Page 77 of Between Us

Nodding, I step out as he pushes them down and climb into the spray of water.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Blake

Maybeit’sacoincidence,but it’s not a surprise that Adrian set the water to the exact temperature I like. He wordlessly follows me into the stall and presses his body against mine.

Between him and the water, I feel like I’m on fire. Leaning on my toes to kiss him, he slides his hand into the hair at the nape of my neck and pulls my head to the side—giving him access to nibble along my neck, but not for me to kiss him.

As if he can read my thoughts, he says against my skin, “Let’s get your hair washed.”

That’s when I notice he didn’t throw out the hair products I accidentally left here.

“I wasn’t sure who this belonged to,” he admits, and pops open the lid of the shampoo. “But it smells like you, so…”

A soft, gooey smile splits across my face. I’m not keen on overwhelming or strong fragrances, so I’ve used fresh melon scents for as long as I can remember. And a silly, possessive part of my soul loves that Adrian knowingly associates that with me now.

“It’s mine,” I confirm. With that, he squeezes a dollop into his hand and continues to wash my hair. As he does, I tell him about all the things Margo found in his apartment.

“Honestly, it wasn’t a lot. Meera was right, ‘lovely apartment,’” I teasingly mock her. “There were barely any dirty clothes to complain about, your note-taking is impressive, and there’s nothing questionable on your Netflix account.” Closing my eyes and mouth while he rinses the suds out for a second time, they pop back open as soon as he’s done. “The most talked about finding was theun-open box of condoms in your bedside table.”

“That’s scandalous?” he asks while gently working the conditioner through the knots.

“Not scandalous,” I tell him. “Kind of disappointing to my friends, I guess.” That makes him laugh—making my body pebble and warm at the same time. Tracing a pattern across one of his pecs with my finger, I confess, “It was a green flag in my opinion.”

Looking down at me, his expression is a mix of curiosity and amusement. “Yeah?”

“I mean, I’m glad you think about those things. I’m not, uh, on birth control. I didn’t like the pill, and unless it’s a big deal, I’d rather no—”

“Blake,” he quickly cuts me off. “I’ve never not used a condom with someone. So I appreciate you telling me that, but it’s the type of decision you make on your own. I’ll respect it.”

Smiling, I let out a small sigh of relief. “Okay. Thank you.” As he ties my hair on the top of my head, he just smiles and rolls his eyes at me. Probably for thanking him for that.

“Anyway, the box was closed,” I continue, “does that mean it’s fair to assume it’s been a couple of months? Since you’ve… you know, been with someone?” I grimace, more at my own awkwardness than the question.

I’d be an idiot if I thought for a second Adrian gained this level of confidence with his body withoutsomesexual experiences. And I’m not exactly a blushing virgin either. At the same time, I want to put some things into perspective for myself before we go any further.

He smiles at me as he wipes a glob of conditioner from landing in my eye. It’s not pitiful or patronizing—just pure affection. “No, Blake. I haven’t been with anyone in months. Closer to a year,” he clarifies.

“Oh, okay,” I breathe out with a nod. “It’s been a long time for me as well.”

His eyes rove over me before grabbing onto my waist and pulling me flush against his very hard, very naked body. A small moan falls from my lips as his thick cock brushes against my stomach.

“There’s a lot we could do in here without a condom,” he muses and drops a kiss to my shoulder.

“I mean, I should let the conditioner sit for a while,” I whisper and tilt my head back, giving him access to the front of my neck and collarbone.

Chuckling against my skin, he slowly pushes me until my back is against the wall and he’s towering over me. There aren’t any more words between us; his actions are slow—giving me the time to stop him or object if I want to—as he drops a hand between us and slides his fingers through my wet heat.

“Adrian” I whine, needier than I’ve ever felt before.

“I’m going to take care of you,” he murmurs against my skin as he moves his lips to meet mine. “I’malwaysgoing to take care of you, Blake.”

And I believe him. God, do I.

And that realization is the most liberating sensation of them all.

“Remember when I made that joke about working you open?” My eyes pop open to find him smirking down at me. Nodding and remembering the first time he FaceTimed me, the laugh quickly dies in my throat as he pushes two fingers into me all in one go. Crying out, I almost miss him say, “I don’t think I was kidding at all.”

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