I turn off the taps as the water nears the top. A floral scent fills the air, pleasant but not overwhelming.

I remove my sweater and my T-shirt in one go, baring my torso. Her quick intake of breath is gratifying. She’s never seen me shirtless before. Our stolen encounters haven’t been anywhere safe enough to start undressing, other than the night we watched the meteor shower, and it was too soon then. I didn’t want to push her.

“Your muscles have muscles,” she says. “That’s not a six-pack. That’s a twelve-pack.”

I grin and tighten my abs, her praise going straight to my head. I know I’m good looking. Girls fall all over me, and I have to keep my body in tip-top shape for hockey. But their admiration is only surface level, whereas Echo’s goes deeper. She isn’t here because of who I am or how I look. She’s here for me.

That said, it’s still nice to know she likes what she sees.

“Your turn,” I tell her.

Shyly, she grabs the hem of her blouse and pulls it over her head, revealing inch after inch of smooth, pale skin. My mouth goes dry as she tosses her blouse aside. She’s wearing a black bra that barely covers her nipples and is fringed with lace. It holds her sexy little tits up as if presenting them to me.

“Fuck,” I rasp out.

She trails one of her fingers across the top. “Do you like it?”

“I fucking love it, but if I touch you right now, we won’t be getting into the tub.”

Her smile becomes cheeky. “What a shame that would be.” She gestures at my jeans. “Your turn.”

I kick off my shoes and shed my jeans so fast that I almost trip over. I laugh. If I was with anyone else, I’d be embarrassed by how eager I seem, but Echo would never judge me for being myself.

Her gaze is locked on me, traveling down my legs, past my muscular hockey player thighs to my calves and my feet, then back up again. It settles on the bulge behind my underwear. I’m hard as hell, but I’m unsure if taking off my underwear without any warning might make her nervous.

With far more care than me, Echo removes her shoes and jeans. I gulp, my throat working furiously. Fuck me. Her panties are black and fringed with lace, matching her bra. I’ve never seen anything so goddamn sexy.

“You look like a dream.” A wonderful one that I hope I never wake up from.

She smiles bashfully and pinches the sides of her underwear between her fingers.

“At the same time?” she asks.

I nod and mimic her position. Slowly, we each draw our underwear down. Her pussy is neatly shaved—or perhaps waxed—and is delicate enough I could put my mouth over her without any trouble at all. It’s pink and welcoming.

I tear my gaze away just in time to see her unhook her bra and drop it to the bathroom floor. Her tits are small and perky, her nipples already peaked. I wonder if I can make them harder if I suck on them…

No, don’t go there. Not until after the bath.

“Like I said: beautiful.” I maintain eye contact, so she knows I’m speaking the truth. “So damn gorgeous.”

Her blush deepens. “You’re very sexy too.”

The words are quiet, whether from embarrassment or nerves, I’m not sure. My cock doesn’t care. It stands at attention, ready for whatever comes next. I ignore the demanding thing and try to keep my wits about me.

“Bath.” I sling one of my legs over the edge and into the water, wincing at the heat. “Be careful. It’s hot.”

I climb in, gritting my teeth until my body grows accustomed to the temperature. Echo dips her finger into the water, makes a face, and props herself on the edge. I lean against the back and close my eyes. We stay that way until the water has cooled enough for Echo’s liking.

She slips beneath the water and onto my lap. I wrap my arms around her waist and nuzzle the back of her neck. She reaches up and releases her hair from its tie. The tips dangle in the water and the movement wafts a soft, sweet scent toward me.

Her body is stiff, so I smooth my hands along her sides.

“Relax against me,” I murmur. “Let go. I can handle your weight.”

Slowly, the tension eases from her and she leans against me, her head resting on my shoulder. Her ass is pressed against my cock, so she must know exactly how she’s affecting me, but neither of us mention it.

Holding her like this is so nice that it’s easy to ignore my hard-on. She belongs in my arms. I never want to let her go.