Chapter 168 (2/2)

Helen’s parents hadn’t been rich, but they hadn’t been poor, Style-less folk either. She had some ways to procure steaming hot water at the drop of a hat. “You.” Helen said simply. “Are taking a bath.”

****

Randidly wasn’t sure what he was feeling. But he knew that the bath felt very, very good right now. Shal’s words earlier… in a way, they were echoing so loudly around in his head that he couldn’t even hear them. Randidly’s consciousness slipped under them, focusing on other things.

Like how soft and warm his spear attendant’s body looked in the dimb light of the tent. How good the hot water felt as he scrubbed himself clean. He couldn’t remember the last time he had taken a bath. Even though it was becoming increasingly popular in Donnyton towards the end, he was too busy training with Mrs. Hamilton-

Then he smiled and shook his head. From their perspective, very little time had passed. It had probably only been…. almost a month since he had left Donnyton, their time? It felt so surreal. The way that time could change perspective… It was incredible.

Releasing a long breath, Randidly allowed himself to float underwater. Then he emerged, stepping out of the comfortable water of the tub to the chill of the air. His spear attendant stepped forward, offering him a towel.

Her service was strange, and the fact that he was just naked in front of her was strange, for a variety of reasons. The most important of which was… it had been two years since he had seen her. He didn’t remember her name at all. And yet she so easily came forward to help him.

Randidly didn’t think he remembered her being this helpful, but he supposed he didn’t really have an experience like this before either.

At least, if she was going to look at him naked, it was now. It was a small, vain thought, but the system had done wonders to improve his muscle mass and definition. He didn’t look crazy strong, like he actually was due to the increased stats, but every inch of him was covered in tight muscle.

The spear attendant stepped forward, a strange look on her face.

“What?” Randidly asked, wondering what she wanted to do for him now.

She frowned at him, “It’s my turn. Move.”

Randidly laughed out loud, and moved off to the side. Shaking his head, he sat down and pulled out a leather bracer. He was thinking too much obviously, but it was an amusing distraction. But now, better to concentrate on something-

A strange, soft noise caught his attention. Almost by instinct, Randidly turned around. The spear attendant had taken off her robe and let it slide down. Every curve of hers hung there, for his eyes. She very deliberately met his eyes, and then smiled at him. Then she turned away, and walked slowly to the tub and hopped into it, her hair floating in the air behind her.

Randidly’s physical reaction was immediate. He spent several minutes just looking down at his bracer, trying to calm his breathing. He obviously wasn’t a virgin, but this…

In his mind, because he didn’t know her name… and had somewhat of an employer/employee situation….

But after a few minutes, she splashed out and stood, walking over towards Randidly. Drops of water clung to her as she approached. Almost unwillingly, Randidly stood, both literally and figuratively, and watched her approach. She offered him a small smile.

“The towel?”

Randidly wordlessly unwrapped the towel and handed it to her. She looked down at his hands and towels, and then slowly took the towel, her hand lingering on his for several seconds.

But while that was happening, Randidly noticed a slight tremble in her hand. Some of the need and lust fell away, and he looked at her. This beautiful woman, with a spear user who she believed to be superior to herself, doing all these rather forward moves and he had… just stood there.

As she gazed up at him, he could finally see the hesitation and fear in her gaze. Like everyone else, she was afraid of rejection, and wasn’t really sure how to proceed.

There was a part of Randidly that wondered why this was happening, or what it meant, but there was another, bigger part that just wanted it. And ultimately….

It had been a very long time since he had sex.

So Randidly stepped forward and put his hands on her waist, gripping just tightly enough to feel his strength. She gasped and dropped the towel. Then, hope rekindled in her eyes, she looked up at him.

After receiving that look, Randidly promptly picked her up and carried the woman whose name he still couldn’t remember to bed.