“Good?”
“Perfect.”
I shut off the water and walk toward the door, letting him slip out of his clothes. I hear him chuckle, then fabric hits the floor. Okay. And he’s naked. So, so naked. Don’t look. Don’t make it weird.
“So um, let me know if you need anything.” I look at the wall and not at the very naked hockey player standing in the middle of the bathroom. Blue walls. What a great paint job. Is it hot in here? It must be the steam from the water.
“While I appreciate the privacy, I do need help getting into the tub.” He chuckles.
“Oh um, here.” I stick my arm out blindly, shutting my eyes as I turn.
“Felix.” His amused chuckle is low and deep, his voice as masculine as the rest of him.
“Y-yeah?”
“Open your eyes.” Slowly I blink them open, keepingthem on his face. “I don’t want to slip. This is honestly the trickiest part of all this bullshit.”
“I just want to give you privacy.” Eyes. Focus on his eyes. Pretty, blueish eyes.
He smiles at that. “Appreciated, but I’ve been in locker rooms with other naked men all my life. I don’t even know what modesty is at this point. It’s alright, just help me in. And don’t sell nudes of me.”
“I wouldn’t sell your nudes.” I smile. “I’d keep them for myself.”
The joke slips, and my eyes widen with it. His deep laugh hugs me, calms me. “Good. Now, help me in.” I nod, helping brace him as he slips slowly into the water, keeping my eyes safely above sea level. Grey may have no issue with nudity, but I still want to give him privacy. A low hiss slips past his lips.
“Too hot?”
He shakes his head as he sinks into the milky water. “Fucking perfect.” His groan tugs at something inside me. What’s going on with me?
“Good um, let me go clean. I’ll come back in a bit to check on you.” I get up, but he holds onto my pant leg. “What?”
“Can you keep me company? Just while I’m in here?”
“Oh um.” I sit on the toilet seat. “Sure. Yeah.” He smiles, shutting his eyes. “Not too hot?” He shakes his head. “Good.” I shift on the seat a bit uncomfortably. “Um, I wanted to ask. When do you want me to shop for groceries? Do you order them? Or do you always pick them up? I just want to know so I can plan meals. Oh, and allergies. Do you have allergies?”
One of Grey’s eyes pops open. “You can buy groceries on my app anytime you think we need them. Buy whatever you want, and I usually add stuff to the app throughout the week. I’ll show you how. Anytime you need anything, just add it to the cart. I usually have them delivered once a week,or Alyssa will do a pickup for me if she’s on the way.” He shuts his eyes again, resting his head on the lip of the tub, the milky water covering his body. “No allergies. I eat anything, so make meals you want to eat. Whatever you want.”
“Okay.” My fingers play in my lap. “Um, Andre seems nice. That’s uh, your friend’s fiancé, right?”
His eyes slowly open, sleepy and satiated. His hair is up again in a tie, and his beard is a bit long, but even with the scruffy beard he’s very handsome, and maybe a bit scary. His blue eyes soften at the edges. They fill me with warmth. “Yeah, they just got engaged. I know Oli mentioned getting married this summer.” He shakes his head. “Happening so fast.” He stretches his neck with a wince.
“Are you alright?”
“Just tight. Everything is sore. I actually fell asleep in my chair last night.” He looks up, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Had my knee propped up like a good boy.” A wolfish grin spreads on his face, and a smile splits my own.
“Do you want a massage? I’m good at those.” Steven requested them all the time, but I can safely say this is the first time I’ve actually wanted to give one. I look at his broad shoulders, muscular biceps, and strong corded neck, then my attention goes to his eyes that are watching me. I swallow. Shit, I have to stop checking him out like this.
“Sure.” He looks at my clothes. “Why don’t you sit on the edge of the tub. I bought you new pants to change into if you get wet.”
“Okay.” I slip my pants off. I really don’t want to get them wet. I know he undressed me the other night; I woke up in my boxers. I must have been a mess. I can’t believe I got so drunk in front of him. I’ve never drunk like that before.
While Steven didn’t stop me from doing it—he drank plenty—I never wanted to let my guard down around him.With Grey the other night, though... I don’t know. I felt free. Really free. I felt free, and more importantly, safe.
With just my boxers and shirt on, I sit behind him on the ledge of his wide tub, and he lifts a bit, allowing my legs to dip into the scorching water. “Holy shit.”
“Too hot?”
“It’s very hot.” I laugh. “It’s okay, though.” The heat feels good. He settles back against the tub between my knees, and my fingers land on his shoulders, giving them a squeeze. His skin is so soft.
