Page 16 of Flames of Desire

I turned towards the hallway, then stopped, realizing I had no idea where the bedroom was. Feeling a bit sheepish, I glanced back at him. "Um, Alex? I don’t actually know where the bedroom is."

He chuckled again, shaking his head in amusement. “This way,” he said, leading me through the cabin.

He led me through the cabin, the wooden floors creaking softly under our feet. When he opened the bedroom door, I stepped inside and was immediately struck by how warm and cozy it felt. The soft, dim lighting of a candle bathed the room in a gentle glow, highlighting the rich, dark wood of the walls and furniture. A thick, plush rug covered most of the floor, and a small fireplace in the corner added to the intimate atmosphere. The bed was large, with a heavy quilt draped over it, looking incredibly inviting.

My cheeks flushed slightly at the sight of it, and I turned away quickly. "I’d like to take a shower first, if that’s okay."

Alex nodded. "Of course. Bathroom’s right through there," he said, pointing to a door on the opposite side of the room. “Towels are in the cupboard next to the sink.”

“Thanks,” I murmured, grabbing a towel and heading to the bathroom. The warmth of the room had eased my nerves a bit, but as I closed the bathroom door behind me, my mind was still buzzing with the reality of what was happening. Sharing a space with Alex like this was new territory for me.

I turned on the water in the bathroom and let the steam fill the space. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the fluttering in my stomach.

As the hot water washed over me, I let out a sigh of contentment, feeling the tension of the day melt away. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Alex waiting for me in the other room.

Maybe this was exactly what I desired—something simple, unhurried, and real. Tonight was going to be interesting, that was for sure.

The hot shower was exactly what I needed to unwind after the day. I stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around myself, and opened the bathroom door. The steam billowed out, and there was Alex, leaning against the wall with a look I couldn’t quite place.

He hadn’t said anything, so I cleared my throat and said, “I’m done.”

He blinked as if coming out of a trance. “Right. Thanks.” He nodded towards the wardrobe. “There’s a pair of pajamas in there for you.”

“Thanks,” I replied, wrapping the towel tighter around myself.

With that, he disappeared into the bathroom, and I walked over to the wardrobe, quickly finding the only pair of pajamas inside. I slipped them on, feeling a bit more at ease. They were soft and comfortable, a little oversized, but that just made them cozier.

I lay on the bed, picking up Richard Ginsberg's new book in an effort to distract myself from the sound of water coming from the bathroom and the thought of Alex, naked and just a few feet away. The shower eventually stopped, and after a while, Alex emerged, a towel wrapped low around his waist.

He looked breathtaking, his skin glistening slightly from the shower. The towel clung to his hips, highlighting his defined abs and the slight V-line that led downward. His wet hair clung to his forehead, and water droplets traced paths down his chiseled chest and abs. He looked like something out of a dream, breathtaking, and undeniably sexy.

He caught me staring and smirked. “Enjoying the view?”

I scoffed, burying my nose back in the book. “Please. Don’t flatter yourself.”

He chuckled and walked to the wardrobe. I bit my lip, trying to focus on the words in front of me. “Uh, Alex? There was only one pair of pajamas, and I’m wearing them.”

He turned, grinning. “Guess that means I might have to sleep naked.”

My cheeks flushed instantly, the image of him naked beside me flooding my mind. “Absolutely not. There is no way I’m letting you on this bed without clothes on.”

He laughed, a warm, rich sound. “Relax, there’s a robe in the bathroom. I’ll just wear that. Unless you’d prefer to change into it instead?”

I pouted, causing him to chuckle again before he walked back into the bathroom. He returned wearing a white robe that almost reached his ankles. Even covered, the outline of his toned muscles was visible through the fabric.

I averted my gaze, pretending to be engrossed in my book. My heart quickened when I felt the mattress dip beside me as Alex climbed into bed. His presence was warm and comforting, yet it made my pulse race.

I peeked over the edge of my book, finding him lying there, looking far too relaxed. He turned his head, catching my eye.

“Comfortable?” he asked, a teasing note in his voice.

“Very,” I replied, hoping my voice sounded steadier than I felt.

He smiled a slow, lazy grin that made my heart skip a beat. “Good. Sweet dreams, Lily.”

“Sweet dreams, Alex,” I murmured, turning off the bedside lamp and plunging the room into a soft, comfortable darkness. As I lay there, listening to the sound of his steady breathing, I couldn’t help but wonder what I would do if he just reached out to hold me. But something told me if that actually happened, I wouldn’t have the strength to resist.

Chapter eight

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