[SE] let the worries melt away

Zavien

Fear is pain arising from the anticipation of evil.

On a high of playful chases and minor victories, her expression had him wanting to melt, passion and affection heating his veins as he admired the flush of her cheeks, the deep brown of her eyes swallowing every bit of apprehension in one fell swoop. It was immediately intoxicating, his thoughts revolving only on her and the need to eliminate every piece of clothing between them - something he'd thought on before but never allowed himself to act on until now. He chuckled, wondering why he'd waited so long as he dipped his head to her ear, the murmur thick with the heat of shared anticipation. "I would love to." Then he kissed her again, deep and wanting as his hands moved.

This time he didn't hesitate. His thumbs hooked on the elastic of her pants, slowly teasing them over the curve of her hips, fingers brushing lightly over the new skin they revealed, soft and caressing like each inch was something he planned to map out later. It wasn't that he was ignoring her question, but his mind was otherwise occupied by his careful stripping of her, moving his mouth down to her shoulder as the pants fell to the floor in a quiet rustle through the sound of flowing water. He'd mostly forgotten about the bath, calloused hands roaming gently along her hips and waist as he smiled, moving farther with each pass of his fingers. "Have I ever told you how beautiful you are?"