Page 66 of Yours, Finally

We both had taken the afternoon off from work, and it was still early in the evening. I sipped my wine— delicious— and stared up at him.

"What are we going to do?" I asked.

"I'm going to go prepare a bath for you."

The memory of us discussing my book and the hero's gesture for the heroine pushed to the forefront of my mind.

"Really? I'll take a bath while you make dinner, I assume?"

He gave me an exasperated scoff. "I'm not just going to copy a random Tristan or whatever his name was. I'm going to overshadow him, I hope."

I sipped from my wine again and spoke through a smile. "Oh? How are you going to do that?"

"We're starting with the robe I left for you on the bed. You can change into it while I fill up the tub."

I raised my eyebrows and took my glass with me to the bedroom. Jake had moved our bags to the top of the dresser, and laid a large, silk robe on the bed. Dusty blue collar and cuffs edged the garment, framing the long swaths of fabric printed with dark green leaves and white, blooming flowers. I ran my fingers along the soft material with a smile. Jake's planning for the evening pushed a warm breeze into the sails of my emotions.

The robe fit me perfectly. I entered the bathroom with nothing but the silk on my skin, and the glass in my hand.

Jake bent toward the huge soaking tub, a brushed copper beauty that could have been stolen from a historical romance. The walls were painted in a deep blue-green tone that contrasted beautifully with the copper, with wainscotting giving them texture. The standing shower had tiles in the same shades, but all these rich colors were broken down by white trim in the window over the tub, the ornamental crown moldings, white stone countertops, and an antique radiator.

"Wow. This is beautiful," I said.

The bathroom smelled delicious; two small oil bottles stood uncapped on the white stone counter. Jake placed a bigger bottle next to them; the water in the tub had started to bubble up.

He smiled and came to me. His eyes glinted as he took my chin in two fingers, and dropped a long, soft kiss on my lips. "You are beautiful."

The three simple words melted my limbs, my insides turning to instant goo.

I breathed through the warm, glowing orb in my chest. "You've said that before, but it feels different this time."

"Different, how?" He raked his fingers through my loose hair, his thumb trailing a path on the skin within his reach.

"Now I know you mean it."

"I've always meant it."

"But I didn't know if you saw me beautiful like a sunset, or pretty like something you could rationalize. I didn't know if youfeltit."

The kiss he gave me, gentle but firm, a tease and a promise, it filled every corner inside with golden light.

He rested his forehead on mine. "Your beauty has always left me aching with awe."

"Tell me more." I closed my eyes and smiled. "Leave every hero in my books in the dust."

"Soon." He grinned and stepped away.

He took my hand, kissed it, and guided me closer to the tub. With his free hand, he checked the water's temperature; satisfied, he turned off the faucet.

"Is there a book you'd like to read?" he asked. "I'll bring it for you while you get in."

"My paperback is in my bag."

I undid the belt keeping the robe closed around me. His eyes trailed the movement. He licked his bottom lip and took a deliberate step back.

His gaze found mine. "I'll give you a couple of minutes. I'll bring the book."

I hung the robe from a wall hook and got into the tub. Heat prickled on my skin, sending shivers up my spine. A moan escaped me as I settled in the water. With foam up to my chest, I closed my eyes and waited for Jake, taking in the warmth liquefying my limbs.