Chapter 80

She kicked the bedroom door shut and began removing his armour. He looked over to a large tub in the middle of the room, where swirls of fragrant steam drifted lazily into the air. "When did you get time to arrange this?"
She smiled as she tugged at a troublesome strap. "I asked Leliana to have a chat with one of the maids."
With his armour removed, he stepped into the hot water and sighed happily as he lowered himself. She pulled off her clothes and asked him to scoot forward.
"I'll squash you if you're sitting behind me," Aedan answered.
She chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not so delicate." She climbed in behind him, and he slouched down a little so that his head rested against her shoulder. Grabbing the cloth and soap, she got it as bubbly as possible and washed his chest. "Now lean forward." When he did so, she ran the cloth over his muscular back, appreciating the lines of his body. "My word, you really are delicious, love," she whispered as she gently kissed the nape of his neck.
"Heh, thanks, Angel. You're pretty scrumptious yourself."
"Hah, I'm not sure about that but thanks." She lathered up the cloth again and scrubbed his back. "Now, duck your head, so I can wash your hair." He did so, and Emma's breath caught in her throat when he emerged. Damn! Ever since the iconic scene from Pride and Prejudice, Emma had always appreciated men in water, in fact, she could think of nothing sexier. She kissed the top of his spine, then massaged his scalp with soapy hands, drawing a contented sigh from him.
"Why don't you come and sit in front of me so that I can wash you now?"
She leaned forward and nibbled his lobe. "I'm all right, I've got soap all over me."
He struggled to turn around, but she nudged his shoulder to keep him facing forward.
"I was just checking to see if you had soap on your breasts," he explained.
She looked down and then leaned forward, pressing her bosom against his back. "I do," she whispered, huskily.
Before he could try to look around again, she soaped up her hands and slid them down his firm torso and underneath the water. She cleaned as far as she could, teasing his body with long soapy strokes, but when his breathing sped up, she stood up and climbed out. "Not yet, love," she said holding up a large towel. He grinned and climbed out, planting a firm kiss on her lips.
"So, is this your way of making up for paralysing me?"
She chuckled but shook her head. "No, this is because you've had a very rough day."
He tensed up. "I… I don't want to talk about it."
She moved behind him and rubbed at his shoulders. "I know, and I have a feeling that you're not going to get much sleep, running over everything in your head." She followed the indentation of his spine. "Which is why I'm going to keep you distracted all night, or at least until you fall asleep." Her hands stroked over the rounded cheeks of his buttocks, and she couldn't resist a quick squeeze while she patted off the droplets of water.

Once they were both dry, she led him over to the bed, her eyes sliding to the nightstand where she'd stored her purchases. His hands rested on the curve of her waist, and he pulled her close, leaning down until his lips were a mere breath away from hers. Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, she was catapulted back to their first kiss in Ostagar. That same anticipation thrummed through her body now, along with a huge rush of love for the man in front of her. He closed the distance and his warm lips pressed against hers; his tongue slid between her slightly parted lips, and she opened up to him, welcoming him with her tongue, and a soft sigh. The kiss became a slow, erotic exploration, a gentle build-up of pleasure stoking the need within their bodies. She gently disengaged. "Now, lie down and close your eyes. I have a surprise for you."
Aedan's ardour showed in his grin. "Oh, this should be fun." He followed her instructions and Emma took a moment to enjoy the sight of him naked and stretched out.

She grabbed the corset and stockings, and soon had herself laced up in a froth of black and silver with her long legs encased in black stockings and silver garters. She looked down and decided it would do. Slipping on a pair of black leather heels, she stood beside the bed. "All right, now you can open your eyes."
Aedan's reaction beat all her expectations. "Maker's breath, woman. You are stunning." He climbed off the bed and pulled her to him. His lips found hers in a passionate kiss, his hands sliding over all her curves. "Emma, you are one in a million." His lips caressed her jaw, her ear, her throat and her neck. He picked her up and lowered her to the bed. " An excellent distraction," he murmured as his lips travelled along her clavicle.

She and Aedan made love a few times, talking and fooling around in between. The last time, although perfect as always, Emma had noticed a desperation in his every move, as though he were trying to outrun the darkness that hovered in the shadows of his mind. However, the final round wore him out completely, and he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

-x-

Emma woke to the feel of Aedan tossing and turning beside her. She pushed up onto one elbow, and by the soft glow of the moon, she could make out his tormented expression. Sweat dampened his hair, and his fingers clutched spasmodically at the sheets. She didn't know whether it was safe to wake someone in the grip of a nightmare, so she decided to let it play out. Perhaps if he got through this one, it might prevent any more from happening. She climbed out of bed and padded over to the dressing table where a ceramic bowl and a full jug of cool water sat. After wetting a washcloth, she returned to Aedan. The occasional word fell from his lips, she could make out enough to know that he was reliving the moment when he'd had to leave his parents. She wiped his face, and tears stung her eyes when he turned into her touch, seeking a modicum of comfort in his nightmare. It was a brief respite, however, and then the horrors of his sleep dragged him back into the depths of despair. She watched over him for ten minutes; and then suddenly, he shot upright, an anguished cry on his lips - his breath leaving his body in harsh, shuddering gasps as he shook with the force of the unpleasant memories. Remembering her own nightmares, she gave him some space but kept a hand on his back – a gentle reminder that he wasn't alone.
"It's all right, Aedan." Blimey, what did you say to someone who'd just relived the slaughter of their family? Any words would sound trite.
"Emma…" The word croaked out through dry lips.
She stroked his back. "I'm here, love." Emma leaned over to the nightstand to get him a glass of water, but before she could reach it, his hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her into a tight embrace. He buried his head into the curve of her neck, and his shoulders shook with silent sobs as he held onto her. With all her might, she wished to take away his pain, but that wasn't an option, so she did the next best thing, and held him close, stroking his hair while murmuring those same inane words that she'd earlier dismissed as useless.

At length, his body relaxed, and she pulled him down to the mattress, his head resting against her breast and one arm encircling her waist; moments later his breathing slowed down, and she knew he'd fallen asleep. She hoped this time he'd be unencumbered by any more nightmares.