The Spymaster's Protection by S A Monk

Author:S A Monk [S A Monk]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B008242HCA
Published: 2012-05-08T14:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

“Lucien, there it is!” Gabrielle cried with delight. “We have finally found it.”

He laughed, thinking he had not laughed so much in as long as he could remember; maybe not even as a boy growing up on the war-torn frontiers of southern Iberia. “So, we have, Gabi. Finally, we will enjoy a warm bath.”

They had searched the extensive cavern the past couple of hours and found the tiny warm pool in the farthest reaches, it seemed. The room was small, but tall enough to stand in. Without the torch, it would have been completely dark.

Lucien stuck it in a crevice close to the pool and began undressing. Gabrielle took her cue from him. Since he removed all his clothing, she did, too. He had already tested the water to make sure it was not too hot. After laying their garments on a flat-topped rock, they went into the water together. Lucien held her hand tightly, helping her find her footing. Thankfully, the water was not too deep and there was a partially submerged rock ledge on which to sit.

Gabrielle did not really know how to swim, so she let Lucien test the depth of the center of the pool while she sat down to watch him. When he got to the middle, he disappeared below the dark surface so suddenly, she cried out in alarm, thinking he had been pulled under or lost his footing in a hole.

She was on the verge of diving in after him when he broke the surface with a laugh. She then realized that he had simply played a trick on her and scolded him with a swipe of water that splashed him in the face.

“That was cruel! I thought something was truly amiss!”

He stood, and she saw that the water came to his armpits. “I am sorry, fair lady. I could not resist teasing you a bit. This is as deep as it gets.”

She watched him rake his long black hair back from his brow with both hands. The play of muscles the movement caused across his chest and biceps transfixed her. It stirred to life desires that had last been sated but hours ago. “What is the source of the hot water?” she asked with breathless curiosity.

He walked toward her, and she was next captivated by the increasing exposure of his magnificent body. “It is a small crevice at the bottom of the pool. It is probably an underground spring that bubbles up into this small rocky depression.” He gave her a wickedly mischievous grin. “You must come get completely wet with me.”

“I cannot swim.”

“And yet you were ready to rescue me?”

“How could I not?”

“Indeed,” he responded, lifting her into his arms. “I will keep you safe.”

Gabrielle knew he meant from drowning, but she took his words more deeply, knowing with the strictest certainty that as long as he lived, he would protect her from harm. Except when her mother was alive, no one had ever done that for her.

In the middle

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