Droplets kept sliding down her cheeks as Bella Belinder looked stubbornly at Shade. Shade, meanwhile, nearly shrank half his head back into the water.
"Don't you like me?"
"Didn't we already answer that question when we were at the pasture outside the city? Yes, of course I like you. But could you wait until I get out of the bath and put my clothes on before we talk? I'm not avoiding it, but this really isn't the place to discuss this."
"When you held me on the reef just now, was your reaction really only because of that Mermaid?"
The fact that she could say "Mermaid" meant she had not merely heard what Shade had said at the time. Before Shade arrived, she must have come into contact with Desire rather than simply passing out immediately.
"That was an instinctive reaction. I'm a healthy man."
She pursed her lips and looked at Shade. He could clearly see his own reflection in those golden eyes.
"Yes, sir, this is an instinctive reaction for me too. I want to kiss you, right now."
As she spoke, she stood beside the bath and opened her arms to Shade. Her meaning was obvious: she wanted him to hold her. Shade knew exactly what she wanted to do, but he had to make the witch think it through.
"I should remind you that I'm... not wearing any clothes right now."
"I know."
The Countess looked down at him.
"What happened this morning was very important. I can feel something like a flame burning in my heart. This isn't something the Unicorn's blessing can..."
Blushing and pursing her lips, she finally said it.
"Before they arrive, I want to confirm your sex one last time, and confirm your feelings one last time. If what happened this