Page 13 of Driven Wild By The Grizzly

And definitely some layers I wouldn’t mind unpeeling, I think, as my eyes zone in on his wet tank top again.

At the rear, there’s a hallway, and a whole other section of the cabin. This place is deceptively huge, like it had an extension built on the back of it.

“Bedrooms.” Ethan indicates several doors going off the hallway. “And bathroom.”

That’s a whole lot of space for one mountain man, I muse. It’s more like a family home.

The bathroom is simple, but it has good-quality white units, and it smells of cleaning products. He shows me how to adjust the temperature on the shower, then he hands me a couple of towels, which smell freshly laundered.

A mountain man who cares about laundry? For some reason, that’s ridiculously sexy. Just when I thought Ethan couldn’t be any more intriguing.

“You got a change of clothes in your backpack?” he asks.

“Nope,” I say cheerfully. “And if I did, I think they’d be as wet as the ones I’m wearing.” It’s already occurred to me that I don’t have a single dry thing to change into, but after everything I’ve been through today, that’s small beans.

“I’ll see if I can figure something out.” He backs out of the bathroom, dipping his head like he’s embarrassed or something.

I glance at my reflection in the mirror. My mascara has indeed smudged. Although, it’s not as comical as I expected. It’s more like smudged liner.

You’re beautiful,he said. Even when I looked like this.

I repeat his words in my head, warmth pouring through me. He likes me. He’s into me. Which feels exciting, but hella nerve-wracking at the same time.

I peel my clothes off, laughing to myself at just how drenched they are. When I wring them out in the sink, a bucketload of water comes out.

Then I turn on the shower and adjust the temperature just like Ethan showed me.

The hot water feelsincredible. “Oh, my god,” I whisper. I let it cascade over me until I’m warmed all the way through, then I reach for some shower gel. It’s an eco-brand, and it’s scented with sandalwood and bergamot.That’sthe smell I was picking up while Ethan was marching me through the forest. A dart of yearning goes through me as I remember the sensation of being in his arms. So close to him. Surrounded by his strength and his wild masculinity.

I shake myself.Okay, quit fantasizing and focus on getting clean. You’re not the only one who needs a hot shower here.

When I’m done, I dry off fast, then I wrap the towel around myself. I open the bathroom door a crack, and hesitate.

That thing I was saying about small beans? Not true.

My cheeks warm as I absorb the fact I’m about to exit the bathroom wearing just a towel, in front of the hottest man in the universe. He’s gonna know I’m naked underneath it. I’ll besoexposed.

And the worst part is—the thought of that turns me on like crazy.

“Jessica?” Ethan’s voice comes from somewhere deep in the cabin. I close my eyes, letting it roll through me. I love the way my name sounds in his mouth.

“Yeah?” I reply.

“I put something out for you on the shelf. It might fit you.”

Shelf… shelf.There, farther down the hallway. I grab a pile of fabric. There’s a white T-shirt and a pair of patterned pink shorts. Still with the tags on. But who did he buy them for? Deciding I’ll worry about that later, I retreat into the bathroom and pull them on.

They fit. They actually look pretty cute. The kind of things I might’ve chosen for myself. Then I flip on the light above the mirror and look a little closer.AnnndI can just make out my nipples beneath the fabric, poking up like little pebbles. Shoot. He’s going to see them. If I don’t keep my arms folded the whole time. And as for the fact I’m not wearing panties…

Gulp.

This is a whole lot better than wearing a towel, but I still feel so naked. I’d better make sure I sit with my legs together. And don’t get wet again. Anywhere.

I can do this.

Taking a deep breath, I creep out of the bathroom.

Right away, the last part of my plan fails.

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