When I walk into the bathroom, my jaw drops. the bathtub is covered in little candles. The scent of Jasmine and Bergamot fills the room and I know it's not just from Killian's close proximity. He filled the water with oils of the most heady combination. I close my eyes and inhale deeply.

When I open them, Killian is staring at me, regarding me curiously.

"How did you have time to get all this?" I ask softly.

He shrugs and says, "I had a maid bring all this up here while we were in the office."

I start to take off my clothes, damp and already sticking to my skin from the steam permeating the air. As I step into the bath, I look back to see Killian still standing there fully dressed, looking awkward and unsure.

"Are you going to join me?"

I groan, my aching muscles rejoicing as I sink lower into the scalding water.

"I wasn't sure if- you said no-"

"I said no funny business. Come in. You need to relax just as much as I do."

After a moment of hesitation, which I pretend not to notice, he takes his clothes off and I scoot forward in the tub, pulling my knees up to my chest to make room for him. He slides in behind me, pushing my already soaking hair over my shoulder, and pulls me to his chest.

My eyes close once more as I relax into him.

Killian's fingers find their way into my wet locks and massage my scalp, eliciting a small moan from me. I'm embarrassed for a moment, but I realize he's seen and heard it all at this point and there's no use in being shy anymore.

I cock my head to the side, pushing into his hand like a dog, causing Killian to chuckle softly.

"Killian?"

"Hmm?"

"How did you know what you smelled like to me?"

I lift my hand to the surface of the water, mindlessly poking at the bubbles there. Killian's eyes follow the path of my fingers, a small smile etches on his face.

"It's all you could think about on the walk back from the lake," he laughs.

I turn around to face him, but still sit close enough that our chests are touching, our noses pressed together.

"And how is it that I can't hear what you're thinking unless you want me to?" I narrow my eyes at him playfully.

"I've had more practice," he brags, trailing his fingers lightly along my naked back. "When you're an alpha, it feels like your thoughts are never your own. Everything you do, think, or say is for the good of your people. After a while, you learn to put up a few walls so you can have some thoughts to yourself."

"But I'd like to know what you think of me. It would be nice to know you're as affected by me as I am by you."

"Trust me, you do. Lavender and honey, by the way."

"What?" I look up at him, confused.

"That's what you smell like to me."

The hand on my back makes its way to the swell of my hip, circling the raised flesh there before gripping it tightly. My stomach clenches, but I hold my resolve. I told him I needed time and I meant it, even if the reasons seem a little hazy under his heated gaze.

He understands without me having to say anything though, probably reading my thoughts no doubt, and doesn't push things further.

We sit in silence for a few minutes. It's so comfortable, I can feel my eyelids getting heavy, and I lay my head back on his chest.

"I'm scared," he says quietly.

So quietly I thought I almost imagined it at first. I look back up at him with furrowed brows.

"Of what?"

"Everything. So much is riding on me. What if I can't keep my pack safe? What if I can't keep you safe?"

He grips my hips tighter to emphasize his words. I laugh lightly at him before grabbing his face gently between my hands.

"I already told you, you don't have to worry about me. And we'll keep your pack safe, too. You're only one person, you can't take all the responsibilities on your shoulders. You have me, and you have Patrick. We're going to win this fight."

He gives me a shy smile and nods his head slightly. I reach back with one hand, still keeping the other one rested on his cheek, and pull the plug to drain the tub.

"Come on. I'm sweating my ass off and we both need sleep."

Killian hops out first and wraps himself in a towel before tossing one at me. The edge of it slaps against the water before I can catch it and I let out a squeal.

I ball it up and throw it back at his face. He throws it back again, this time aiming it too far to the left so that it lands completely in the water.

"Oh, no. I'm afraid that was my only other clean towel," he smirks.

"What a shame," I grin back.

He quirks a curious eyebrow at me as I step out of the tub and make my way over to him. I place my hands at his waist and lean into him, pretending to go for a kiss.

"Guess I'll just have to borrow yours then," I whisper against his mouth as I pull his towel from him.

I wind it up in my hands quickly and slap his ass with it before running out of the room, leaving him standing there naked and in absolute shock. I dry myself off before running the towel through my hair a few times and put on some underwear and one of Killian's oversized t-shirts.

He steps into the room, trying his best to keep his angry face on, but I can tell he's holding back laughter.

"I hope you know you're never getting this shirt back," I smile sweetly at him as I plop into bed.

The sheets are so soft and warm, I can feel myself dozing off instantly. As much as I hate to admit it, Killian was right. His bed is ten times better than mine.

"It looks better on you anyways."

He climbs in next to me. I immediately curl closer into his chest as he wraps his arms around me and places a gentle kiss on my forehead. I'm out in seconds, into one of the best, deepest sleeps I've ever had.

But of course good things never last long.