Page 93 of A Legacy of the Light

But Reyne has said she will stay by my side, and I hope I will at least get to speak with Tavish during the evening.

The hot water soothes my aches from the ride, and my workouts with Reyne, and a sigh escapes my lips when I step into it. I dip my head back into the water and close my eyes.

The look on Tavish’s face as he took in my body in the meadow flashes unbidden behind my closed eyelids. Remembering how it slowly raked over me from head to toe, lingering on what he could see through my underwear, my pulse starts to spike as if he’s stood before me. I remember how he held my cheek tenderly and gripped my neck harder when he was about to kiss me. How his skin felt so warm beneath my fingers, and how he visibly reacted when I touched him.

My stomach tightens and my nipples pebble beneath the water. Keeping my eyes closed, I trail my hand down my stomach and between my legs. I remember what he said.

I think you’re incredibly beautiful. And I’m going to find it really fucking difficult to forget what your wet body looks like, or how it felt to have you wrapped around me.

I let out a quiet gasp when my fingers make contact with my clit. I lay my head back on the edge of the bath as I slowly circle my sensitive skin.

His words play over and over again in my head, and I can’t stop thinking about how his body fit so perfectly against mine. The way the water ran over his chest and abs. How, when he licked his lips, I wanted to replace his tongue with my own.

I cup my breast with my other hand and roll my nipple between my fingers, releasing another quiet moan. The beginnings of my orgasm start to coil tighter as I play with my clit harder and faster.

I imagine it’s his hands touching me, bringing me closer to the edge. I imagine he’s whispering in my ear how beautiful I look while I writhe with the pleasure he’s giving me. I imagine the soft moan he would make when I tell him I’m about to come, and how he would apply just the right amount of pressure to draw out my orgasm as much as possible. I imagine him removing his fingers from between my legs, slowly putting them into his mouth and groaning when he tastes me.

My orgasm hits me then. I grip the edge of the tub as I ride my hand, eyes squeezed tightly closed. It lasts longer than I expect, wave after wave of pleasure rolling across my body. My back arches as the last of my release powers through me, pushing my breasts above the water, the cooler air brushing along my sensitized skin.

A few ragged breaths leave me as I slump back into the water, coming down from the high, my body well and truly relaxed. I haven’t had an orgasm in almost a year. I just haven’t been interested, and no one has sparked that want. I think Elliot could have, if we had the chance to get to know each other. But the way Tavish looked at me today set something alight in me and made me react to him so viscerally. What I had with Elliot pales in comparison to the way Tavish makes me feel.

I needed to take that edge off so we can get back to being friends. I am going to completely ignore the fact that I visualized him the entire time I brought myself release.

It’s only natural, I assure myself before washing my hair and shaving my legs.

I wrap my hair in a towel and slip into the robe after my bath and perch on the end of the bed to rub in the lotion Reyne left me. A soft floral scent reaches me as I dip my fingers into the tub and rub it into my legs and upper body. The luxurious cream makes my skin feel like the softest of petals.

I would be lost without Reyne. The thought of saying goodbye to her hurts—I’m going to miss her when I have to leave.

Chapter 23

Reyne arrives at six on the dot, dressed in a robe and slippers similar to my own, her arms full of makeup. I open the door wider for her to come in and she hurries into my bedroom.

“I’m so excited for tonight!” she says as she skips toward me, she reminds me so much of Rach.

“I must admit, I’m sort of excited, too, to see more of Seelie culture. Will your parents be there?”

“Aye,” Reyne replies, making us tea. “I’ll introduce you.”

I smile at her and help her make the tea.

“Where’s your dress?” I ask. Mine had been brought to my room after we came back from Cait’s store yesterday.

Reyne snaps her fingers and her gown appears, lying across the back of the sofa. “Can I put this in your wardrobe so it doesn’t get creased?”

“Go ahead.”

Reyne hangs her dress up and I sit on the barstool sipping the tea. She takes a seat next to me and cups the mug in her hands.

“Thank you for leaving me the shaver and lotion. You really do think of everything,” I tell her.

“You need to stop thanking me, lass. But you’re welcome.” She takes a sip and leans on her forearms. “How was your ride with Tavish this morning?” Her question is casual, but I know she’s digging.

“It was great,” I tell her, ignoring her undertone. “I handed his ass to him in a race along the lake.”

“Impressive. Tavish is a strong rider. And fast.”

“Thanks. I used to ride with Granny and she was the best. I know a trick or two.”