“It’s a small shower stall,” she said in low, hesitant tone, still giving herself room to run.
“I have never taken a shower. I have never needed to, nor would I have been able to enjoy the sensation of water on my skin. I would very much like to do so with you.”
She put both trembling hands behind her back and he knew that she was afraid of the next step, but she took it because she was nothing if not courageous. She lifted her chin and smiled at him in invitation.
He didn’t wait for her to come to him; he took the few steps separating them and swept her up into his arms, cradling her close to his chest.
Joie smiled up at him. “This is becoming a habit.”
“I like keeping you close to me,” he admitted. He carried her through to the small bathroom and set her on her feet.
His hands dropped to the buttons of her shirt, his gaze holding hers captive. She moistened her lips and her heart sped up. He smiled at her in reassurance.
“You are very safe with me, Joie. Just breathe.”
He slipped each button out of the tiny hole, allowing her shirt to open all the way before he glanced down at the treasure he’d so carefully unwrapped. His breath caught in his throat. “You are so beautiful, Joie.” His hand skimmed down from her breast to her belly, down further to strip the panties from her.
He had no idea he would feel like this, emotion welling up so deep and strong, the intensity shaking him. It took a moment to remove his own clothes and step into the confines of the shower with her.
Steam fogged the clear glass of the shower door, and rose up to curl around the two bodies standing beneath the spray of hot water. Joie allowed the water to pour over her, drenching her hair and skin, washing the sleep from her body. The shower stall was small, forcing her into close contact with Traian. She thought she was completely prepared for the sight of his very masculine body, but found she could barely breathe. He was all defined muscle, his chest wide, his hips narrow. She dared not look below his waist. The man had no modesty when it came to his desires. And he desired her.
“Are you going to keep scooting back every time I get close to you?”
There was a hint of amusement in his voice. His tone was like velvet, sliding over her exposed skin, setting every nerve ending on alert.
Her mouth went dry. “It’s the only safe thing to do. Before I actually met you, I thought about having you all to myself, alone and naked and . . .” She trailed off a little desperately. The erotic fantasies were wonderful when he wasn’t standing in front of her, larger than life and still nearly a stranger. “Now I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to do with you.”
“I distinctly remember you telling me you had lovers lined up,” he said, his hands framing her face, his thumb tilting her chin so that her gaze met his. “What were you planning to do with all of them?”
There was a little bite to his voice and his white teeth came together with a definite snap.
Joie tried not to let the sudden smile blossoming inside her show on her face. “You weren’t real. I could say anything.” It was impossible to look away from the dark intensity of his eyes, the hunger there. His emotions were as naked as his body. “I keep thinking this is happening too fast. I don’t really know you. How did you end up in my room? And how did I end up standing naked in the shower with you? I’m a private person, and not very trusting, yet here you are.”
It was all he could do not to kiss her. Traian knew he could easily sweep aside her every objection. The attraction between them was mutual. Electric. All-consuming. She would respond to him with the same fierce need he had for her if he kissed her, but she needed to come to terms with her decision.
“Joie.” He whispered her name, an ache in his voice. “If you want to talk about this, I suggest we get out of the shower and put the width of the room between us. We have been in each other’s minds for weeks. You know me. You know more