Chapter 99: The Gentle Bath [Part 2]

"I love you."

The words remained suspended in the silence between them, delicate and beautiful. An uncontainable smile spread across Victor’ s face.

"I love you too, Little Lane."

They kissed.

Softly.

Gently.

Their mouths pressed sweetly together, craving the taste of each other as they pressed as if their very mouths could fuse together like a p u z z l e. The warm water swirled around, the steam rose like a lover’s sigh.

And in that moment.

Everything was perfect.

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This was all they did; they were in the tub for what felt like hours, just, hugging.

Neither of them said a word.

There was no need to.

There was a silence between them, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was soft and settled, and filled with the understanding that they knew enough about each other to not need to speak.

Lane rested her head against Victor’s chest.

His heartbeat was pounding under her ear.

Steady.

Calm.

Something about that simple rhythm, for some reason, gave her a sense of security.

Victor embraced her with his arms. They remained quiet while he held her tightly. His chin settled softly on the top of her head.

The smell of lavender lingered in the warm air.

They had time for the water to get to its temperature, the water had cooled down a bit, but they didn’t look like they were going anywhere.

A pale radiance shimmered on the bathroom walls. It glittered on the water and added to the tranquility of the silent room.

Time passed.

Neither noticed exactly how much.

Eventually, Victor broke the silence.

"We’re not comfortable with it getting cold. We need to leave."

Lane let out a quiet sigh.

She clearly wasn’t ready to leave yet.

"I suppose so."

Victor smiled faintly.

He moved first.

Carefully, he pushed himself to the edge of the tub. The water slid off his body and pooled around his feet.

He grabbed a towel and dried himself and then put the towel tightly around his waist.

Then he turned back toward Lane.

"Come here."

He extended his hand.

Hooked on: Lane glanced at it before placing her hand in his.

Victor helped her out of the tub.

She stepped onto the floor, water dripping from her hair and body.

Victor paused for half a second.

She looked beautiful in the soft light.

Her black hair were damp and so heavy that some strands rest themselves on the top of her cheeks. The delicious blush on her cheeks were still visible from the hot bath.

Lane noticed his gaze.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

Victor quickly reached for another towel.

He draped it around her shoulders and tenderly set about drying her.

He started with her hair.

He slowly wrung out the remaining water from the dark hair, avoiding to snag or pull the locks.

Then came the shoulders and arms, dried with gentle pats.

His movements were slow and careful.

Lane simply stood there and watched him.

He had a weirdly tender way of taking care of her.

Her eyes softened.

"Young Master," she said quietly.

"Hm?""You’re spoiling me."

A faint blush spread across her cheeks.

Victor looked at her.

"Good."

He gave her a small smile.

"You deserve to be spoiled."

Lane’s lips curved upward.

She just looked at him for a moment.

Then she reached for another towel.

"If that’s the case..."

She stepped closer.

"...then I’ll spoil you too."

Victor raised an eyebrow.

Before he could get a word in, she started to dry him.

She started with his chest.

Her movements were gentle and unhurried.

Then she shifted to his arms and shoulders, gently removing the still-damp water.

She even lowered herself slightly to dry off his legs, then stood up.

Finally, she reached up toward his hair.

His black locks were still damp.

Lane pulled the towel over them and gave it a gentle squeeze to wring the water out.

"There."

She paused and looked at her work with satisfaction.

"All dry."

Victor looked at her for a moment.

Then he smiled.

He didn’t say anything.

He didn’t need to.

A smile from him softened Lane’s expression.

Then she put the clothes in the storage ring.

She had left them there when they came into his room last night.

She pulled out her robe.

It was black; with subtly coarse but graceful shapes.

She slipped it around her waist and fastened it tightly.

After she got dressed she looked to the wardrobe.

Her eyes landed on Victor.

Without saying anything, she walked over.

She entered the wardrobe and looked at it.

Any second now, she took out Victor’s robe.

It was black as well.

Golden dragon embroidery stretched cross the material, making the mundane outfit looked regal and threatening.

Lane was about to enter at the request of her.

"Young Master, let me help you."

Victor looked at her.

Then he nodded.

Lane held the robe open.

Victor slipped his arms through the sleeves.

She carefully pulled the fabric into place.

Her fingers adjusted the collar.

She adjusted the robe over his shoulders to make sure all the folds were settled.

It was such a simple gesture.

But there was, oh how private it was.

Lane looked at him afterward.

Her eyes lingered on his face.

Then she smiled playfully.

"There."

She waved the collar into place once more.

"Now you resemble my charming Young Master."

Victor chuckled softly.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Thank you, Little Lane."

Lane’s cheeks warmed.

A smile threatened to escape her lips, but she looked away for a second.

Victor reached for her hand.

Their fingers intertwined naturally.

Together, they walked out of the bathroom.

Neither of them hurried.

You could still feel the heat of the bath on their skin.

And more important than that, the gentle, well-hidden tenderness persisted.

Together, they entered the room.

Their hearts felt lighter.

And for that short while, nothing else seemed to matter.