Page 44 of Holiday Power Play

"Good."

I get the fabric loosened and set it down next to her. She massages her wrists as I go grab her clothes and hand them to her.

She slides off the kitchen island and looks at me.

"What?"

"You seem… upset," she says, studying me.

I shake my head. "Nope. If you're good, then I'm good."

She reaches for my hand and looks at me. "We just did something very… intimate," she says. "Please don't just shut down on me."

I swallow past that uncomfortable feeling in my throat. "I'm going to take a shower. And then I'll meet you in the room okay?"

She nods. "Okay."

I pick up the pieces of the fabric I ripped up and take them with me. No good leaving any evidence for her brother to find in the morning.

My body is finally giving in to the lack of sleep. I feel the fatigue overtake me as I undress and step into the steam shower.

Was I upset in the kitchen? I guess I was. It doesn't feel good for anyone to reject you especially after you've given them a part of yourself.

Lana's been hurt. She's no doubt been taken for granted. I can understand if she's guarding herself from any future pain.

And it's not like we really got off to a good start. I can't expect her to just fully embrace me, she doesn't even know me. And I don't know her.

But I want to.

Maybe that's the difference. Lana has no interest in getting to know me. And I have every intention of seeing where things can go.

I let the water run over my face and my tired body. Maybe in the morning, I'll be able think clearer. Once the fog of lust as she called it, has lifted.

The shower door swings open and I turn to find her standing there, fully naked in front of me.

"Didn't you already shower?" I ask.

"I mean, we kind of made a mess out there," she says, smiling up at me. "Besides, we need to talk."

She reaches behind me and grabs squirts some soap into hand lathering it up.

"Turn around," she says.

I look at her. "You gonna spank me, now?" I say, quirking a brow.

"No, I'm going to wash you. Turn around."

I gulp. Nobody's ever washed me. But I do, giving her my back and resting my hands on the shower glass.

Her hands touch my skin and once again my body comes alive for her. I don't know why I have this reaction to her. She told me we only get tonight. And I know this can't be more. So maybe I just want everything she'll give me.

"I was going to marry one of Vance's childhood friends," she says.

I still. Because for the first time since meeting her, she's actually opening up.

"We had been on and off for years. I had the biggest crush on him growing up. He was just the kind of guy that gave off this aura that he was untouchable. Unattainable. All the girls wanted to get with him. It was kind of annoying."

She lathers the soap against my skin. And I love how her hands feel on me.

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