Delicious heat spread to her face. “Um, you don’t have to . . . I’m fine. Just a little nervous.”
Moving past her, he held his hand under the spray, then yanked it out. “Jesus, woman. You want any skin left on your body or what?”
She couldn’t help but smirk. “It’s not that hot.”
“Yeah, and I’m not riddled with sin either.” He stepped into the tub and held out his palm. “Come on.”
Warmth spread through her. She placed her fingers in his and he helped her step into the spray. He turned so his back shielded her from the water pelting down. Steam surrounded her.
Atlas brought his hands to her shoulders. “You good?” His intense, scrutinizing gaze searched every inch of her face.
She couldn’t hide her fears. Not from him. “I’m okay. A little anxious.”
His mouth settled into a thin line. “Tell me if it gets to be too much.” He picked up a bar of soap, scrubbed it between his hands, then ran his palms over her back, working in gentle, cleansing circles all the way down her body.
Despite the sensual scene, he didn’t linger when he reached her breasts, didn’t play with her ass or slip his fingers where she would’ve welcomed them.
She wanted a distraction. She couldn’t get the man’s masked face from her head. Atlas straightened, then backed up so the water rushed over her body. She leaned closer to his chest.
“Not so bad?” he asked.
She rested her hand on his jaw. “Nothing’s bad when you’re here.”
His gaze held hers with understanding, then dropped to her neck. Anger flashed in his eyes. He moved his thumb gently over the tender skin. “I hate that you got hurt.” His voice was so thick with regret, it made her heart ache.
She hugged him, bringing her cheek to his chest. “It wasn’t your fault, Atlas.”
His warm, large hands splayed over her back. “No, but I want you to know it won’t happen again.”
“I hope you’re right.” Her stomach growled.
“You must be hungry. Let’s hurry and get out.” He reached for the shampoo bottle and gestured for her to turn around. A minute later he finished scrubbing and her legs were jelly.
The man was an expert with his hands.
After he rinsed the suds, he slathered her strands in conditioner then eased her head to rest on his shoulder. The spray washed over her hair. She tipped her head back more and a rush of water ran over her nose and mouth.
She gasped and sputtered, jerking forward. The memory of being underwater, inches from oxygen, assaulted her mind.
Atlas’s calm hands caught her biceps, steadying her. “You’re okay. Just breathe.”
She turned to face him. Rivulets ran over his shoulder and down his chest. Her gaze focused on the bullet hole below his shoulder.
He cupped her cheek. “Hey. Nothing’s going to happen to you. Not with me here.”
Droplets of water rolled down her cheeks. “I don’t know what I’d do if you weren’t.”
His face softened and his lips parted. He brought his mouth down on hers, kissing her softly. She rose onto her toes, and his hands settled on her hips. Carefully, he eased back.
Heat stained his cheeks. “Not to rush you or anything, but if we don’t get out of here soon, I won’t be able to hold back.”
Desire rippled over her skin, turning her nipples hard. Before she could say anything, he pulled her close and finished rinsing the conditioner from her hair. He pushed the strands over her shoulder, then reached behind him and turned off the tap.
He stepped onto the bathmat, then snagged a towel from the rack and held it open for her. God, he was so unfazed. She couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious about how thin she’d become. Though he didn’t seem to mind.
Atlas, however, just stood there in all his glory. “Coming out?”
She nodded and stepped out of the tub. He bundled the towel around her while she drank in his body as if he were a bottle of champagne. Her gaze stopped on the sharp indent in his thigh.
