“Neither. The only reason she suggested a shower was so we could do things we are not doing. Boundaries, Fenris, remember?” I grabbed two towels from the warmer and shoved one at him. “Change into that and don’t come out until I say it’s okay.”
Not waiting for him to answer, I marched out of the bathroom and shut the door behind me.
Peeling layers of cold, wet clothes off took longer than I anticipated.
“I can hear you struggling,” Fenris said through the door. “Want some help?”
“No. But I swear I’m going shopping for jeans that aren’t skintight. This is stupid.” With a grunt, I pulled my foot free and tossed the jeans on top of the pile by the door. Dressed in my bralette and underwear, I wrapped the towel around my torso.
“You can come out if you’re appropriately covered,” I said.
The door swung open, and Fenris strode out with a towel riding low on his hips. Covering his boy bits hadn’t done a thing to mute his mouthwatering appeal. The expanse of his muscled chest drew more than my gaze.
I realized what I was doing on the third step I’d taken toward him.
The corner of his mouth tipped up when I stopped.
“I was thinking the same thing,” he said. “That towel is teasing me in all the right ways.”
My vision changed, and my hunger stirred.
Mom took that moment to open the door. I didn’t think, I reacted. My head swung in her direction.
“Leave now, Mother.”
Her eyes went wide, and she immediately backed out of the room.
Fenris moved closer, his radiating heat warming my skin without a single touch.
“You’re cold and hungry,” he said softly. “Any chance you’d consider feeding?”
I stared at the door, refusing to turn my head and look at him. If I did, I’d lose any remaining control I had.
“I’m cold and hungry,” I said, echoing his words to acknowledge the truth in them. “Now might not be the time to push me, or you’ll find yourself alone in my mom’s house.”
Moving around him, I grabbed his clothes then mine. I didn’t try to tell him to stay, already knowing he wouldn’t listen. We’d come here for a reason, and he’d see it through. Hopefully, my sanity would remain intact until we were done.
Dad paused in the hallway when I opened the bedroom door. We both stared at each other for a few seconds before he held out his arms for the clothes.
“Your mom is in the kitchen. She would like to speak with you if you’re willing.”
Fenris cleared his throat lightly behind me. I barely refrained from rolling my eyes at his blatant demand for an introduction.
“Dad, this is Fenris. My boyfriend.” Those last two words were so hard to say. But, I hoped it would help speed along our visit.
Fenris’s hand extended around me, and Dad briefly clasped it.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Mr. Howland. I apologize for showing up unannounced.”
“Nonsense. Any friend of Eliana’s is welcome here.” Dad’s gaze shifted to me. “Fenris can stay with me if that will make you more comfortable while you talk to your mother.”
Given my reaction to her when she’d opened the door, I nodded in agreement.
“Let’s see if we can find you something more than a towel to wear,” Dad said, motioning to Fenris.
I made my way to the kitchen, my stomach twisting with my nerves and guilt. Mom waited at the table. She didn’t stand and hug me like she usually did. Instead, she looked at the table while she spoke to me.
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I never meant to interrupt you. I only…” She sniffled ominously, and I hurried to hug her.
