Diego chuckled, the sound low and satisfied. “That’s not usually what people call me, but I’ll take it.”
I laughed despite myself, feeling lighter than I had in months. Maybe years. “Shut up.”
“Make me,” he challenged, pressing a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth.
I turned my head to catch his lips properly, the kiss slower now but no less intense. His hand was still between us, sticky with our combined release, but somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to care about the mess.
When we finally broke apart, Diego glanced down at our bodies and grinned. “Well, looks like I need another shower. Care to join me this time?”
The invitation sent a fresh wave of heat through me, despite having just come harder than I ever had in my life. “I think that could be arranged.”
He led me back into the bathroom, turning on the shower again.As steam began to fill the room, he pulled me against him once more, his hands gentle on my waist.
“You know,” he said conversationally, though there was something careful in his tone, “this wasn’t exactly how I planned to get you the first time.”
I tensed slightly, preparing for the letdown, the regret. “Oh?”
“Yeah,” he continued, his thumb tracing circles on my hip. “I was thinking maybe dinner first. You know, like civilized people. Maybe we could…”
I blinked at him, processing his words. “Are you... asking me out? After we just?—”
“Yeah, I know, backwards as hell,” he laughed, but there was a hint of nervousness beneath his usual confidence. “But better late than never, right? So, what do you say, Freckles? Let me take you to dinner tomorrow?”
The question hung between us, weighted with possibilities I wasn’t ready to examine too closely. But as I looked at him, this ridiculous, gorgeously rugged man and his cocky smile that somehow made me feel both irritated and breathless, I found I couldn’t say no.
“Dinner would be amazing,” I replied, feeling lighter than I had in a long time. Then I leaned close, poking a finger to his chest. “But don’t expect me to put out. I’m classy.”
Diego threw back his head and laughed, the sound echoing off the bathroom tiles as steam swirled around us. His hands slid down to cup my ass, pulling me closer.
“Is that right? You’re classy?” His eyes sparkled with mischief. “Coulda fooled me with those noises you were making a minute ago.”
I felt my face flush, but I didn’t back down. “Those were... classy moans.”
“Mmm-hmm.” He pressed a kiss to my neck, making me shiver despite the warmth ofthe shower. “Very refined.”
I smacked his shoulder lightly. “Are we getting in this shower or what? I’m sticky.”
“Your wish is my command.” He guided me into the spray, the hot water cascading over us both.
There was something strangely intimate about washing each other, more intimate even than what we’d just done against the door. Diego’s hands were gentle as they soaped my back, my shoulders, trailing down my sides with reverence. I returned the favor, marveling at the hard planes of his body, the way the water sluiced down his chest and abdomen.
“You’re staring again,” he murmured, tilting my chin up.
“Can you blame me?” I admitted. “You’re... a lot to take in.”
His smile softened, something vulnerable flickering in his eyes before he masked it with his usual cockiness. “Right back at ya, Freckles.”
After we’d rinsed off, Diego grabbed a towel and, to my surprise, began drying me with unexpected tenderness. No one had ever done that for me before. Tommy certainly hadn’t. Tommy had been all about himself, always.
“What are you thinking about?” Diego asked, wrapping the towel around my waist. “You got quiet on me.”
I shook my head. “Nothing important.”
He studied me for a moment, like he knew I was lying, but didn’t push. Instead, he grabbed another towel for himself, quickly drying off before leading me back into the bedroom.
“So...” I said awkwardly, suddenly unsure what happened next. Was he still planning on sleeping in the tub? Was it okay to share a bed now? Would all of this bereally fucking weirdwhen the sun came up tomorrow morning?
Diego seemed to sense my uncertainty. “Which side do you like best?” he asked simply, pulling back the covers on the rose petal covered bed. “Unless you don’t want to share.”
