Instead of gloating, a picture forms in my mind. Every morning, waking Haven up this way. With my fingers or my mouth, filling the room with her pleasured sounds. Not just in this room, but my bedroom in my cabin, a place that’s never had a woman inside.
First, I lent her my clothes, and now I’m thinking about taking her home. By now, I’m not even disturbed by the thoughts. My mind wants to accept them. It’s too exhausting fighting them.
I’ve only ever known lust, but this is new. And here I thought love was ridiculous.
Pulling my hands away, I enjoy the shiver that wracks through her. It’s the slow blink of her eyes, like she’s lost in a daze.
“Your body telling you that you want more?” Tilting my head, I take in her flushed thighs, still glistening. Her knees are flushed, spreading down to her ankles. Beneath the pink, faded white scars. Not from small scrapes, but lengthy ones.
Without thinking, I’m touching one. Just as my thumb grazes a staple scar, I’m getting kicked hard enough to make me grunt.
Haven sits up, disheveled. Shoving her fingers through her hair, she grimaces at herself. “My body is telling me that I need a hot shower. I feel gross.”
Humming my disagreement, I cradle her ankle when she tries to keep distance between us. Her toes curl, and I noticed they’re a chipped blue color.
There’s still so much about this woman that I don’t know. Things I haven’t noticed. Things Iwantto notice, but she won’t let me.
“Want me to lick you clean?”
Her other foot answers my offer with another kick. I’ll take that as a no.
* * *
Getting her something to cover her lower half, and something for the day, I sneak her to the shower so she can clean up.
The room is communal, full of stalls. Two of them are already being used by who knows. Haven’s hesitant.
“I’ll be right next to you.” Absently stroking her back, my mouth curves. “Be more worried about me than them. I’ll be the one fighting a war not to join you.”
Her scoff is cute, but it’s the truth. Just thinking about picking her up and pressing her against the tile wall is enough to make me consider coaxing her into a stall now.
Haven’s got a point. I really am horny. I know I’m not this bad, either. Like I’m in heat, all I can think about isher.
The damage is done, might as well roll with it.
She gives one last worried look toward the steam rolling from the top before moving to a stall. Jerking the curtain shut, it takes her a couple of minutes before she’s finally showering.
Ireallywant to join her.
Running my fingers through my hair, I choose not to push my luck, deciding to keep my word and slip in next to her.
Haven’s doesn’t take long to clean up. She’s too fast, not even giving me time to let my imagination run around. Knowing her, she’s done it on purpose, forcing me to finish early, too.
While she’s towel drying her hair, I’m resting against the sink, drinking her in. She had makeup on before. Now, she’s bare.
“Stop staring at me.” She keeps her eyes forward, keeping her attention on her reflection.
I don’t. I’m too busy staring at the scar on her chin and the one across the bridge of her nose.
She sighs at my defiance. Pausing the motion of her hands, she turns her eyes toward me. “Be honest with me. What’s the chance of Paulie still being alive?”
I don’t want to be honest with her. The truth is just going to make her cry again.
Moving closer to her, I keep my voice low. “Depends on whether the other party can keep their word or not.”
“You seem to know them. Are they trustworthy?”
Not one bit.
