Eleven #3
I nodded. My arousal had faded, and embarrassment replaced that feeling of pleasure. The air smelled of sex, and I buried my face into his chest, attempting to hide my face from the guards as we passed them. Neil carefully carried me out of his throne room and toward his bedroom.
Neil carried me through his master suite and into his bathroom where he had a large porcelain tub that was more than big enough to fit the both of us.
He kissed my forehead, gently sitting me down on the tub’s edge.
One hand remained wrapped around me, preventing me from falling one way or the other as he used his other hand to turn on the warm water.
My chin rested on his forearm, peering up at him, genuinely sorry for how I had acted and what I had done.
Shame and embarrassment swirled within me, making my chest feel tight.
My insides hurt. Why is he being so kind now?
“You’re such a good girl,” Neil murmured, his lips grazing my ear. He planted a kiss against my jawline, then carefully loosened the ribbons of my corset. I didn’t reply. He planted a second kiss against my jawline, closer to my chin. “Lift your arms,” he commanded gently.
How am I to ever look Acheron in the eye again? Or those guards? Do they think of me as a pet? I’m not a pet… He did that because he loves me, because he cares… right?
I lifted my arms while he pulled off the bodice of my corset, stripping me layer by layer until I was entirely bare before him.
After I was rid of my clothes, he did the same for himself.
Piece by piece, he tossed his clothes aside on the marble flooring, ridding himself of his own attire until he, too, was as bare.
His pale muscles were on display, light as the bathtub I leaned against.
“Come here.” He reached out for me, and I melted against him, too tired to protest. Neil carefully pulled my aching body into the bathtub with him.
My back faced him, and I sat quietly between his legs. He leaned forward, his arms wrapping around my middle, and his chin on my shoulder. “How does my sweet girl feel?” he asked.
How do I feel?
In truth, I did not know. I was conflicted about how I felt, but I also knew I did not want to tell him the truth of a particular feeling in my mind.
I felt violated. I felt like an object, like a plaything, like a pet.
I lied instead. “Mm, good,” I whispered.
Turning my head back just enough to briefly peek at his face and the smile that rested on his lips.
How can he smile at me like that after what he just did?
He kissed my shoulder. “Good.” He pulled away, carefully gliding his hands through my hair to wet my curls, cupping handfuls of water again and again until my hair was soaking wet.
I closed my eyes, soaking in the feeling of his fingers massaging my scalp while lathering in shampoo.
I leaned into his touch as he cleaned and conditioned my hair.
The moment the remaining suds and bubbles were washed away, he pulled me into his chest, and I turned, melting against him with my eyes closed.
If he didn’t care for me, he wouldn’t be in the bath with me, tending to me like this.
He loved me. He loved me. He loved me.
I took a deep breath as one of his hands toyed with my hair, massaging my scalp, while the other ran soft circles against my back.
“Do you feel relaxed?” he asked, whispering in my ear.
I nodded, hugging him the slightest bit tighter. My muscles loosened within the warm water, and the closeness of his touch, the skin-to-skin contact, made me feel at ease. He kissed the side of my head, pulling me further into him.
“Close your eyes and relax. I’m here. I will always protect you. You are safe with me. You have nothing to worry about. I forgive you.”
His whispered words were reassuring to hear.
He forgave me, but did I really have to do that to prove to him that I was sorry?
I didn’t know how to feel, and I didn’t have anyone to confide in, either.
Even in his arms, in an embrace that once felt warm, I felt alone.
Cold, and confused. Exhaling slowly, exhaustion finally outweighed the whirlwind of emotions within me.
“Mmm,” I hummed softly.
“Shh… Rest.” He dipped his head down, peppering soft kisses against my cheek. His fingers caressed my skin in soft circles, almost lulling me to sleep.
I wasn’t sure how long we lay in the bath together like that.
I was half awake when he pulled me out of the water with him.
I yawned softly, so tired. He dried me off, cradling me in his arms while he combed the tangles out of my wet curls.
He placed the brush down, taking his other arm to steady me against him, and carried me to bed.
Placing me gently beneath the sheets, he crawled into the bed alongside me.
I opened my eyes, watching him pull the sheets over us.
When Neil reached for me, I rolled over with my back pressed against his chest. His arms wrapped tightly around me, and he buried his face into my neck, paying no mind to my wet curls.
“Goodnight,” he whispered, kissing the side of my temple.
“Goodnight,” I whispered back as I closed my eyes. Sleep soon found me.