Page 18 of All the Promises We Break

“Take it as you wish. I’m sorry I woke you though. I was trying to be quiet.”

He kisses my shoulder again. “You didn’t wake me. However, since I am awake, I’d like to join you.”

“I think I’d like that.”

He whispers in my ear, “Arms up, please.”

I raise my arms up so high I can feel that gentle pull in my muscles along my torso, from my hips to my fingertips. The tightly woven cable slides effortlessly over my skin and off my body. Eli tosses it to a pile on the floor. His hands wrap around my rib cage before he pulls me back to his body. His chin, with a hint of stubble, rubs along my shoulder and up the side of my neck.

“Do you have any idea what that’s doing to me right now?”

“Why do you think I’m doing it?” He spins me around slowly to face him. “Your body is tense.”

“I know.” My forehead finds his chest to settle there. His comforting hands begin a slow massage up and down my arms. My breaths become deeper and deeper with each pass.

“That’s much better. Let’s see how that water is.” Eli kisses my forehead before opening the shower door. The water that was muffled now echoes in the entire space. He slides his boxer briefs to the floor as he reaches in. “Seems right. I know you like it hot.”

“Now that sounded dirty.”

“Take it as you wish.” He smirks. “Rip those track pants away and get in here.”

Elijah steps back over the edge under the rain falling from the showerhead. He lets it warm his chest as his hands pool the water over his face. Even through the steam, I can see every ripple of his form. I can also see his left side. There are still so many scars.

Each injury is less noticeable than it used to be. The road rash is fading. The gash near his elbow is still red but even that looks better. Eli rotates his body, so the water pulsates on his back. Ashe lets his chin fall toward his chest, his palm comes to rest flat on the glass wall.

“Viper, are you going to watch or participate? I’ve never known you to be content on the sidelines.”

“I’m enjoying the view.”

“Get up close and personal.”

With two snaps on each side open, my pants fall to the floor. I mirror my hand on the outside of the glass to his. Eli turns his head just enough for me to see his beautiful smile. At first, it’s the kind you give your love before you kiss them. Then, his eyes turn into a heat that rivals the water falling around him.

He reaches out, tugging me in. Our naked bodies meet under the rain. Eli wraps his hands over the sides of my neck, resting his forehead against mine. Tentatively, my hands lay over his rib cage. I don’t want to hurt him. “Dylan, you spend so much time taking care of me. You left your loft without question. You’ve been with me nearly twenty-four seven, which I don’t mind, just so we’re clear. Have I said thank you enough?”

“Every day and this ring kind of does it for you.”

“That ring wasn’t a thank you. It is an I love you. Let me love you.”

Elijah

Her hands rest soft on my body. I love her touch always, but this is a time where I want her to be rougher, be more who she is. I want her worry to stop. I know we have plenty yet to swim through, but I want her to free herself for just a little while.

“You won’t hurt me, Viper. You won’t.”

She seeks my eyes and nods. I can see her head understands, but it’s her heart I’m worried about. I remember one of our last dances in the shower. It was fire. I want this time to burn. I want her to burn for me in the way I burn for her.

I pull the shampoo from the cutout and squeeze it over her head. My fingers begin working through her golden mane down to her scalp. Her lungs fill, I swear, down to her feet. I can feel the tension in her neck start to release the more I massage her.

She pulls in, pressing her lips to my chest. Her tongue darts out to taste the water running over my skin. I have to curl my toes into the tile to not give in to pure want. Giving her shoulder a gentle push, I turn her around so her long sexy back and ass are pressed against me.

I push her hair over her right shoulder, so the bubbles cover her breasts as they wash down her body. Her perfect pink peaks play hide-and-seek under the soapy playground I’ve created. My hands draw a line across her torso to pull the bubbles back over them.

My fingers draw abstract shapes over the swells before gently circling her nipples repeatedly. She holds still and strong at first. I know her tells by now. Her usually ivory skin starts to morph from pink to red. The path leads from her chest up the back of her neck.

The heat leaping from her body is not from the water. It’s from inside her. I’ve never met a woman so unashamed, unafraid, or unbelievably raw in her sexuality. It’s inspiring and inevitably intoxicating.

The suds are trailing down her skin to her feet, which are subtly shifting back and forth. She’s creating friction for herself. Don’t be so damn independent. I’ve got you.

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