chapter fourtheen: “warmed to the bone”

The hidden bathhouse in Hua Cheng's mansion was a secret known only to two people—and tonight, only steam and silence witnessed their entry.

Xie Lian stood at the edge of the spring-fed pool, fingertips to his lips as he stared at the glistening surface. Moonlight filtered through the carved screens above, casting shifting patterns across the warm water. Beside him, Hua Cheng was already disrobing, folds of red silk falling to the floor with the soft rustle of temptation.

"You're staring," Hua Cheng said, voice low and amused.

"I am not," Xie Lian replied, immediately looking away—and catching a perfect view of Hua Cheng's bare back. He turned red instantly.

"You undress slowly when you're flustered, you know," Hua Cheng murmured, stepping into the water with a sigh. "Want help?"

"I—! No, I've got it," Xie Lian said quickly, fidgeting with the ties at his waist. Unfortunately, they'd chosen tonight to knot themselves into a small act of rebellion.

After a minute of struggling, warm fingers replaced his own.

"You do know I've unwrapped you before," Hua Cheng said, breath brushing his neck. "You can trust me not to rip the fabric… unless you want me to."

"You're incorrigible," Xie Lian muttered, but let him work.

A few careful tugs later, Xie Lian's robe slid to the floor, and he stepped into the water, avoiding eye contact with every muscle in his being.

The bath was hotter than he expected—either from the spring or Hua Cheng's gaze, he couldn't tell. They sat across from each other at first, silent, letting the heat soothe them.

Then Hua Cheng drifted closer, reaching out to tuck a wet strand of hair behind Xie Lian's ear.

"Are you still nervous?" he asked softly.

Xie Lian glanced up through lowered lashes. "I'm always nervous around you."

Hua Cheng smirked faintly. "Good. It means I still have an effect."

Without asking, Hua Cheng moved behind him, kneeling in the water and pulling Xie Lian back against his chest. His hands slid slowly along Xie Lian's shoulders, thumbs working in gentle, sensual circles. Xie Lian let out a soft breath.

"Relax," Hua Cheng whispered, lips brushing the shell of his ear. "You're always so tense. Let me take care of you."

His fingers moved lower, just skimming the top of Xie Lian's chest, teasing without pressing. Xie Lian's breath hitched.

"You're doing that on purpose," he whispered.

"Obviously," Hua Cheng said, and kissed his neck.

As the water rippled around them, so did their laughter and soft gasps. Xie Lian leaned fully into him now, the tension slipping away with every warm stroke of Hua Cheng's hands across his skin. No words were needed—they both knew what this was.

Not just desire.

Devotion.

At one point, Xie Lian turned in his arms and faced him, chest pressed to chest, their foreheads touching.

"Why do you always know how to… disarm me like this?" he asked, voice breathless.

Hua Cheng grinned. "Because you let me."

Their kiss was slow and sure—no rush, just heat.

Afterglow in the Water

Eventually, the steam began to fade, and the stars outside turned silver above the carved ceiling.

They remained in the water, Hua Cheng holding him close, one arm lazily draped around his waist.

"We're going to wrinkle like dried fruit," Xie Lian mumbled sleepily.

"Then I'll preserve you in sugar and keep you forever," Hua Cheng said with a smile, nuzzling his cheek.

"Romantic," Xie Lian teased, eyes closing. "And slightly horrifying."

"Perfectly us."

Outside, the city hummed with drunken joy and mischief, but in the quiet of the spring, two immortals found peace—through teasing touches, tender whispers, and the warmth of water and love shared between them.

To be continued.