“A time or two.” I smiled against his mouth as he lowered his lips to mine.
Kissing Nik felt like the first timeeverytime. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach, the heat in my core, a tickle running up my back and the urge to giggle. His magic and mine swirled right under our skin, mingling. Our magic was one and the same now.
We each still had our affinities, but they were bound to one another. It was both incredible and terrifying at the same time.
“Are you ok?” he asked, pulling away and sitting on the stool beside the tub.
He dipped his hand into the warm water, running it up and down my leg in a soothing motion.
I leaned back and closed my eyes, groaning at the sensation. Every touch felt likeheavenwith him. He grasped my ankle in his hand and my eyes popped open to meet his, a devious grin across his lips.
“I’m fine,” I replied, cocking my head to the side and daring him to stop.
He resumed his soothing motions, stopping at my knee and making his way back down.
“I want you to know I understand what a hard thing it is that we are about to do.” He held my gaze as he spoke, his voice soft.
“I know you understand,” I replied gently.
“You are not alone in this, Diana. Whatever you need from me, I’m here for you. Tell me what I can do to make this easier for you.”
“I wish you could be there with me,” I replied, running the water over my shoulders.
My breasts were hidden beneath the bubbles but as I stretched back the peaks of them appeared as they crested the water, and Nik’s gaze immediately heated.
“I’m trying to have a serious conversation here,” Nik admonished, peeking at me from under his eyelashes.
“I know.” I laughed, leaning back again so that my breasts crested the surface of the water once more.
“Diana…” his voice was both teasing and laced with desire. “Is this your way of trying to change the subject?”
“Maybe,” I admitted, rubbing the loofa over the skin of my abdomen.
“There’s nothing you have to hide from me. I want all of you, always. Every piece of you, even the parts you try to hide away. I know you are strong, but you don’t have to be strong all the time. You’re allowed to feel emotions other than anger.”
I leaned my head back against the tub and closed my eyes, biting my lip. How could he read my mind so completely? I know the bond didn’t offer that much, as his thoughts were still a mystery to me.
“I’m scared,” I admitted, sinking further into the tub.
He gave my knee a squeeze beneath the water. “I know.”
“I’m scared what kind of person this will make me. I know that she’s evil, I know what she’s done, but I also know I will be changed when all of this is said and done. What is the price I will have to pay for this? What piece of my soul will die when I do this?” I shook my head. “I’m scared I won’t be able to do it when it truly comes down to it. I’m scared that if I do, I’ll never come back from it. That I’ll never be the same. I’m scared you’ll look at me differently—”
Nik cut off my words as he stood, pulling the t-shirt over his head and revealing the tattoos that swirled along his chest and neck, down his bicep. He held my eyes as his hands moved to his belt buckle.
“I willneverlook at you differently.”
He slid his pants off, then his briefs, climbing into the tub with me. He sat facing me, our legs twined together.
“You say that now, but you might,” I told him, raising my chin in defiance.
“I won’t. Diana Kotova, I have been in love with you since the moment I met you. I fell first. How could I not when you are so strong, and fierce, and kind? Youwillbe changed by the time the war is over. We all will. But know that no matter what happens, I will be by your side.”
A tear escaped, running down my cheek and falling into the water before us with a soft plop. Nik leaned forwards to rub the tear from my cheek, but all he managed to do was rub soap onto my skin.
I choked out a laugh as I grabbed his shoulders, pulling him towards me. His hands were on my legs beneath the water as our mouths met, and a jolt of electricity ran up my spine. He captured my mouth with his, his hands finding my ankles and tugging me forwards and against him. I slid into his lap easily.
“What would I do without you?” I asked against his mouth.
