Page 57 of Dark Princess Ascending

His pants joined his shirt on the floor, and he couldn't help but notice how Morelle's gaze dropped to admire his naked form.

As he stepped into the tub behind her, the warm water enveloped him like a caress, and as Morelle settled back against his chest, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

"This is nice," she murmured, laying her head back on his shoulder.

"Very nice," he agreed, pressing a kiss to her temple. The sweet scent of her shampoo mingled with the steam rising from the water, creating an intimate cocoon around them.

He ran his hands up and down her arms, marveling at the silky texture of her skin. He was hard, and he knew she could feel his erection poking her bottom, but he didn't intend to start anything unless she initiated it. Morelle needed his support tonight, and that's what he was doing. If she needed anything else from him, all she had to do was ask or just throw a hint.

He was easy.

"I love you," Morelle said suddenly, turning her head to look up at him. "I like saying that."

Brandon tightened his arms around her. "And I love hearing that. I love you too, my princess." He kissed her shoulder. "You've completely changed my life."

She shifted in his arms to face him more fully. "Changed in what way? For the better, I hope?"

"Infinitely better." He traced a droplet of water down her cheek. "You've brought light and joy and wonder into my world. And yes, some complications,too—but that just makes things more interesting. I wouldn't change a single thing about you."

"Even my questionable abilities?"

"Especially those." He grinned. "They're part of what makes you uniquely you. Besides, I meant what I said earlier—your ability could be incredibly useful in the right circumstances."

"I'm starting to believe that," she admitted. "Especially after seeing how everyone reacted. Even Kian seemed more interested than concerned. I dreaded his reaction the most. He's so protective of his mother and his whole community."

"He was intrigued because he saw the potential." Brandon ran his fingers through her wet hair, loving how it was growing out. "And he trusts you to use your gift responsibly."

"I just hope I can learn to control it." She closed her eyes. "I don't want to accidentally drain someone's power when they need their energy, or to expend too much of my own and harm myself."

"Amanda will figure it out." He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. "After you explain to her what you are really dealing with, she will know how to approach it. She might not look it, but she's a very smart lady."

Morelle's eyes popped open. "Why do you say she doesn't look smart?"

"The first impression people have of her is that of a frivolous socialite, but that's just the façade shewears for whatever reason, and you wouldn't know what that means, so forget I said it. The important thing is that she can help you develop proper control."

Morelle nodded, and then a small smile curved her lips. "You know what else I need to learn better control of?"

"What's that?"

Instead of answering, she straddled his lap, sending water sloshing against the sides of the tub. Her hands came up to frame his face as she leaned in to kiss him.

Brandon groaned into the kiss, his hands sliding down to grip her hips. The warm water made her skin impossibly silky under his palms, and the way she moved against him was rapidly driving coherent thought from his mind.

When she finally pulled back, they were both breathing heavily. "That," she said with a grin. "Though I think I'm getting better with practice."

"Much better," he agreed, his voice rough. "Though I think you might need more practice just to be sure."

As he pulled her down for another kiss, her delighted laugh echoed off the bathroom tiles. The water splashed around them, but Brandon couldn't have cared less about the mess they were making.

34

MORELLE

As their bodies started to slide against each other, the heat turned into an inferno, but fire and water didn't go well together, and the bathtub wasn't where Morelle wanted her first time to happen.

"I think we should get out." She put her hands on Brandon's chest and pushed back. "We can continue this dance in bed."

His eyes were glowing like a pair of stars, and his fangs were almost fully elongated.