My cheeks catch fire. We both have scratchy, raspy morning voice, and now Clive knows we’re both at the Fairmont. Together. At eight o’clock in the morning. And I’m still…just a client. “Hi…uh, Clive. I can be ready to go in an hour. Then leave the office around seven.”
“Okay. I’ll be there. Going to stop at the hospital to check on Mom first, then I’ll swing by. See ya’, boss. Evianna.”
The call clicks off, and I stammer, “I n-need a shower.”
Snagging my wrist before I can ease out of bed, Dax holds on tight. “Are you okay, darlin’?”
“Fine.” I rest my free hand on top of his for a brief moment, then pull away. I can’t figure out how to put my anger, frustration, and yes…hurt…into words. I don’t think he even realizes what he said—or how it made me feel, but I have to put some space between us to figure it out.
As I close myself in the bathroom, I steal one last glance at him, still in bed, and it’s like someone clamped a vise down on my heart. Such a tough, strong man, muscular, scarred, and proud, and yet, the confusion written in the furrow of his brow makes him look like a lost puppy.
Swiping at my traitorous eyes, I turn on the shower, hoping the hot water will wash away these conflicting feelings before I break down completely.
Dax
Scrubbing my hands over my cheeks, I try to figure out what the hell I did. She’s upset, and from her tone, it’s my fault. Unsurprising, since I don’t have the first fucking clue how to be…sweet. Or what I’m supposed to do when I piss someone off.
Feeling my way along the wall, I head for the bathroom and knock. “Evianna? Can I come in?”
Over the gentle patter of the shower, I think I hear her say yes. Or…at least I hope I do. “Can I…join you?”
This isn’t me. Trying to be romantic. But, she makes me want to be a better man. A different man. A man who always knows what she needs.
“It’s a deep tub. Stand back a minute.”
The animation and tenderness is gone from her voice, and as a cloud of steam hits me, I think the shower door swings on its hinges. “I’m going to take your hand,” she says. Her warm, wet fingers curl around mine, and she guides my palm to the edge of the tub.
“I’m good now. There an ‘oh shit’ bar on the wall?”
The weak laugh I get in response does little to calm the churning in my gut, but as soon as I’m standing next to her, she shows me exactly where it is. “Shampoo and conditioner, in order from left to right, on the little shelf just below the bar.” Turning away from me, I think she raises her arms, and the tone of the water changes.
“Can I…?” Nearly knocking the little bottle of shampoo off the shelf, I flick the cap open and pour some into my hands. I need to touch her. To do something for her to fix whatever it is I fucked up.
“Dax—”
“Please, darlin’. I don’t know why you’re angry with me, but I need to touch you.” I’m not proud of how unsure I sound, and with the shampoo dripping from my fingers, I probably look like a fucking idiot.
With a sigh, she steps closer, and her wet hair tickles my palms. Following the strands, I start to massage her scalp, and she leans against me, some of the tension melting from her shoulders. “You called me a client.”
The words are so soft, I almost don’t hear them over the water and my own heartbeat roaring in my ears. “What?”
“On the phone. You called me a client. I thought—” she snorts, and drops her head, “—I don’t know what I thought. Never mind. It’s nothing.”
Oh, shit. “It’s not nothing.” With one arm around her waist and the other hand tangled in her hair, I press my hips to the generous globes of her ass. I need her. Want her. And my dick seems determined to make that very obvious. But I need her heart a hell of a lot more. More than I ever thought possible.
Gently turning her, I shield her eyes as I guide her head under the spray. “What…do you want to be?” The tender kiss I brush to her lips makes her breath stall in her chest, and she digs her fingers into my obliques. “Tell me, darlin’.”
“More.”
“You are more.” Stupid, Dax. And barely an answer. Feeling my way around the shower walls, I find an empty space and press her back to the tiles. “I’m not a good bet, Evianna. Not someone you should want. Can’t you see that?”
“No. I don’t. What I see, Dax, is a man who’s willing to do anything to keep me safe. A man who’s funny—when he lets himself relax—who cares about his employees and friends, who knows just what to say when I’m feeling like my life’s spiraling out of control. And a man who thinks his value is somehow tied to his sight.”
The water heats my back, but against my chest, Evianna’s nipples harden, and under my hands, gooseflesh rises along her arms. “You’re cold,” I say as I move her back under the spray, then take the soap and start massaging her shoulders. “I wish I could find the words…”
“Try,” she whispers.
Sliding my hands down, cupping her breasts, I skate my thumbs over her nipples, and the tiny moan tumbling from her lips has me hard for her in a single breath. With one hand continuing to lavish attention on her breast, I trail my other to her slick folds. The scent of her arousal mixes with the steam, and fuck. I wish I could take her right here.
