Free Love Me Forever by Donna Fletcher

simply did what was necessary. His
focus was on his task, and his eyes?
    They caught her own glance as he leaned over
to place her in the tub. ‘Tell me if the water is a comfortable
temperature for you.”
    He lowered her toes in and she sighed, a
smile following. “It is heavenly.”
    He laughed softly and lowered her further
into the tub. “I will hold you until you can rest comfortably on
your own.”
    He wanted no repeat of the early day’s
incident. He intended to make certain that she felt no pain, only
pure pleasure.
    The heated water evaporated her nervousness.
It was not lukewarm or unbearably hot, but seemed the perfect
temperature for soothing her aches and pains. She sighed again and
relaxed against his arm that wrapped firmly around her back.
    Her eyes drifted closed for a moment and his
glance drifted over her. She possessed a beautiful body, all curves
and mounds in just the right places. And pale skin that was
blushing pink from the heated water.
    He shook his head. It was time to let go of
her; her warming flesh was beginning to feel much too pleasing to
his touch.
    “Do you think you can sit on your own?”
    She heard the reluctance in his voice, and
she mistakenly thought that he assumed her too weak. Her courage
surfaced. “Aye, I can.”
    “Sure of it, then?” he teased, hearing the
bravado in her voice.
    “Let go and we will see,” she
challenged.
    He accepted, though it was with a slow hand
he released her to rest on her own.
    It was barely a minute and her smile was
wide when the pain in her back began. Her first thought was to
ignore it, but she had made that mistake earlier. She would not be
foolish enough to repeat it.
    Her hand went out to him. “Royce.”
    His arm wrapped around her back and beneath
her breast, taking her full weight. “What is it?”
    “The pain in my lower back worsens when I
place pressure on it.”
    She sounded upset and he understood. She had
hoped to relax in the bath and now she could not. Not without his
help. “You can rest against my arm.”
    She produced a weak smile. “You will grow
tired of holding me.”
    “Never,” he said without thinking.
    “You are too kind to me. I should wash and
get out right away so that I do not burden—”
    His firm voice cut her off. “You are not a
burden. You will enjoy your bath.”
    “How can I when you must kneel here and hold
me? It is not fair.” Her voice was just as firm.
    “You will do as I say and enjoy the bath.”
He thought his direct remark would end the matter; after all he had
warned her of obeying him.
    “I will not enjoy the bath if you must
remain in such an awkward stance to tend me.”
    “I do not mind.”
    “I do.”
    “There is no other way,” he said
adamantly.
    “Aye, there is,” she insisted. “You can join
me and I can rest against you.”

Chapter Eight
    Brianna’s remark stunned him silent. Her
remark that followed stunned him even more by making sense.
    “It is necessary.”
    He did not wish to admit that she was
correct, that her suggestion made perfect sense. And that he was
going to get what he wished. He was going to join Brianna in the
tub.
    “I can manage to sit for a moment on my own
if you can undress with haste.”
    He wanted to laugh, nay maybe cry at her
words, for he could disrobe within seconds knowing he would ease
his naked body behind hers. Instead he remained calm outwardly
while inwardly his emotions turned chaotic.
    His warrior skills had taught him the art of
remaining calm under extreme pressure, and he called on those
skills now, or else he feared he would lose this battle with
himself.
    “Let me add more hot water first. Then I
will ease your weight for a moment and then undress.”
    “Aye, I can manage that.”
    ‘Tell me when you feel comfortable enough
for me to release you.”
    She nodded, took several deep breaths, and
grabbed hold of the sides of the tub. “Now.”
    Her voice sounded unsure, but it was better
that he did not question her, for