"My-my lord!" Violet stuttered hurriedly, her trembling voice barely holding any conviction. Her hand instinctively reached for the band around her neck as though to confirm it still worked properly even in water.
"I-I'm not gay!" she blurted, watching as a fleeting frown passed over Cain's face. His body stiffened, but the expression vanished almost as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by his usual calmness.
"Really?" he asked, his voice low and measured. Leaning closer, he pulled her forward with a firm hand on the nape of her neck. "Your heart says otherwise."
Violet felt like she was unraveling. The water's warmth wrapped around her, but there was nowhere to go—no space in the tub but on him. The scent of his skin enveloped her, making her lower her gaze as she whispered in a voice that was barely audible, "I need to rinse you—"