“Time for my skincare routine!” I clamor off the tub, humming as I crouch by my cabinets and collect what I need, decidedly ignoring what just happened between us. “You should do it with me. Your skin could use a little extra care,” I say as I pop back up.
“What does that mean?”
“I just think it’d help bring out the natural shine of your skin if you used toner and moisturizer like I do.” I press my hand below my chin, putting my face on display for him.
As I place my bottles of product on the counter, he picks them up, reading the labels. “No way am I letting you put this on me.” He folds his arms and leans against the doorjamb. “I’ll just watch you do it.”
I grab my cleanser, doing my best not to stare at his biceps. “Don’t make me say it, Jax.”
“Say what?”
“I could use the distraction.”
He groans, tilting his head back. “I’ll do a lot for you, Freckles, but I have to draw the line somewhere. It’s not happening.”
Not willing to accept his answer, I place a dollop of cleanser in my hands, swiping it across my skin as I explain what I’m doing. “This is an oil cleanser, so I rub it on for about one to two minutes. It’s important to rub down my neck and around my lymph nodes to help with lymphatic drainage and circulation. Then I’ll wipe it off with a warm washcloth.”
“That was a lot of words I don’tunderstand. You don’t need to explain it to me. I already told you I’m not—” Before he can reject me again, I apply some of the cleanser to his cheeks, rubbing it around. “Lauren!”
I draw back from him with a wild grin on my face. “Now that it’s already on there, you might as well rub it around for a couple minutes.”
He gives me a scowl but, to my satisfaction, does it anyway. After about thirty seconds, I reach over, grabbing his hand and guiding him along.
I hand him a warm washcloth, but instead of setting it aside when he’s done, he turns it over, grabbing my waist. He tugs me toward him and lifts my chin with his other hand. At his touch, chills echo down my spine.
“What are you doing?” My words are barely above a whisper.
“I’m helping you remove your cleanser. Please let me do this. You asked me to stay so you wouldn’t be alone, but it feels more like you wanted me here to take away my masculinity and force me into doing your skincare routine.”
“I’m not taking away your masculinity by giving you nice skin.”
He gives me a stern look that reminds me I’m supposed to be holding still for him, so I stop what I’m doing and stay quiet as he takes over.
His motions are gentle and methodic, and they lull me into noticing how blue his eyes are. Deep, like the ocean.
When he draws back, I don’t move, still looking into his eyes. It’s only when he speaks again that I realize I’m staring.
“Okay, what’s next?”
“Toner, followed by my magic serum, and then moisturizer tofinish.”
He tsks. “No wonder you don’t have time to read a book or ride Lucky. This must take up two hours of your day.”
“It’s only ten to fifteen minutes tops. Here.” I drip some toner onto his fingertips and show him the motions to rub it in, then guide him through the last two steps.
When we’re done, he turns to me. “Is my skin shining yet?”
“No, you have to do it daily.”
“I don’t think I can.”
I shrug. “I guess you’re just not dedicated enough.”
“I’d need your help to stick with it.”
My heart speeds up inside my chest. I can’t believe how much I like spending time with Jax. I appreciate that he willingly sat here with me through this elaborate process. I like how gentle he is with me, the way he teases me, and the softness in his gaze. He makes me think maybe, with the right person, moving on won’t be as complicated as I’d thought.
“Is it bedtime now?” he asks, breaking me from my thoughts.
