“Is it an offer?” Andreas’ gaze shifted as he raised an eyebrow and asked with a hint of a grin on his face.
Vlora chuckled in amusement. “It could be considered an offer or an invitation. It depends on how you see it.”
Andreas scowled as he processed her answer. It sounded familiar, and it took him a few seconds to remember it, then he burst into a hearty laugh.
“You’re turning the tables on me, Vlo,” Andreas said, shaking his head with an amused expression. “You’re giving it back to me.”
Vlora scooped up some of the foam surrounding them and placed it on Andreas’ shoulders, then began to rub it in gently.
“I have a tendency to return everything I receive,” Vlora whispered, giving Andreas a meaningful look. “You could say it’s a hobby of sorts. It feels pleasant.”
“What? What’s enjoyable? Is it pleasant to rub foam on my body?” Andreas chuckled.
Vlora laughed, “No, it’s not the foam.”
Vlora’s hand continued to explore Andreas’ body. On the other hand, Andreas gently stroked Vlora’s cheeks. His eyes always reflected fascination.
“I never thought you could laugh so freely, Vlo.”
It was not just her fingers that roamed Andreas’ body, Vlora’s eyes scanned him like sensors, watching the movements of his hands with curiosity. It was as if she was taking in every detail of the man who had become her husband. It seemed she had to know everything, and surprisingly, she found the activity quite enjoyable.
“There isn’t much left in my life. I have no reason to laugh, especially when my life has always been so serious. Isn’t it strange that I laugh now for no reason?”
Andreas shook his head. “Even when we’re in the bathtub, you can still argue, my dear.”
Vlora’s hands continued to move. Now they were behind Andreas’ shoulders.
“Do you mind?” she asked.
“Not at all. Please, share all your arguments, and I’ll gladly listen,” he replied.
“It’s not about the arguments, but…” Vlora smiled. “… would you mind if I rise a bit? I want to massage your back.”
“Ah!”
Andreas shook his head again, this time amused by Vlora’s words. However, he still granted Vlora’s request.
Andreas arched his back, which had been casually leaning against the bathtub. He still held Vlora’s waist and noticed a subtle movement in his lap. Vlora shifted and came closer.
Vlora’s face landed on Andreas’ right shoulder. Her hands slid down Andreas’ broad back, massaging it repeatedly.
“I never thought that taking a bath could be such a pleasant activity,” Andreas commented.
In silence, a thin smile formed on Vlora’s lips.
“Even more surprising is that you seem to enjoy this marriage more than I imagined, including relaxing in the bathtub with me.”
Vlora let out a long sigh, finishing her exploration of Andreas’ back. She drew back a little and looked at Andreas.
“Of course, I thought about a few things before I accepted your offer.”
Andreas grinned. “Could you replace that with ‘proposal’?”
Vlora’s laughter filled the air. Nevertheless, she nodded.
“Before I accepted your proposal,” Vlora corrected playfully, “I understood that there might be some things that come with marriage. Some things that are meant for married life.”
Andreas grinned. “You are incredibly logical for a woman, Vlora.”
Vlora’s shoulders shrugged briefly, but she nodded and continued.
“One of them is intimacy. Maybe even relaxing in the bathtub with your spouse. After all, if not with his wife, with whom else would a husband be intimate?”
Logical, yet endearing. Andreas couldn’t help but playfully squeeze Vlora’s waist.
“Very true,” Andreas agreed. “And if not with her husband, with whom else should a wife be intimate?”
“Besides,” Vlora seemed a little hesitant to speak. Curiosity led Andreas to inquire further.
“Besides?” he asked.
Vlora looked at Andreas, her eyes reflecting a hint of unfamiliar emotion.
“Besides, I have to be honest and admit it. You’re the perfect lover.”
Wow! This compliment surprised Andreas.
“Perfect?” he asked.
Momentarily stunned, Vlora nodded confidently. “It’s logical to say that not many men make sure their partners enjoy their intimacy as much as you do. You’re mature and understanding.”
What was that? Had fireworks gone off in Andreas’ head? He could not deny it, he felt like walking on clouds.
Andreas narrowed his eyes. He did not utter a word in response to the soaring compliment. Instead, he just stared at Vlora with an inscrutable expression.
Their eyes locked, and Vlora wondered why Andreas remained silent.
“Is it an offer?” When he finally spoke, Andreas managed to make Vlora take a deep breath. The atmosphere around them seemed to change when Andreas’ husky voice sounded.
“It could be considered an offer or an invitation. It depends on how you see it.”
It was the most appropriate response to Andreas’ actions. One of his hands that had been on Vlora’s waist moved. It stroked Vlora’s back repeatedly, as if studying the female curves. Then it moved upward.
Vlora shivered. Even in the warm water, she could feel her body tingle as Andreas’ fingers slid over her skin, moving higher and higher.
Her breath caught in her chest as her imagination ran wild, anticipating what would happen next. Unfortunately, all thoughts flew out of her head when Andreas’ hand landed on her neck. Without giving any sign, he pulled her closer.
Vlora parted her lips as Andreas leaned in for a kiss. Gasping, she welcomed his advance and returned it with equal passion, their lips locked in a deep kiss.
Not wanting to be passive, Vlora’s hands moved in sync. She wrapped them around Andreas’ neck as he pulled her closer, deepening the kiss.
Andreas tilted his head and his tongue slipped between Vlora’s parted lips and into her mouth, greeted by a different warmth.
Andreas’ tongue found Vlora’s. It reached out in an electrifying touch. It twisted and caressed, then when Andreas could no longer hold back, he sucked on Vlora’s tongue.
Vlora’s body responded naturally to the touch. Reflexively she leaned in sensually. Her fingers slipped between Andreas’ hair and she squeezed lightly.
*