Disclaimer: Not mine, not paid. Love ‘em, all the same.

Thanks: To dear Jacqui, my best beta buddy and to Rion, my own Big Bad Man, who helps me figure out what mercs do on nights off duty

Rating: You asked, so I’m gratifyin’ ya – solid NC17/R. Can a bath be smutty?

Feedback: Oh yes, kind readers. I grovel nicely, do tricks even. Praise or gripe, it's appreciated, especially if you like a particular bit. To read the previous five chapters or any of my other stories, click on my name. Makes a lot more fun when you’ve read the lead-up.

The Birthday Gift

Chapter Six

Kaylee ran a little more hot water, to warm the cooling tub and settled back against Jayne, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Jayne, when you was little, did your family celebrate birthdays?”

”Like how?” She’d learned that the subject of Jayne’s family was a difficult one, and felt him guard up a little, like he generally did when asked about his past.

“Well, like everybody getting’ together, maybe presents or somethin’ special for dinner?”

He thought about it for a moment, weighing what to share. “Well, we didn’t have much. My Ma done what she could but …” His voice trailed off. “Mostly, she’d scrape up to buy some yarn, sewed or knitted us some special thing.”

“Oh, like your hat!”

“Yeah…” Jayne responded sheepishly.

“What about you, lil’ girl, what did your folks do?”

He dipped the washcloth in the fragrant water and gently drizzled the warm liquid over Kaylee’s breasts.

She could tell he was eager to change the subject.

“Well, it was always a big deal for us. Neighbors and family, Ma’d bake a cake.”

“Sounds pretty special.” He eased further down into the water with her, quietly envying the warmth and normalcy Kaylee seemed to have known growing up.

“Mostly, yes. Except for my Pa and his gorram birthday spankin’s! Said they made ya grow better. Weren’t so bad when I was little, but after I got up a bit, it was embarrasin’ and hurt, too!”

“Oh I c