Page 22 of The Raven's Alpha

Darcy's nod is a silent consent, and he lies back down, his eyes never leaving mine. I gently sweep the cloth across his chest, tenderly wiping away the remnants of our passion. The soft fabric glides over his skin, and I feel his gaze upon me, a sense of intimacy and vulnerability building between us.

Once his front is clean, I ask, my voice low and husky, “Roll over?” The words are barely above a whisper, but they convey a depth of emotion and a desire for connection that I can't quite contain.

He rolls over and comes to rest on his stomach, his thighs sticking to the sheet like a stubborn adhesive. I glance down at theglossy patch on his thighs and know that a wipe with a flannel won't be enough to remove the sticky residue. "How about we get in the bathtub?" I suggest, trying to sound casual, not wanting to risk embarrassing him.

A gentle, self-deprecating smile spreads across his face as he nods his head. "Sure, that would be nice," he says, his voice low and apologetic. "Sorry I made such a mess.”

I place the worn-out flannel on the side of the bed, its softness a contrast to the stickiness it's supposed to clean. Wrapping my arms around Darcy, I pull his body closer to mine, feeling his warmth seep into my skin. Pressing a kiss to his head, I whisper, "Don't ever apologise for something like this. Sex is messy and imperfect, and I love that I was able to make you feel so good.”

As I rise from the bed, I'm tempted to leave Darcy swaddled in the blankets, but he's having none of it. His hands shoot out, seeking mine, and I feel a pang of affection as I slide my fingers into his. My arm wraps around his shoulders, drawing him closer to me as I pull him into the warmth of my body. His shivering form comes to life as we touch, and I feel his tension ease as he leans into me

Darcy sits on the side of the tub, his eyes fixed on me as I flip the faucet handles and watch as the water swirls into a frothy, fragrant mixture of bubbles and warmth. The scent of chamomile wafts up, filling the air with a soothing aroma. I glance up at him, and his eyes wide in surprise as he takes in the sight of the bubbles.

"I didn't expect someone with your rugged build, to have a fondness for bubble baths," he says, raising an eyebrow.

I see the mischievous glint in his eyes, and I'm prepared for the teasing that's about to come. As he speaks, a familiar pang of self-doubt creeps in, and I feel my defences rising. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself before responding. "I don't think there's anything wrong with a bit of self-care," I say, trying to sound calm and rational. "I bought this from the market a couple of weeks ago,on a sunny afternoon when I was feeling particularly stressed. If you don't want to use it, that's fine – I'm happy to have it for myself.”

Darcy raises his hands in a playful gesture, his fingers splayed wide as he chuckles, a hint of mirth in his voice, and I can tell he's trying to hide his amusement. "Oh, come on, grizzly bear," he says, his eyes twinkling with humour. "I’m only joking with you. I love bubble baths.”

Darcy's words linger in the air, I feel a surge of embarrassment wash over me. My face grows hot with shame as I look away, feeling like I've overreacted. I can sense Darcy's concern, and I know I need to apologise.

I offer a sheepish smile, my words tumbling out in a rush, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to overreact. I guess I just get a little defensive."

Darcy's expression softens, and he rises from the perch, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles. His tone is gentle, but there's a hint of playfulness beneath his words, "None of that, alpha. You're not as hard to read as you think you are. I've been watching you for a while now, and I've noticed your little habits." He pauses, his eyes shining with amusement. "I know that on Friday nights, you like to sit on the sofa with your stitching and watch sappy rom coms. And that every Tuesday, you indulge in a bubble bath, complete with scented candles and a good book." He speaks in a soft, conversational tone, as if sharing a secret. "I'm not here to judge you for that. In fact, I find it rather... endearing."

My thoughts freeze, and my face flames with embarrassment as I stutter out a response. "You've been watching me bathe?" I manage the strangled question, my voice barely above a whisper. Darcy's expression doesn't change, but his eyes glint with amusement, and I feel a flush rise up my neck as I realise how ridiculous I must look. My embarrassment is compounded by the fact that I'm still standing in front of him fully nude, my hair still damp with sweat. I want to sink into the floor.

Darcy's laughter is warm and gentle, and he squeezes me tighter. "Sometimes," he repeats, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he gazes up at me. His tone is soothing, and I feel a sense of relief wash over me as I realise that he's not mocking me or trying to intimidate me. I take a deep breath, trying to process my emotions, and glance back to him, searching for any sign of malice. But his face is soft and kind, and his grip on me remains gentle.

I raise my shoulders in a hesitant gesture, unsure how to respond. The truth is, I'm not entirely sure if I'm bothered by Darcy's admission. I know that he watches me when I take my evening strolls through the woods, his eyes following me as I make my way through the trees. But I never pieced together that he would be watching me inside my home, where I'm most vulnerable. The thought sends a shiver down my spine, and I feel a flutter in my chest as I realise that my private life is not as private as I thought.

“Don’t worry, I gave you privacy for certain things,” he says, his voice low and soothing. He gives me a sly grin, and his eyes sparkle with a hint of mischief. “I'm not one to deny my curiosity, especially when it comes to you." He raises an eyebrow, a hint of playfulness dancing in his eyes, and I can't help but feel a flutter in my chest as I sense the undercurrent of flirtation. "If you know what I mean," he adds, his voice dripping with innuendo.

"You've been watching me jerk off?" A mixture of shock and embarrassment colouring my words. I snort out a laugh, the sound echoing through the bathroom, I feel a flush rise to my cheeks as I try to process this revelation.

Darcy with his chin resting on my chest, grins at me. His red lips pulled tight as his face flushes with a blush. “Yeah, big guy. I’ve watched you wrap those big hands around your cock as your eyes roll to the back of your head.”

I should feel embarrassed, violated even, but I don’t and maybe that’s why Darcy wasn’t more freaked out when I came home from work with his panties shoved in my pocket.

I turn off the taps. The bathroom has steamed up, enveloping us in a warm, misty blanket. The scent of mixed berries wafts through the air, rich and fruity. I glance down at him, my heart pounding in my chest. “What am I going to do with you?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. He looks up at me, his eyes locked on mine, and I feel a shiver run down my spine.

I slide into the bath, feeling the rust-red cast iron envelop my back like a warm hug. The water is warm and inviting, and I let out a contented sigh as I settle in. I reach out to help Darcy climb in beside me, his strong hands holding me tightly as he hoists himself in. The clawfoot bathtub is a sturdy, old-fashioned friend, and I'm grateful for its generous size – my bulky frame fits comfortably with my mate by my side. As we settle in, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. This cabin, with its creaky wooden floorboards and rustic charm, has always been a haven for me. And in this moment, surrounded by the soothing sounds of the water and the scent of camomile wafting from the bubbles, I feel grateful for this little slice of paradise.

Darcy's cheek presses against my shoulder, his breath warm against my skin. “What's with all the mixed berries scented stuff in this place?” he asks, his voice low and soft.

I feel a shiver run down my spine as I turn my head to look at him. “Just something that I enjoy,” I say, trying to keep my emotions in check and then I laugh because it sounds ridiculous now, I think about it. “I’ve always liked sweet scents – candles, air fresheners, even foods. I love it all.”

Darcy's raises an eyebrow. “Ahh, and that has nothing to do with my natural scent?” he asks, his voice dripping with amusement. I feel my face heat up as I realise what he's insinuating.

“I remember the first time I caught a whiff of fruit in your scent. It was like a special fragrance made just for me- I couldn't believe it was actually real. And then, when we met in person, it was like everything clicked into place. You were like a puzzle piece I never knew I was missing. At first, I tried to brush it off as coincidence, but deep down I knew it was more than that. You were made for me, and I was made for you.”

We sit in silence, our bodies entwined as we breathe in the quiet together. The warmth of Darcy's skin seeps into mine, calming my nerves and soothing my soul. I've always thought I was content enough with my solitary life, but now I realise that was just a coping mechanism. The truth is, I've longed for someone like Darcy – someone who understands me without words, who can sense my emotions before I speak them. As we sit here, I feel a sense of belonging wash over me, like I've finally found my missing piece. The way his fingers curve around my hand, the gentle pressure of his body against mine... it's all so intimate, so comforting.

I just hope he feels the same way about me.

I pick up the bar of soap and lather up the bubbles, I'm acutely aware of Darcy's tension, the way his muscles are knotted beneath his skin. I begin to wash him, my fingers tracing the contours of his shoulders as I work out the kinks. He groans in relief as I massage his scalp, his hair slick with shampoo. The warm water and gentle strokes seem to melt away his worries, and I feel a sense of calm wash over me as well. As we continue to clean each other, I can't help but notice the way our bodies respond to each other's touch – the subtle tension in my groin, the gentle hardness that threatens to break free. But we ignore it, content for now to simply enjoy each other's company in this quiet, intimate moment.

After we are clean, Darcy settles onto my lap, his warm breath against my chest. I wrap my arms around him, feeling his relaxed body mould against mine. Darcy's eyes lock onto mine, hisexpression serious. "Can I confess something?" he asks, his voice trembling slightly.