Page 125 of Riv's Sanctuary

“I don’t mind.”

The air felt thick again as she watched him turn around.

Stripping as fast as she could through the aches and pains, she settled into the tub.

The water felt as good as it looked. Absolutely divine.

“You can turn around now.”

He did so slowly, his eyes taking in the fact that she was completely covered by the warm bath.

She’d dipped as low as she could, and thanks to the dimness of the room, she couldn’t see her body underneath the water.

Riv walked forward, pulling up the sleeves of his tunic.

He came to stand behind the tub and Lauren’s breath caught in her throat as she waited.

The first touch of his hand against her scalp was utterly heavenly and she moaned low in her throat without meaning to.

His hand stiffened at the sound and she wished she could sink underneath the water and hide for a bit.

This was why she never washed her hair at the salon. Scalp massages always had a way of making her express her delight verbally, much to the chagrin of her hairdressers.

Riv’s fingers started moving again as he reached for the soap and lathered her hair, wetting it with one hand and lathering with the other.

For a few seconds, Lauren rested her head back against the tub, allowing him to work the dirt out of her strands.

He was doing it so well, almost as if he had practice.

“You’re awesome at this.”

“I had much practice washing Sohut’s fur as a chid.”

“Oh. You were a caring big brother.”

Riv paused, his fingers stilling. “I was more than a big brother. I was everything.”

She didn’t know how to reply to that so she remained silent.

As he washed the soap from her hair, Lauren realized something.

She was lying naked in a tub in front of him.

She’d slept in a room without any protection while he was nearby.

And not once had she feared for her safety. Even now, when she was vulnerable, there wasn’t that feeling that he might take advantage of her.

She frowned at this realization, not because it angered her but because it puzzled her.

“Riv?”

His fingers paused.

“Why are you doing this? Why are you being so nice?”

A few seconds ticked by.

“I know you think I’m a nuisance, that I’m property—”