Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“Thank you so much. This really means a lot.”
Chapter 5
Secrets
Camille
Once the woman left, I headed for the bathroom, shut the door behind me, and stripped off my clothes in seconds.
It was probably rude to leave so quickly, but I couldn’t deal with the sewer gunk anymore.
The shower was small and sat at the center of the room, just a big glass box. White paint coated the walls. A black rug rested on the floor.
I slipped out of my muddy and blood-crusted sandals. Clumps of grime coated my feet. Dirt caked under my toenails.
Ewww.
Entering the shower, I twisted the steel knobs. Warm water sprayed out of the nozzle. Steam rose around me. The soft mist was a blessing.
My skin sparked with satisfaction.
I could stay in here all day.
Water streamed through my hair and poured down my back. The liquid spurted over my face and dripped to my naked breasts.
Xander’s deep voice sounded behind me. “Do you want any shampoo or soap?”
I screamed and jumped forward, banging my head and knee into the glass.
Xander!?
Pain bit at my forehead.
When did he come in here? I didn’t hear him.
His hand went under my arms as he helped me up. The touch sent a jolt of warmth to my core.
I covered my hardening nipples with my hands and kept my back to him. “What are you doing in here?”
“We need to conserve the water.” He handed the shampoo to me over my shoulder.
I didn’t take it. “What happened to you being a gentle vampire?”
“You had no problem with me watching you disrobe in the alley so I figured we could shower together. Here, take the shampoo.”
I snatched the bottle out of his hands. “I still had panties and a bra on. That’s a big difference from being completely naked.”
“Trust me.” He chuckled. “It’s not a big difference. I’m getting the same reaction I got when you only had on your undergarments.”
Seething with rage, I blinked away water from my eyes. “You’re a sadistic pervert.”
“Relax. I promise I won’t bite you. I just really need to clean up.”
I frowned. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m almost done.”
“No, you’re not.”
The bottle slipped out of my hands and crashed to the floor. Some of the contents spilled out.
Xander’s arm brushed against my calf as he picked up the container.
More heat stirred my flesh.
“You can’t be done.” His voice sounded smooth within the pitter patter of the shower’s downpour. My blood roused with the sound. I swallowed down my unease.
Why am I reacting to him this way?
“You still have gunk in your hair and all over your legs.”
Continuing to hug myself, I stepped farther away from him.
“Let me help you.” His hands went to my hair. A cool liquid seeped onto my head. His fingers massaged my scalp, kneading all of my tension away.
Oh, Ambi. His fingers are like magic.
A rosy perfume filled the shower. My heartbeat increased.
“Calm down,” he whispered. “If I wanted to hurt or drain you, I had many times to do it.”
My hands fell to my side. My shoulders slumped and my posture slackened. “Perhaps you wanted me clean first.”
“You do have a point. I definitely like my women clean.” His soothing fingers moved in a circular motion on my head. “And you’re absolutely breathtaking. Even if your domina blood didn’t flow through your veins, I would have wanted to taste you.”
I swallowed and focused on breathing. His scent drowned out the shampoo’s fragrance and spun around me.
Lost in his massage, I leaned back a little. His erection pressed into my behind.
I jerked forward. “Okay. . .Thanks. I-I’ll rinse my hair out.”
“Hold on.” His hands stayed in my hair. He manipulated those fingers and snatched my breath away. Tendrils of pleasure swirled through my body.
For the first time in many years, my husband’s memory didn’t rush to my head.
Instead, Xander’s hard, muscular chest flashed in my mind. He slipped his hands down to my neck and balanced them on my shoulders.
“Should I move my hands,” he whispered, “or should I touch you some more?”
My nipples stiffened.
It had been two years since I’d been touched in any way besides inspection.
What are you doing, Camille?
I cupped my breasts harder and hoped I hid my erect nipples. “You should stop.”
“Should I?” Xander’s hands glided down my back and paused at the area right before my behind. Then, he moved his hands away from me. “Your husband doesn’t deserve you.”
Suddenly, rage coursed through me. It was just what I needed to return back to reality.
I rushed to rinse my hair out. “You don’t even know him.”
“He gave you to the king.”
“My husband didn’t give me to anybody.” I covered my breasts, faced him, and bared my teeth like a vampire. “And I explained why I left.”
“It doesn’t matter. Your husband could have figured out another way.” Xander stepped toward me. His gold eyes brightened and centered on my cleavage.