flare, and he takes a few really loud breaths that are so loud, he sounds like the wind howling.
I pop behind Grant in the mirror and slide my hand up his bicep to his shoulder.
“You okay?” I ask.
“I just need to clean off,” he says. “It’s been…not a great day.”
“What happened?” I ask, concerned. Wow, I’ve never seen Grant quite like this. To be fair, in our friendship, he’s always been the one there for me, lifting me up when I was in need.
Without saying anything, he walks toward the shower and, pulls the curtain to the side. The water is already running since it takes forever to warm up.
In one swift move, he unwraps the towel from around his waist and hangs it on the hook outside the shower, still with his back turned to me.
If a brick wasn’t in my stomach before, it is now. My eyes land on his lower body and I bring them rapidly up to his eye level. I don’t want to get caught staring. But dear lord that is one beautifully muscular butt.
My mom’s comment runs through my mind:
It’s the twenty-first century, for goodness sake. Guys don’t have to make the moves anymore.
But if I do what’s on my mind, there’s no way we’re going back. The line between friend and lover will be eradicated. I never had to think about hook-ups before, but like I told Charlotte at track today, this is more than that—and I’m finally ready because keeping myself in limbo is doing neither of us any good.
“I’m sorry you had a bad day,” I say, ignoring the hoarseness in my voice, and trying my best not to be flustered over the fact that I’m seeing some ridiculously good side-ass compliments of Grant right now. “Maybe I could join you?”
He arches an eyebrow. “You’re serious?”
I let my robe fall to the floor, so I’m totally naked.
His jaw practically falls with it, and he gives me an up-and-down.
“Damn, little Maya,” he quips. “Are your nipples always hard pebbles like that?”
“They, um, I don’t know…”
Something coils in my stomach at the depth of his voice. Guys have said a lot of things to me, but I’ve never been outright damn’d. And it’s not lost on me that he just openly commented on my hard nipples.
But still. Is he inviting me into the shower…or not?
With his gaze locked on me, he steps into the stream underneath the showerhead and spins his body around to give me a full frontal.
Dear Lord, have mercy on me.
My lips part, and I have a strong awareness of my own heartbeat.
The water rushes over his hair and down his shoulders, making his entire body seem like it’s glistening.
“We’ll save water if we shower together,” I add, swallowing.
“Get in here then, little Maya.” He grins.
15
Maya
As the water runs over my back, I stare at the wall like his body isn’t a magnet for my eyes right now.
I’ve had a reputation for being shameless when it comes to men, which is funny because that’s not exactly true. I’ve never indulged in, say, a hot shower hook-up in the dorms.
Right now, butterflies are surging in my stomach and I’m wondering that if I have the reputation, I might as well have some fun. And if there ever lived a man who brought out the need in me to be this bold, it’s Grant Taylor.
Grant’s eyes, though, are what gets me. They’re still cloudy, and I can’t get a read on him. My entire body reacts like dynamite as he simply stands to the side.
“So, what happened?” I ask, looking up at him.
“After our throwing session, Coach Johnson told me today I’m not even in the starting rotation, let alone the starting spot.”
My jaw drops. “Are you serious?”
He nods. “He said I need an attitude adjustment.”
“That’s absolute bull. You were throwing so fast in the field house today.” Bending my neck, I arch my back a little as I pull my hair back. “I mean, what do I know though?”
“Thanks,” he grins. “You know, I feel better already. Your turn.”
He steps out from under the water stream and I step in.
“Mmm. You like it hot, too,” I murmur, eyes closed as the water streams onto my head.
“Who doesn’t?”
“Well, word is DJ takes cold showers.”
“Oh. You meant the water.”
I furrow my brow as I lather up my hair with shampoo. “What did you think I meant?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“Don’t play dumb,” I add.
He reaches under the showerhead for his shampoo. He moves suddenly, and