in here just in case I start to slip? I would feel safer.”
He hesitated then reached for the door.
“Do you want to take off your shorts so they don’t get wet?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
I handed him the bottle of shampoo then wet my hair. When I looked at him again, he was watching the water run down my torso. I held out my hand.
“Shampoo, please.”
He passed the bottle back to me and watched as I soaped my hair and rinsed.
“I’m not sure I got it all,” I said. “Will you help me?”
He moved closer and ran his fingers through my hair. Water droplets gathered on his skin. I itched to lick him.
“My leg’s starting to ache,” I said, putting it up on the bench seat like I had in the kitchen. His gaze flicked from my hair to my face.
“And I’m feeling a little light-headed.” I set my hand against the wall. “Would you mind soaping up the rest of me?”
“You need to stop this, Brenna. For both of us.”
“Stop what? Wanting you as much as you want me?”
“I don’t want you, Brenna. I need you. And your need will never match mine.”
“Is that a ‘No’ to washing me?”
He reached around me to turn off the water. I thought that meant playtime was done until he grabbed the soap and lathered his hands. He smoothed his hands down my arms and over my stomach. Then bent low to wash my legs, carefully avoiding my taped off stitches.
I watched him, waiting for him to look at something other than the limbs he was washing, but he stayed completely focused on all my proper parts.
“I like the way you touch me,” I said. “So carefully, like I’m fragile.”
“You are fragile.”
“Compared to you, I am. But I won’t break because you’re washing me, Thallirin.”
He stood and turned on the water again.
“Rinse,” he said.
“But you didn’t wash my chest.”
“It’s already clean.”
“But that’s not the point, is it?”
His gaze finally dipped, taking in my breasts. His hand trembled as he reached forward. The heat of his palm branded me. My nipple hardened under his touch.
“You’re wrong,” I breathed. “I’ve never needed anyone more.”
He kissed me hard, his hand exploring the shape and feel of my breast. The water disappeared, and he stepped away from me, panting.
“Your stitches will get wet,” he said, and I knew we were done.
He opened the door and handed me a towel before taking one for himself. I followed him closely, stepping out and watching him. He’d known what I was doing. And I knew he’d only asked me to stop because he was worried about me. I wasn’t worried, though.
But, seriously, how many times did a girl need to flash her vagina to talk a guy into sex?
“When I came up with this idea last night, I imagined how everything would go,” I said, putting my foot on the counter and drying my leg, fully exposed.
“I imagined you on your knees in the kitchen. Instead of just looking, you were licking. Then, we’d move to the bathroom, and I’d be the one on my knees licking. But, no. You’re too stubborn for your own good. And where does that leave me? Horny and more than a little desperate.”
I started to carefully remove the tape. Everything underneath looked dry.
“And the worst part is that you knew what I was trying to do and you didn’t walk away or tell me no. You tried to get me to change my mind. After all it took to get me here, to the point where I’m finally seeing the real you and needing you just like you wanted, you want me to go back to ignoring you.
“Now, you can add frustration to the list. Horny, desperate, and frustrated.”
I wadded up the plastic and tossed it in the garbage.
“Are you done?” he asked.
“Drying off? Yes. Venting? Probably not.”
He picked me up and carried me out of the bathroom. I was still frowning at him when he put me on the bed.
“Get dressed, and we’ll go see Mya and Drav like you wanted.” He pressed his lips to my forehead and closed himself in the bathroom.
I threw my towel at the door in annoyance.
“Stubborn,” I said under my breath.
It didn’t matter. The shower had been plan A. It always paid to have a plan B, and Mya was it.
When Thallirin found me in the kitchen later, I was already dressed and eating cereal with almond milk.
“I’m still mad,” I said. “Marshmallow cereal can only fix so much.”
He grunted and