The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 10

Chapter 10

“Come help me with a massage.”

I bit down on the inside of my cheek, desperate to stop my mouth from dropping open. I had no clue where I was supposed to look. Standing frozen in the bathroom doorway, my cheeks burned hotter and hotter with every passing second.

Alexander was completely naked, and I felt utterly lost about where to direct my gaze. It seemed wrong to stare at him in such a vulnerable state, yet I couldn’t deny my curiosity was pulling me in.

From everything I could tell, Alexander wasn’t the kind of man to feel embarrassed or shy about his body. And honestly, why would he be?

He was breathtakingly sculpted—each muscle perfectly defined, as if carved from the finest marble. I scolded myself silently for openly gawking. At this point, my lingering stare had definitely crossed the line from casual observation to something more intense.

My eyes started at his neck, tracing the strong lines of his shoulders, then slowly moved down the contours of his chest and torso. A few scars marked his skin, but none seemed recent. His abdomen was taut and firm, clear proof that even now he kept up with his exercise routine.

Gradually, my gaze drifted lower… Oh, God…

The warmth that had been radiating through my cheeks began to spread further down. Thanks to the frothy bubbles from the bath the maids had prepared, Alexander managed to maintain a shred of modesty.

But it wasn’t much. I could still make out the unmistakable outline of his manhood just beneath the soapy surface. I bit my bottom lip, trying to hold back a flush of embarrassment and desire.

The bathroom was softly lit, filled with the scent of delicate, expensive oils and lotions. And there he was—completely naked—my husband. The entire scene was dripping with sensuality, and for a fleeting moment, I longed to lose myself in it.

I wanted to forget everything that had happened in the last few hours. I wanted to spend the evening exploring this man, learning every inch of him with my hands. All the fear and worry that had gripped me melted into the background. Now, all I wanted was to feel him beneath my touch.

My feet moved forward almost of their own accord, as if some invisible force was pulling me closer. My eyes never left him, fighting the urge to reach out and touch.

Nervously, I stepped closer and moved around the side of the tub until I was kneeling behind him. Alexander shifted forward slightly, giving me access to his broad back and tense shoulders.

Just as I placed my hands on his skin, ready to massage, I hesitated. Where was this night headed? With Liam, though we had kissed, we never took things further. He had always known I wanted to save myself for my wedding night. But that was then… and this was now.

Alexander must have sensed my uncertainty because he glanced over his shoulder at me.

“What’s holding you back?” he asked quietly. “I thought you admired me and wanted to take care of me.”

Looking into his calm, searching eyes, I realized this might be another test. Words mean nothing without actions to back them up. I needed to pull myself together.

It was just a massage, after all. Right?