He steps into the shower, and suddenly the massive space feels tiny. Spencer’s presence fills every inch, his body radiating heat that has nothing to do with the water.
“Hi,” he says softly, backing me gently against the tile wall.
“Hi.” My hands rest on his chest, loving the feel of his muscles as his heart thumps below my palms.
The former SEAL is so big and vital. The opposite of me in every way.
He cups my face with his callused hand, tilting it up to his. “We don't have to do anything you're not ready for.”
“I know.”
“I just wanted to be close to you.” His thumb strokes my cheekbone. “Wanted to touch you. See you. All of you.”
“Same here. I like the view.” I rise on my toes, pressing my lips to his. “Now touch me.”
He groans into my mouth, his hands sliding down my sides, learning my shape as they slip around to my butt. The kiss starts tender but quickly turns desperate. gliding tongues and bumping teeth, ragged breathing, and barely restrained need.
The water cascades over us both as his hands explore, mapping every curve, every dip. When his fingers skim the underside of my breast, I gasp against his mouth.
“So soft,” he murmurs, breaking the kiss to trail his lips down my neck. “You're a dream come true, Liberty.”
I thought I would be self-conscious, but not with him.
Those large, warm hands continue their journey, across my stomach, gripping my hips again and pulling me flush against him. The feel of skin on skin makes me ache and shiver.
Spence is hard and ready, pressed against my belly.
His voice is extra husky. “Are you sure you're okay?”
“Maybe a little nervous,” I confess.
“I've got you. Let me hold you.” He lifts me easily, a hand scooping below my thigh and my legs wrapping around his waist instinctively.
“Just let me hold you like this. Just for a minute.”
All my nerves evaporate being in his arms, even though I'm open to him, my legs wide around him. I feel protected. Cocooned in his strength.
“There's my girl,” he murmurs. “That's it. Let me show you what it's like to be safe.”
We stay like that, the water streaming over us, my head resting against his neck as we breathe each other in. It's intimate in a way that has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with connection.
“I want you,” I whisper. “So much it scares me.”
“I know, baby. It's a lot.” He presses a kiss to my temple. “Letting someone close can be hard.”
I pull back so I can see his eyes. “You're incredible. I do feel safe. It feels like a lot, but at the same time it feels right.”
“There's no rush, Liberty.”
Only there is. “Our bubble of isolation will be over in two days. What if I don't want to wait anymore?”
His laugh is strained. “Doesn’t matter. Doesn’t have to happen while we are here. When you’re ready, the time will be right.”
“Put me down,” I order, the idea taking root so fast I can barely contain it.
His brow furrows as he carefully lets me down. “You okay?”
“More than okay.” I wiggle in his grip. “But I want to do something for you.”
