She snorted and rested her forehead on my chest, our breathing synced as I ran my hand up and down her back. We stayed there a minute, maybe two, before she chuckled against my skin. “So much for washing.”
“I can tell you, your tits are very clean. I was thorough.” I hoisted her, sliding out of her and set her back on the ground. I didn’t remove my touch from her though. “Let me finish washing you. I did promise to help.”
After another ten minutes in the shower, we were both washed, cleaned, and wrapped in one of her soft white towels. She twisted her hair up in a towel, which looked like a towel crown, and her gaze met mine in the mirror. “What? This… I shouldn’t be doing this with you, right? It’s too soon.”
“No, I love it.” I ran a hand over my jaw, so fucking charmed with her. She didn’t have an ounce of makeup, and the fuzzy robe went up to her damn neck, yet she was so fucking pretty. “I like that you’re comfortable with me.”
“Huh.” She chewed the corner of her lip, pushing one hip out to the side. “I am. Didn’t even think twice about this.” She gestured to her robe and towel. “I don’t think I have any comfy clothes for you.”
“The nice thing about this is that I can run home.” I winked and leaned against the wall, continuing to watch her. She still wore the toe ring, and it almost made me into a foot guy. “ButI’m fine in in this towel. It’s amazing. God, is this real adulting? Talking about fucking towels?”
Her eyes lit up in amusement as she walked by me. I took her hand, intertwining our fingers for a moment and staring at her hand.
She stilled and glanced up at me with questions on her face. “Are you always so touchy?”
“Pretty sure it’s my love language,” I replied, worried she’d pull away. “Is that gonna be a problem?”
She scrunched her nose in a cute little smile before stepping on her tiptoes and kissing me. “As long as we’re not in the office, no. Now come on. Let’s make some coffee and talk.”
Talk? A tug of worry pulled at me, but it eased when she looked at me with those warm eyes. I’d be here as long as she’d let me. I just hoped she truly meant she was open to us this time because I was too far gone for her to save myself. If she changed her mind and cut me off, I’d be devastated.
25
SLOANE
Oliver followed me into the kitchen, and I couldn’t explain how comforting and safe I felt with his presence. My heart fluttered as I started my espresso machine and poured the ground beans into the scoop. “How do you enjoy your coffee?”
“However it’s presented to me. Prefer it black usually.” He leaned against the counter, the towel hanging off his hips. I don’t think I’d ever get over how handsome and fit he was. My face flushed as he caught me grinning at him, and I busied myself with the coffee.
He chuckled softly and leaned forward, resting his elbows on the island counter. The position only showcased his biceps even more. “I don’t drink caffeine often though. Maybe a few times a week.”
“Because of your heart rate?”
“Yeah. Because of that.”
The machine whirred, the dark liquid coming out into the mug, but I faced him, arms crossed as a thought hit me. “Oliver, wait, you held me in the shower. Are you…are you feeling okay?”
“Love that you’re doing a wellness check on me now, but yes, I feel fucking incredible.”
“Are you sure?”
He pushed off and took my hand, then placed it over his warm bare chest. Despite everything we had already done together, an intimacy existed here that had my breath catching in my throat. “Feel my heart beat, Sloane. When I’m around you, it’s consistent, strong, safe.”
I took a second and counted his beats. They were steady. How could this sweet, kind, resilient man feel this way about me? I didn’t get it, and an unwarranted blush crept up my neck.
“What’s this blush for, baby?” Oliver ran his finger over my neck, his lips curving up into a half smirk. “We almost destroy a hotel room, then really enjoy your shower, yet you touching my chest makes you blush? Fascinating. You are fascinating.”
“You are so forward and open with your feelings about me. I’m not used to this level of honesty,” I said, my stomach clenching from even sharing that with him.
“And my honesty makes you blush?”
“Apparently.” I rolled my eyes and started the second espresso, handing Oliver’s his on a cute little plate. “The espresso machine and accessories were the first real gift I treated myself with when I moved here. I splurged on them, and I never splurge.”
“Jordan bought three versions of the same car but in different colors so he could pick what to drive based on his mood.” Oliver’s eyes crinkled on the sides. “Noah bought a food truck, which only lasted six months before he sold it. We all have our moments.”
“What did you buy?” I leaned against the counter, admiring him. His muscles constricted when he laughed, and I swore my blood heated being around him. “What was your thing?”
His smile faltered a bit as he gripped the back of his neck. “Not to be a downer, but my parents needed financial help, so I sent most of that paycheck to them.”
