Page 52 of Save a Wish

“You stay here in the warm water,” I said. “I’ll hop out and get the tub filled.”

“Okay.”

I lifted my hand to push the stall door open, but Sadie’s arms wrapping around my waist and her naked body pressing against my backside made me pause.

“Thank you, Beckett.” Her voice was so soft, and I had the sense she was trying not to cry. “Thank you for treating me like something to worship instead of something to possess. There’s a big difference and I appreciate your respect.”

That made my heart ache.

Without turning around, I put my hands over hers where they were clasped at my stomach. “Who didn’t respect you?” Because I wanted to beat that douchebag bloody.

Sadie drew in a breath, giving me a little squeeze before releasing me. “It doesn’t matter now. He’s out of my life for good.”

I looked over my shoulder at her. “I’d still like to make sure he knows the way he treated you was shitty.”

She pressed a kiss to my shoulder then nudged me toward the door. “Go fill the tub. I want Stage Two.”

So did I so I obliged, but I made a mental note to ask more about this dickwad who had obviously hurt Sadie.

How fucking dare he?

Although, I supposed it worked out for me that he didn’t know what a gift Sadie was. Now I got to enjoy her company.

When the tub was filled with hot, soapy, lavender-scented water, I opened the stall door.

“Stage Two awaits, my dear.” I flourished a hand toward the tub.

Sadie stepped out of the shower, her nose tipping up. “Is that lavender?”

I nodded. “Vanessa grows it in her butterfly garden and always makes these bath sachets you can toss in the tub.” I pointed to a stash of them in a basket on one of the shelves above the toilet. “She makes lavender soap, oil, and candles too.”

“I’d love to incorporate lavender into my offerings,” Sadie said. “It’s so calming.”

“I’m sure Vanessa can hook you up,” I said.

“That would be lovely.” She eyed the tub as she drew in a deep breath. “I feel more tranquil already.”

I was glad to hear that because remembering a former relationship had the potential to bring her down and I wanted Sadie to only feel wonderful tonight.

We both lowered into the tub and I turned on the jets so the water gently massaged us. The low hum that emanated from Sadie told me she liked that feature. Her eyes were closed as she rested her head on the rim of the tub. Her red hair was bright against the white of the tub and the soap suds. Her pale skin gave her an ethereal glow and that dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks reflected an innocence that made me want to save her from anything that might try to harm her.

This protective instinct wasn’t something I’d felt for anyone outside my family, but it was there now—for Sadie.

She opened her eyes as if knowing I was admiring her. With a small grin tilting up her lips, she lifted a hand out of the water and curled a finger at me.

I immediately scooched closer, my legs going to either side of her body as I drew her in toward me.

Sadie snaked her legs over my hips and wrapped them around my waist. This brought my erection up against her core and my dick loved everything about that. The heat of the water and of Sadie amplified my arousal and I glided my hands along her legs, up her sides, hooking one on her neck and drawing her in so I could reach her magnificent mouth.

We kissed for long, time-stopping moments. Each stroke of our tongues ignited a new flame between us. The longer we kissed, the longer I wanted to kiss, which was different for me. Being a guy who loved the speed of technology, I generally didn’t do well with being patient. I wanted things to happen now.

But kissing Sadie was something I wanted to savor. Something I wanted to memorize every aspect of so I could replay it in my mind when Sadie wasn’t around.

Which I hoped wouldn’t be often. I was quickly becoming addicted to this woman and I was certain that after this second stage in the tub, I was going to crave her around the clock.

We kissed for a few more moments then Sadie broke away. Her dazed look only made me want her more and I was certain I had an identical expression on my face.

“Kissing you makes me feel a little drunk, Beckett.” She cupped my cheeks as she met my gaze. “But now I’d like to get a lot drunk.”