Kael took the fresh bar of purple lavender soap from Ren's hand. He didn't say another word. He simply dipped the soap into the cool water of the pond, rubbing it briskly between his massive, scarred palms until a thick, fragrant white lather formed.
He moved behind her, pulling her back between his muscular thighs in the waist-deep water.
Kael started with her back. His touch was incredibly gentle, mindful of her much smaller, fragile frame, but the pressure he applied was deep, firm, and thoroughly devastating. His large thumbs pressed flawlessly into the tight, aching knots along her spine and her lower back.
"Oh, sweet mother of..." Ren bit her bottom lip hard, throwing her head back against his shoulder.
