Page 30 of Ghost
“Umm—”
He caught her arm before she could sprint from the bathroom.“Easy.”A scowl carved his brow but he said nothing else as he snagged the lapels of the flannel and peeled it off her shoulders.She wore only the black sports bra and shorts, both pasted to her like a second skin.The air danced over her flesh, drawing her nipples into nubs.
His eyes slinked over her body, his mouth tense.Her pulse quickened at having him so close and every curve of her body on display.Sliding his hands around her waist, he lifted her from the counter to stand inside the tub.
The warm spray hit her body.She sucked in a sharp breath as the droplets pummeled her skin.A wave of dizziness hit her, and she grabbed the wall before her knees buckled.
He was behind her, one hand on her hip, the other on her bicep.“You good, Anna?”His voice was close to her ear, as smooth as brandy and just as intoxicating.
“Yes,” she managed to say.The word came out strangled.
He must not have believed her because he didn’t drop his hands.Allowing him to hold her so she didn’t crumple, she cupped her palms beneath the spray.Every inch of her skin puckered painfully.The sharp sting of hot water against cold skin was unforgiving.
But she’d rather die than step out.
“Go ahead and use the soap.”He paused then added gruffly, “Wash your hair, too.”
She dipped her head so the spray coated her scalp.“Why are you still calling me that?”
“Hmm?”He sounded tense.Distracted.
“Anna.That’s not my name.”
He chortled.She wanted to turn around and face him, but she didn’t dare risk him dropping his hands.
“You were telling the truth about the name Mila?”
“Yes.”Her voice shook as a shiver ran through her.She’d probably never get warm.Well, if he kept touching her, she might.
He didn’t say anything.
She poured shampoo from the bottle in the shower caddy into her palm.The woodsy scent of pine filled the mist and relaxed her muscles.“What should I call you?”
“You’ve called me a lot of names.”
That made her glance over her shoulder, her hands wrapped around her sudsy head.“Oh, please.I think I had good reason.”
“Maybe,” he conceded, his eyes glittering with amusement.“Asshole or not, I saved your life twice.”
She couldn’t stop the laugh that came out—indignant, but also laced with genuine humor.“For your own benefit.”
“And you tried to kill me for yours.”
Sighing, she turned to rinse her hair.Once the shampoo was gone, she wiped the lingering bubbles from her face.She was showering with the man she’d been hired to kill.The ridiculousness wasn’t lost on her.“We’re all out for ourselves.Survival of the fittest.”
He spun her around to face him.Dark-gray eyes flitted over her face.Small droplets of water speckled his chest and neck.He was so much taller than her.Huge, actually.
She was strong and fast, but if he wanted, he could crush her with his bare hands.
“Don’t do it again,” he growled.His fingers dug into her hips, but not to the point it hurt.
“Is that a threat?”
“Damn right.You run again, I’m going to slap your ass when I find you.”
Her mouth dropped open.“You so much as—”
“Give me a reason, Mila.Please.”
