Page 96 of My Ex's Brothers

I don’t know how much more of this I can take, so I decide to make a move. He’s either going to run or he’s going to settle.

“Come here, Dane,” I say softly.

“What’s up?” he asks as he approaches the shower door. I don’t miss the way his gaze roves over me through the glass.

It’s now or never, Amelia.

“I could use your help,” I say. “Getting those hard to reach spots.”

He chews his lip, the glass refracting his image like a Picasso painting. Splitting him into shards of contemplation. For a moment, I think he’s going to walk away. Ignore my plea.

But he doesn’t.

“Are you sure?” he asks, his voice soft.

“I’m sure,” I say. “I promise I won’t bite.”

That gets a little chuckle out of him. I see him remove his shirt through the glass, and I watch with anticipation. The ripples of his image surround me as he undresses himself, slowly. When he opens the shower door, I have to suck in a breath.

Not because he’s hot as hell naked—which he is—but because the way he looks at me makes my entire body heat with desire.

Dane Rose looks at me like I’m some divine goddess, some dream come to life.

It’s more than endearing—it’s also immensely empowering. I want to be the woman Dane Rose sees when he looks at me. Because underneath his sweet gaze, I feel like an awkward bird. Drenched as the water pours down on me, eyes wide and chest heaving.

He takes two steps toward me, his voice husky. “What exactly do you needhelpwith, Mia?” he asks. The water splashes off of him, some droplets hanging on to his dark hair. He gazes down at me.

“Um…” I blink, trying to remember how to speak. “You can start with this,” I say, casually grabbing the bottle of shampoo. He smirks at me as he takes it, popping it open. The overpowering orange and clove scent fills the space.

“Alright, turn around,” he says, his voice commanding and smooth. I don’t think twice about obeying him. I turn, giving him my back, and a moment later, I feel his hands massaging my scalp. My eyes fall shut and I let out a moan. “Feels good, I take it?” he asks with humor.

“Mhmm,” I purr.

His fingers massage and lather the shampoo in my hair in a rhythmic fashion, the edges of his fingertips brushing against the skin of my neck. He pulls lightly, making my head tilt back. I can’t help but look up at him from this angle.

“Rinse,” he says with a half smile. The water rushes down my hair, down my spine. He grabs the shower gel as I rinse through my hair, lathering it up between his hands. His touch is soft as he trails his soapy hands over my collarbone, down my shoulders. Across my breasts. He moves with precision, his fingertips teasing every inch of me. They massage my breasts, trace lines over my hips.

I stop for a moment when he reaches my hips and stomach, when his fingers brush over my stomach. They rest there for a moment, and all I can feel is the steady rise and fall of his chest behind me.

His lips find my neck and he gently kisses me. “I’m sorry,” he says softly.

And suddenly, all my concerns fade away. Because the way he says the words feels so undeniably raw. I get the feeling Dane has said them many times, to many people. Which saddens me.

“I should have?—”

“No, we both are at fault, Dane,” I tell him. His hands still rest on my stomach and he pulls me tight against him. I feel his hardness and chuckle. “You’re not all that easy to resist, you know,” I tease him.

He lets out a surprised, soft laugh. “I’ll take that as a compliment,” he says.

“I’m on the pill,” I blurt out. “But…I haven’t been able to get the prescription transferred over yet.” The air leaves my lungs in a whoosh. “You know, since I moved back.”

His steady breath against me is like a warm fire. Combined with the hot water, his touch, his hardness…

I have to remember to breathe.

He holds me tight. “If you need help getting everything set up?—”

I close my eyes and let out a breath. Dane Rose deserves the biggest gold star there is. Always wanting to help. Always wanting to give me what I need.

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