Chapter 14
Chapter 14
“There is no problem on earth that can’t be ameloriated by a hot bath.”
Jasper Fforde
“Don’t you have people for this kind of stuff? Like drawing baths?” I asked as Alpha Enzo led me through the hallway on the second floor. Most of the doors were closed, but a few were cracked open, revealing an elaborate home gym inside one door and a spacious game room in another.
“I do,” he said smoothly, “But you’re my mate. I’d never let another draw your bath for you.” As he spoke, he stopped in front of a new door and pushed it open. To my surprise – although I shouldn’t have been – the bathroom he’d led me to had to be the fanciest bathroom I’d ever seen in my life.
It was a far cry from the cramped, basic white bathroom in my apartment. I couldn’t even take a bath there, not with my ancient water heater. I’d be lucky to get five minutes of hot water most of the time.
But here…I didn’t foresee that being an issue.
The bathroom was spacious, with a granite counter and a large mirror that stretched at least ten feet. The floor was all hardwood, covered only by a few stylish rugs clearly meant for drying off wet feet. And, unlike my sparse bathroom at home, the shower took up a huge portion of the right corner. It looked like a rain shower, with a sliding glass door and enough space to easily fit three or four people without knocking elbows.
The main attraction, however, was definitely the porcelain claw-foot tub currently steaming with hot water.
It felt like I’d accidentally stumbled into one of those celebrity house tours.
“Do you like it?”
I nearly jumped when I felt Alpha Enzo’s cool breath on the shell of my ear. While I admired his fancy bathroom, he’d snuck up behind me.
I didn’t bother looking back as I said, “It’s definitely…suitable.” For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to let him know just how much I liked it.
“Good,” he murmured, “I want my mate to be happy.” I wasn’t sure if it was his voice or his words or just the touch of his breath, but goosebumps prickled over my skin.
*Don’t give into it, Elsie.*
*These reactions I’m having…they’ve got to be some side effect of this mate bond. I’ve never had anyone in my life make me feel this way just off touch or tone.*
The longer he stood behind me, the more I could feel his breath on my skin, the heat of his body only inches away –
“Well, thanks for the bath,” I said sharply, turning around and stepping back from him. I needed to put some space between us or I wasn’t sure what I’d do. “But since it’s all ready, I guess this is the part where you, you know, get out.”
He cocked his head to the side, like I was some new species he was examining under a microscope. “I’m not leaving.”
I balked at that. “Look, I know you think you’re entitled to me or something because the universe said so, but if you think you’re getting tickets to this show, you’re dead wrong. No way I’m letting you see me naked.”
“I’ll turn around,” he retorted.
I rolled my eyes. “You’re willing to turn around, but not leave? You won’t get to see me naked either way.”
“Contrary to what you might think, mate,” he said, stepping close enough that I got a strong whiff of his totally-not-addictive scent, “My desire to stay in this room is not about seeing you unclothed…although I certainly wouldn’t protest at the chance.” His eyes rolled over my form as he added, “It’s because you’re human, and in my experience, humans are quite clumsy and uncoordinated. Who’s to say you wouldn’t slip on the floor and crack your head open? Or break your neck? Or accidentally drown in the tub?”
*‘In his experience’? And what experience could he possibly have?*
“Well, you can rest assured that I’ve taken plenty of baths in my lifetime, and have yet to break my neck or drown.”
He just narrowed his eyes at me.
After another few moments of silence, I sighed. What was that saying? Pick your battles?
That’s what I needed to do.
I wasn’t going to get the privacy I wanted, but all things considered, I knew he could’ve made the situation a lot more uncomfortable. If he wanted to, he could’ve insisted on watching me undress or even joining me.
I didn’t want to give him brownie points for respecting a simple human boundary, but if I kept fighting, he might revoke the opportunity to bathe altogether.
*And I’m not sure I can spend another moment in these grimy clothes.*
“Fine,” I said, “But if I see you even try to turn around, I’ll scream.” I knew it was an empty threat, especially since we were in his territory. The only person willing to help me within miles was probably Scarlett, and I’d already seen her best attempt at physically overpowering Alpha Enzo.
He smirked, but nodded his head, and turned around without complaint.
I waited till I was sure he wasn’t peeking before I took a few steps toward the claw-foot tub and began peeling off my dirty shirt.
*Geez, what has my life become?*
*A couple of days ago, I was sleeping in my own bed, probably planning my next date with Aiden.*
*And now I’m here, in a world I’m unsure of, about to bathe in the presence of a stranger.*
*But maybe this doesn’t have to be completely uncomfortable.*
*He thinks he’s won, but I can still use this situation to my advantage. I’ve got alone, uninterrupted time with him, which means I can take a second chance at trying to convince him this mate bond is a sham.*
As if on cue, my jaw ached.
*I’ll just have to be a little more subtle this time.*