would never have worked out between us,” I said. “We’re the most unromantic couple. If you start making bubbles, I’m leaving.”
He kissed my toe. “That was the old Lakota.”
“And you’re the new and improved?”
He chuckled darkly while massaging my calf. “I’ve had some body work done.”
“I’ll say,” I murmured.
His brows arched high, and he tugged my foot. “What was that? I didn’t hear you.”
“Nothing.”
“Funny. It almost sounded like a compliment. If I didn’t know better, Melody Cole, I might believe that you actually find me pleasing to look upon.”
I flicked water at him with my finger.
Because Shifters aged slowly, Lakota would remain handsome for many years to come—undoubtedly improving with age.
After running my fingers through my hair to smooth it back, I grabbed the floating sponge. “We can’t tell anyone back home that we slept together.”
“You don’t think they’ll notice something’s different between us?”
“Unless you plan on making out with me at the dinner table, I don’t think anyone will be able to tell we’ve had sex.”
He wiped his face and slicked back his long hair. “My stepfather will. Lorenzo can see right through people.”
“Then we’ll just make sure he doesn’t see us together. That shouldn’t be difficult. You don’t come around much anymore, and when you do, I never hear about it until after you’ve left. I haven’t seen you in years.”
He frowned, his hands still caressing my leg. The silence should have been awkward, but it wasn’t. It allowed me to slip into the moment and enjoy the heat from the scented water all around me—my right leg draped over his thigh, and our bodies comfortably tangled in the oversized tub. I’d never thought I would end up taking a bath with a man, but inside that quiet room alight with candles, nothing could have made more sense.
“Maybe that’ll change,” he finally said. “I don’t visit as often as I used to because of work. But you’re right. I haven’t made an effort to see you.”
“You’re not under any obligation. I’m Hope’s friend.”
He gripped my foot. “No, you’re not just Hope’s friend. You’re my friend, and I’ve neglected you. I always ask about you when I write or call home.” His eyes flashed up to mine. “Do you ask about me?”
Always, I thought. “Sometimes.”
“Too busy with city life and boyfriends?”
I smiled and pushed the sponge toward him. It floated to his side, and he reached for it. I saw no sense in encouraging something that wasn’t meant to be, something that wouldn’t last after tomorrow.
“I guess I’ll be hearing about all your girlfriends from now on,” I quipped. “Hope likes to inform me what a prize her big brother is.”
He rocked with laughter. “Hope has exceedingly high expectations for the woman she wants as her sister-in-law. She was always asking about who I was seeing and what pack or tribe they were from.”
I played with the ends of my hair. “Have you ever dated someone like me?”
He tickled the bottom of my foot and gripped it when I tried to jerk it away. “You mean a sassy woman with abysmal taste in music?”
I furrowed my brow. I’d meant white, and he knew it, so I left it unsaid. Lakota wasn’t full-blooded, but he embodied many of the features