Blue | Rafe Cameron

xxxiii

"I don't think my parents bought me this bathtub with the intention of me sharing it with you, Rafe," I snort, giggling as I blow another bubble from my outstretched palm, smiling as I watch it fly upward, the wind carrying it higher and higher until it eventually popped.

"It might not have been their intention, but I thank them all the same, Princess," Rafe retorts lowly, half-chucking and nestling his head into the crook of my neck, his arms wrapping tightly around me as he peppers kisses on me, and I can feel his smile against my skin.

The water was starting to turn cold now, the once boiling heat that melted and scorched so perfectly against my skin not ten minutes ago was now a warm ember, the endless bubbles cooling and covering every inch of me and Rafe up to our necks.

I smile softly as Rafe runs his warm hands over my arms and then under the water, massaging firmly down my thighs and calves, a content sigh escaping me as I flutter my eyes closed, resting my head against his chest, and melting comfortably into his strong embrace.

"Is the water helping with the soreness?" He muttered against my ear, his breath hot, igniting my skin with need- but I forced it down, forced down the spike in my heart rate as I nodded back to him.

"Yes, I needed this," I replied softly, my hand moving under the water and interlacing with his, glad when he locked his fingers tightly around me, resting it against my thigh, "Thank you, Rafe."

It hadn't taken long after we slept together for the ache and soreness to kick in, a growing throb so different to the one from before began at my core and soon spread into my thighs and stomach, making every movement a sluggish burden.

"You were being stubborn about how much it hurt," Rafe kissed his teeth jokingly, but I could hear the smile on his lips "I could see on your face you were uncomfortable; I figured a hot bath wouldn't hurt, it was nothing. Besides it kind of feels like my fault you're hurting anyway."

I shifted, turning to sit on his muscular thigh, my legs curling in so that my body was half-facing his, my eyes locking onto him now. Even after all this time, I'm still breathless by his beauty, even now I can't help but marvel at how unfairly perfect he is.

I ran my gaze through his damp hair, the colour darkening to a fawn brown from the water and pushed back to showcase the striking blue of his eyes, so vast and mesmerising you could get lost at sea. I trace over the strong bridge of his nose, the swollen pink of his lips, swollen from my kisses, from my lips.

"You're not to blame, Rafe," I sigh, shaking my head at him with a small, admiring smile "Frankly, I like the pain, I like that it reminds me of what happened, that it was real, and if I could I'd remember and feel it every day because I never want to forget this moment." The words are soft, emotion thickening my voice, surprising me, and Rafe's face relaxes, melting into something divine.

"And besides, it's been a while since- It's normal for a little soreness anyway." I see Rafe's brow raise, a humoured smirk tilting his lip at my words, and I immediately look down, my hair falling forward to half-shield my face, to shield my burning cheeks.

"A while?" I hear Rafe muse, amusement lacing his tone and I internally groan when his wet, bubble-covered hand lifts, swiftly tucking the hair back behind my ear and hooking under my chin, smooth as he lifts my gaze back to meet his. "How long's a while, Princess?"

He wasn't being jealous, or possessive, no- he was amused, utterly humoured. I roll my eyes at him, roll my eyes at his lazy smirk, at the stars dancing in his gaze and the thumb that brushes gently back and forth, back, and forth, driving me crazy.

"Come on, Aurora," Rafe coaxes, raising an inquisitive brow at me and I bite my lip as I stare at him "I'm just curious, no ulterior motives, I promise." I scoff out a laugh when he playfully draws an x over his heart, his finger trailing against the damp skin of his chest with childish intent.