Filed To Story: Destined Bond with My Forbidden Alpha Novel (Alpha Alexander & Selene)
The master bedroom had its own bathroom, larger than she had expected. Two sinks, with matched sets of toothbrushes, soaps, and basic toiletries. There was a large linen closet filled with fluffy towels and two robes that hung on the outside of the door. The toilet was in its own separate room, while there was a large standing shower with a bench and two removable shower heads.
But the feature that had made Alice tilt her head and look at Axel with a confused smile had been an oversized freestanding copper soaking tub. When she had asked him about it, he had shrugged with a slight blush creeping into his cheeks. He told her he had found long ago that a warm bath could calm his nerves and help him think through the things that left him feeling shaken.
During all the time they had lived here together, Alice had never once used it.
She stepped into the bathroom wearing only her robe, her hair loose, falling just above her shoulders. It was warmer than their bedroom had been. The tub was already filled, and a gentle sweetness in the air told her Axel had likely used some kind of fragrance in the water.
As she stepped closer to the tub, the gentle scent of roses tickled her nose, and she could see red petals floating on the water’s surface.
She smiled, reaching her hand in and feeling the warmth of the water.
Alice removed her robe, placing it on a small rack beside the tub, which also held the towel she would use to dry herself when she was done. Then, she carefully stepped into the tub. Immediately, the hot water against her skin sent small relaxing ripples of warmth over her body.
As she settled into the water, she laid her head back on the small towel Axel had left on the side of the tub. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Alice had never experienced something like this before. She had never had a bath in her life, only quick showers meant to clean her body, except, of course, for the ones that she had taken with Axel, which were hardly meant to clean anything.
But as far back as she could remember, no matter who the role was, she had never just taken a bath for relaxation or warmth. It was nice.
After a few minutes, she heard the door open. She opened her eyes to look at him as he entered the room. Immediately, she was surprised and disappointed. She assumed that his entering the bathroom meant he planned to join her. That they would make up in the way, they best knew how, through touch and pleasure.
But as he walked into the room, it was clear that was not the case. He had taken his braids out, so all his hair hung loose past his shoulders, but he didn’t wear a robe. Instead, he wore lounge pants and a t-shirt.
Alice swallowed as he approached without a word. Then, from behind the bathtub, he pulled out a small stool, placing it at the head of the tub, where she lay back watching him.
“Is the water warm enough?” Axel asked but didn’t quite meet her eyes.
Alice nodded and swallowed nervously.
“You could come in,” she offered, “feel for yourself.”
Axel let out a soft chuckle. He stretched his arm out over the side of the tub, reaching in just enough to let his fingertips dip into the water.
He nodded.
“Feels warm,” he replied.
Alice didn’t know what to say. He had ignored her offer; she could only assume he didn’t want to be with her. She swallowed and looked away. Her hand absentmindedly played with one of the rose petals.
Axel watched her expression from the corner of his eye and saw her concern, hesitation, and fear. He saw the petals she played with.
“Do you know why people put rose petals in baths?” he asked.
Alice looked at him and then back at the rose petal she held between her fingers.
“No,” she replied.
“Sit forward,” he said gently.
Alice hesitated for a moment but then did as he asked. She leaned forward, bringing her knees up so that her chest was pressed to them and her back was exposed to him.
Axel reached his hand into the water, bringing a handful up to her shoulders. He poured it over her, letting it flow gently down her back.
Alice closed her eyes, resting her chin on her knees as the warmth fell over her.
He reached for another handful of water, this time with a petal. He again poured the water over her back, and the petal stayed against her skin, clinging to her spine.
“It soothes the skin,” he whispered.
Axel reached out and pressed his thumb gently against the petal on her back. Alice let out a soft gasp, surprised at the touch.
“When the petals soak, they release their natural oils and create rosewater,” he said, placing another petal against her back. He massaged them gently against her skin. “Which is known to soothe the skin and enhance the mood.”
Alice drew in a deep breath. She closed her eyes and felt the warmth of the water that surrounded her. The strength of his hands kneaded at the sore muscles in her back.
Axel continued to massage her back until he felt the tension in her easing. Then, he slowly moved his hands back to her shoulders, gently squeezing and kneading them as she let out soft breaths and gentle moans, letting him know where it felt best.
“Axel,” she called to him softly.
“Yes?”
“Why are you doing this?” she asked.
“I wanted to warm you up and help you ease your mind,” he replied simply.
Alice sat back against the tub, not allowing him a chance to remove his hands. Instead, they moved over her shoulders and down her chest. By the time she had laid back with her head resting on the small towel and looking up at him, his hands lay on her breasts in the water, his fingertips almost grazing her firm nipples.
Axel swallowed and licked his lips. He looked down at her; a gentle expression was on her face. One he had only seen once or twice. An expression of vulnerability, of honesty.
He couldn’t help himself. He leaned forward and kissed her lips gently. Alice returned his kiss, stretching her mouth toward him as he pulled away.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. Then, sitting up straight and pulling his hands away from her body. “This is supposed to be about helping you relax and process some of what you’ve been feeling.”
“What about you?” Alice asked.
“What?”
“You also have a lot on your mind,” she said. “And not just about me.”
He nodded.
“That’s true,” he sighed, running his fingers through his hair.
Alice turned in the water and laid her chin on the tub’s edge, smiling at him.
“Axel…” she whispered with a sultry lilt in her voice. “Don’t we do our best thinking together?”
Axel smirked. He leaned forward and brought his face to hers, looking into her gold and chocolate eyes.
“Yes,” he whispered. “We do.”
Alice bit her lower lip and smiled. A fluttering relief in her belly as she thought he would accept, and she could fill his thoughts with something other than doubts and questions.
“Then join me,” she replied softly.
Axel tilted his head and looked at her with a gentleness that made her breath hitch. He reached his hand up and pushed her hair back behind her ear.
“Not until your heart has calmed and your mind has settled.”
Alice tilted her head against his hand in a pout.
“How is my heart supposed to be calm when you’re so close and yet so far.”
Axel smiled and leaned forward, pressing his head to hers in a gentle nuzzle.
“Do you think I don’t know the beat of your heart?” he whispered against her ear. “The way it hums when you are peaceful. Thumps when you’re scared. Do you think I haven’t memorized that strong beat that only plays for me?”
Their temples rested against each other as he spoke. Alice inhaled his comforting and intoxicating scent. The sweet and musky air touched every one of her senses.
“I know your heartbeat better than my own,” he whispered. “I know when you want me and when you want to distract me.”
Alice felt a chill run down her spine.
She swallowed and turned away.
Axel sat back on the stool. Alice glanced in his direction, expecting to see anger or at least disappointment. But instead, that gentle expression, that calm and tender look, gazed back at her.
She let out a soft sigh and turned in the water, laying her back against the tub and resting her neck on the towel light before.
Alice closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The subtle but sweet scent of the rosewater twirled in her nose. She allowed it to roll over her as she tried to calm her fears and worries.
“How long were you listening to Myka and me?” she asked.
“Not long,” Axel replied without hesitation. “I heard you tell him about a conversation you and I had not long after you came back to me.”
Alice swallowed. Suddenly feeling very naked in front of him.
Axel felt the fear in her, the quickening of her heart, and how she pulled away from him. He reached out, placing his hands on her shoulders. Almost instantly, she began to relax.
Feeling the warmth of his hand, the connection through their touch. Alice felt relieved and also irritated.
“No,” she said, sitting forward and crossing her arms over her chest.
“What is it?” Axel asked with concern.
“It’s not fair,” she said. “If I can’t touch you, you can’t touch me either.”
Axel sighed.
“Alice, I was trying to help you ease your mind.”
“I know,” she said, looking back at him, “and you know that with you, in your arms, is when I feel at ease.”
“Yes, but… Alice, we need to talk, to be open about whatever it is that is hanging between us. I don’t need to be distracted from that conversation, and you don’t need to avoid it.”
Alice swallowed. She knew he was right, and though that had been her plan, it wasn’t anymore. She didn’t want to have the conversation. Instead, she wanted to lose themselves in their passion and forget her doubts and fears.
But even more than that, she wanted to continue to feel that open connection with him. That honest bond they shared. And that wouldn’t be possible without addressing those fears.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?