Page 120 of Through the Water

23

Ariana

“So, I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.”

-Paolo Coelho, The Alchemist

Killian handled the flooding streets with calm finesse, pulling up in front of his condo only minutes later. He tossed the keys to the valet, wearing the same determined expression as the night he’d pulled me into the backseat of his truck.

I dropped my hand into his when he opened my door, letting him lead me through the brightly lit lobby toward a bank of elevators.

It wasn’t until we were inside that I caught sight of my reflection in the mirrored doors. Wet hair clung to my face and shoulders, but it was the visible red scar running down the middle of my head that had my heart skipping a beat.

After risking a quick glance in his direction, I discreetly reached up to run my fingers through the dripping strands, fighting to cover the scar.

Maybe he hadn’t seen it.

Killian’s eyes met mine, his jaw tightening when he realized what I was doing. “Don’t,” he warned gruffly, tucking me into his side.

I sucked in a breath and lowered my hand to his chest, shivering with the need to press my body against his in ways I didn’t fully understand. Maybe it was just the storm, or perhaps our confessions, but something had happened to us back in that parking lot. It was as if a weight had been lifted off both our shoulders.

He kept his focus on my face, watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite describe. It reminded me of the way strangers looked at Tristan. Adoration. Worship. It would have been wrong had it been anyone else but him.

By the time we reached his floor, the air between us was crackling with electricity. Killian released his protective hold on my hip just long enough to let us into his condo. I made it as far as toeing off my waterlogged flats when his mouth moved down my neck, not quite touching me, but close enough to cause another involuntary shiver.

“Here we are. Home sweet home.” He exhaled a soft laugh at my reaction and nipped my ear lobe, before leading me through the living room and into what I presumed was his bedroom.

Seeing no sense in arguing—none at all—I let him.

We didn’t stop at the bed, though, continuing on into the roomiest bathroom I’d ever seen. A large mirror backlit with tiny LED lights hung over the floating vanity and dual raised sinks, giving off just enough light to feel romantic.

“I imagine the acoustics in here are fantastic,” I mused with a grin, earning myself a wink from Killian.

My eyes lingered on the large freestanding tub in front of a wall of windows overlooking the city below, piquing some voyeuristic curiosity I’d been unaware existed until now.

Killian bypassed it for the large shower spanning the length of the back wall of the bathroom, though, cranking the knobs until water began spraying from multiple showerheads.

“Let’s get you warmed up.” He returned to my side and began rubbing my arms, his eyes narrowed in concern. “Do you feel okay? Dizzy? Do you want me to make you some tea?”

My mouth curved into a smile as he fussed over me. I wasn’t even cold anymore. In fact, certain areas of my body were quite toasty under the heat of his hands.

“Ari? Baby, I need you to answer me.”

I stepped back and grasped the hem of my long-sleeved shirt, lifting it up and over my head. My leggings were next, and I kept a hand on his arm to steady myself as I peeled the damp material from my skin before kicking it aside.

“I’m good,” I finally admitted, my chest rising and falling on an unsteady breath.

Killian’s nostrils flared as I stood before him in nothing but my bra and panties, the muscle in his jaw flexing as his eyes raked over my body.

“Come here.” He took my hand and led me over to stand in front of the large mirror. His chest pressed against my back as he leaned down to nuzzle the side of my neck, whispering, “I want you to see what I see when I look at you. You are so goddamned beautiful, Ari.”

I nodded dumbly in response, utterly incapable of stringing together a single thought with his warm breath against my skin.

Killian unclasped my necklace and studied my reflection with another look of reverence before straightening to his full height. He threaded his fingers through my wet hair and pressed his lips to my scar. “Don’t ever hide yourself—not from me.”

I inhaled sharply and closed my eyes against the sting of tears. Before Killian, I’d never imagined there could be more than one way to say I love you. But under his hands, I let myself absorb the words, both spoken and unspoken until steam from the shower began to fog the mirror.

My skin flushed when his thigh moved between my legs. I instinctively pushed back, seeking him. The corners of his mouth turned up when I reached between our bodies to free the clasp on my bra, before arching wantonly against his chest.

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