Aldric locked eyes with her, a mischievous glint dancing in his gaze. "I couldn’t care less about your condition," he remarked, his tone laced with playful daring, "as long as you keep those hands on me."
Islinda’s pulse quickened, a throbbing sensation building between her knees. She realized, with a sinking feeling, that she was in for trouble yet again. When had she ever learned her lesson about being around Aldric? And in such an intimate setting as a washroom, no less? She must truly be a glutton for punishment.
"Fine," she managed, struggling to steady her breath, "I’ll do my best to maintain professionalism in... touching—" Her words trailed off as Aldric casually stripped down to his underwear, leaving little to the imagination.
"Father of all Faes," Islinda murmured, swallowing hard as she drank in the sight before her, her chest rising and falling with each deep breath. If the gods had any mercy, they’d intervene because Aldric was surely going to be the death of her.
Her eyes traced the intricate runes adorning his chest and back, the lines seeming to writhe with a life of their own, stopping just shy of his neck. She couldn’t help but wonder about their significance and if Aldric could decipher their secrets. Her throat constricted as she followed the contours of his toned abdomen, her gaze lingering where they disappeared beneath his underwear, her mouth suddenly dry.
When her gaze connected with Aldric’s, the intensity of his knowing stare sent a shiver down her spine. She felt exposed, as if he could see straight through to her innermost thoughts, and her cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment. Before she could muster a coherent response, he tilted his head and spoke, his voice dripping with teasing amusement, "Enjoying the view?"
Aldric didn’t stop there.
With a mischievous smirk, he continued, "Seems I don’t need to obscure the view anymore."
With a casual yet deliberate movement, he peeled off his underwear, revealing his sculpted buttocks in all its glory. Islinda’s breath hitched in her throat as her eyes widened, unable to tear herself away from the shocking sight before her.
But the shock was nothing compared to when her gaze trailed lower, beholding his impressive, throbbing member. Islinda’s mind raced, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions swirling within her. She was both terrified and exhilarated, her pulse pounding in her ears as she grappled with the sudden turn of events. What in the world was going in?
Aldric’s piercing gaze bore into her, his lips quirking at her stunned expression. Without a word, he gracefully lowered himself into the bath, a contented moan escaping his lips as the warmth enveloped him. Leaning back, he rested his head against the edge of the tub, the picture of relaxed indulgence, every inch the prince he believed himself to be.
Turning his attention to the still-frozen Islinda, a dark amusement danced in his eyes. "What’s the holdup, little human? Ready to fulfill your end of the bargain, or have you suddenly found yourself overcome with fear?"
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