Friday Fireworks: Passions Fizzled....aka when the dogs get in the way.

 

 A loud rap on the door jarred Rhys out of his thoughts. 

“Enter,” he ordered loudly.  

The double doors swung open, and a barrage of servants filled the chamber, carrying in a huge copper tub, a smaller copper tub, and steaming buckets of water. They set about filling both, and then filed back out again in a brusque and orderly fashion.  

“All right, boys,” Caden addressed Brutes and Titus, “bath time.” 

Both hounds whined and lay on the towel, paws covering their eyes. Caden leaned forward, pried Titus’ paws from his face, kissed the dog on the snout, and made a few more sounds that Rhys couldn’t identify. Soon Titus slunk across the floor, tail down, to climb into the small tub, eventually followed by Brutes.  

Rhys shucked off his robe and last remaining garment to climb into the tub. He noticed Caden watching him out of the corner of his eye, all the while trying to wash Brutes. It took all his resolve not to smirk in his husband’s direction, but that didn’t stop him from climbing in extra slow and being sure to give Caden something to stare at. Judging by the blush he soon saw creeping across Caden’s cheeks, Rhys was sure he’d done a good job.  

It was late, though, the morning brunch mere hours away, which meant there was little enough time for sleep as it was. The warmth of the water was just making him sleepier, so Rhys made quick work of washing his hair and body, then climbed out to dress. He called to the servants to come change the water so Caden could bathe, too; then he set about drying himself while Caden finished with the hounds.  

Even dripping and muddy, his husband was handsome, his clothes clinging in all the right places, his hair plastered to his head like it had been on the ship. Rhys took the time to enjoy watching him as the tub was refilled and Caden toweled off Brutes and sent both hounds to lie by the fireplace.  

“Does that mean we’ll actually have our bed to ourselves?” Rhys asked hopefully.  

“No. They’ll join us as soon as I climb in.” 

Whatever Rhys was going to say next got lost when Caden stripped and climbed in the tub. It didn’t matter how tired he was, his body began to stiffen at the sight of all that flesh and muscle. If Caden noticed, though, Rhys couldn’t tell; he seemed focused on hurrying through his bath just as Rhys had done.  

Rhys watched as Caden dunked his head beneath the water, then emerged again, lines of water racing down his chest. Caden soaped his hair, and Rhys watched his abs flex as he leaned back to get it all and then ducked beneath the water to rinse it clean. By the time he was done, Rhys was glad he’d climbed into bed because the pool of blankets around his midsection hid the erection he was sporting.  

When Caden stood in the tub, his back to Rhys, with water sliding down his body, Rhys forgot to breathe. Rational thought flew out of his head, and the next few moments were a blur. He was only half aware of his husband climbing into the other side of the bed in just a pair of loose fitting pants that Rhys wanted to snatch off him. He reached for him, only to find Brutes suddenly in the way, the big dog turning around thrice between them before flopping down to sleep. On the other side of Caden, Titus did the same, leaving Rhys to roll over, grumbling about what a long night it would be.  

One by one they fed each other the berries and cream, taking delight in each other’s reactions as they teased and tantalized one another until the treats were gone. Rhys leaned in and kissed Caden, who melted eagerly into the kiss. Their fingers slid into each other’s hair as they leaned into one another, wanting to get closer. Rhys slid his hand down Caden’s back, enjoying the feel of the muscles there, even as his husband let out a low moan.  

It was Caden who finally pulled back, breathless. His eyes were wide and his face just a little red as he looked around at the guards. None of them seemed to have noticed, however; they were too busy keeping watch.  

Rhys was just as breathless. Each kiss was becoming more and more explosive. Like the one in the church, this one had left his thoughts swirling in a hundred different directions. Though he was sure Caden desired him, it was painfully obvious it was going to take time to work through the start they’d had. Especially with those damned dogs in the bed. Rhys almost groaned at the reminder, but there was nothing he could do about it. 

“I-I guess we should eat,” a still slightly breathless Rhys suggested.  

“Y-yes,” Caden stammered. “Wouldn’t want to let all this good food go to waste.”  

Broken Prince, Mismatched Eyes on Amazon. 

Broken Prince, Mismatched Eyes Direct from my  Payhip store

All of his life, Caden DeMott’s mismatched eyes have made him the target of superstition and scorn. Though he is the son of a nobleman, he’s been allowed to run free over the hills and moors, mostly ignored by his family. No one ever thought to inform him that he had been betrothed since infancy, until the day his fiancé, Prince Rhys Gwyther arrived to marry him. Rhys is the prince of the small island country of Mauritania, a land rich in gems, rose oil, and pearls, but poor in skilled artisans and seeds to grow crops. In order to further cement the trade route to the mainland, he’s been sent to marry a man he’s never met, and bring him back to Mauritania. Unfortunately, an accident years before has left Rhys with a lot of emotional baggage and very little trust in strangers. But trust is exactly what Caden and Rhys are going to need if they are to make a life together, and help unravel the mystery of who’s been smuggling valuable gems and pearls off the island. Add in the realization that Caden’s stepmother, Mildred and her island representative, Maxwell, have been importing inferior goods for years, forcing Mauritania to become more dependent on them, and trust becomes even more difficult. Caden possesses the knowledge to finally allow Rhys’ father to unravel the plot to ruin Mauritania, but only if the king and his son are willing to put their faith in Caden’s loyalty to his new home. Something that is difficult to do after Caden is accused of cheating on his marriage vows to Rhys with his guard, Luc. Will Rhys believe him innocent? Or will their marriage be over before it truly has a chance to begin?