“Listen…”
He snatches my arm, his wet fingers dampening my top. “What is there that you can’t tell me in the bath?”
I shake my head. “Lots. You and I both know as soon as I get in the bath, we won’t be talking.”
“I’m not an animal. I can restrain myself.”
“Yes, but I can’t.”
Hunter chuckles and swipes a wet finger across my nose. “Princess, you know what? You’re good for a man’s ego.” He sits up and pulls the hem of my top out of my trousers. “Now quit wasting time and get naked.”
With a sigh, I stand, resigned. Hair slightly damp, skin sheening, bubbles sticking to his legs, he’s impossible to resist. And when he looks at me with such passion, I’m powerless.
I peel my top over my head and get rid of my bra quickly. I don’t meet his gaze but I feel him tracking every movement. Once my trousers and socks are off, I take my time skimming my panties down as I try to give myself a moment to gather my thoughts and plan ahead. How am I going to get Hunter to understand how strongly I feel for him without making a fool of myself and without succumbing to his seductions?
“Move over,” I tell him and he slides forward, water sloshing over the edge.
I climb in behind him and sink into the warm water. It eases my racing heart and I release a long breath. I hadn’t realized how tense I was but it has been a long couple of days. With my legs either side of him, Hunter nestled between them, I smooth my hands over his back and he groans.
“Jessie, I think your idea of taking care of me, is my idea of torture. I need to touch you.”
I wiggle my toes near his thigh. “Touch me then.”
His sounds of agony makes me laugh. He has no idea how hard it is for me not to climb on top of him and sink him deep into me. But I’m determined to do this. I knead my fingers into his back, massage the tense muscles there and work loose the knots. By the time I’m done with him, I’m burning with need but I have my thoughts a little more on track and he is definitely relaxed. His head lolls back when I push my thumbs against the top of his spine and his sounds of appreciation send warmth into my belly.
Snatching some shampoo from the side, I pour some into my palm and begin to rub it through his hair. I winnow my fingers through his dark locks and rub briskly at his scalp.
“Christ, that feels amazing.”
“Good.” I shuffle a little closer until my breasts are pressed to his back.
“That feels even better.”
“I want you to feel good, Hunter. You make me feel so good, I need to do the same for you.” I begin rinsing the shampoo with handfuls of water.
“Jess—” He tries to turn but I put my hands to his shoulders and start working on his muscles again.
“Shhh, I need to get this out and I can’t have you distracting me.” His shoulders soften as he acquiesces. “You make me feel better than… than I can ever remember. You also made me feel really, really bad.”
“Princess, you know I—”
“But that’s because… because well I love you so much.” Silence. I swallow. “I nearly lost you, Hunter, and I don’t want to lose you again. You did something out of desperation and I understand that now. Me, more than anyone, can understand that. And while you were accepting of my bad decisions, I wasn’t accepting of yours. I hope you’ll forgive me one day.”
He turns then, sending water everywhere. My tongue dries, my resolve melts, like ice on a hot day. Hunter is so insanely beautiful with his hair all spiky and damp and falling in curls across his forehead. I put my hands to his shoulders—to hold him back or pull him forward, I don’t know but he makes the decision for me. One arm wraps around my waist and lifts me easily onto his lap. I straddle him and feel the hard heat waiting for me.
Using both hands, he smoothes back my hair and holds my face so he can stare down at me. “We’ve both made bad decisions and I didn’t deal with your actions any better than you did with mine. It took me over a week to figure it out and to get over my ego.” He presses the lightest of kisses to the corner of my mouth before pulling back and looking at me once more. “We’re the same you see, Jess, you and me. That’s why I love you so damn much.”
I don’t know what to say. I’m still not sure I deserve him. But he’s right. We’re the same. Both determined to follow our own paths, yet somehow they connected and there’s no going back. I can’t imagine life without Hunter now.
“I love you too,” I finally spill out, the words fractured and fragile.
“I love you.” He kisses me full on the mouth this time, hold still strong on my face, making me feel protected and desired all at the same time. “I love you,” he mutters against my lips.