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Concern immediately lost its battle with appreciation.

God help me—bruised or not, the man was magnificent.

Broad shoulders. Thick chest. Narrow hips. Powerful thighs. And my eyes had no intention of stopping there.

Despite every bruise and mark, he was still the sexiest man I had ever seen, and my eyes had no intention of keeping that opinion private.

“Eyes up, Mouse.”

“No.”

He laughed, dragging both hands through his hair while water ran over his shoulders and down his back. Then he reached for the soap and worked it across his chest, my gaze following the movement of his hands.

I sank a little lower in the bath, enjoying both the jets and the view.

“Now who’s staring?”

“I know. I can’t help myself.”

“Planning to join me?”

The shower was certainly large enough, and watching his soapy hands move over his stomach made the idea increasingly tempting.

“I thought you had work.”

“I do.”

“If I get in there, you won’t get it done.”

“Aye. That’s the problem.”

For several minutes, I simply enjoyed watching him.

There was something unexpectedly intimate about seeing him here, in his own bathroom. He was simply Lachlan, home after being gone too long, while I soaked in his bathtub and watched snow fall beyond the windows.

A few minutes later, he shut off the water, grabbed one of the warm towels, and dried himself before disappearing into the bedroom. He returned wearing black joggers and a dark T-shirt, barefoot, his damp hair still slightly unruly.

I liked seeing him this way.

“I really do have to work.”

“I understand. No worries. What do you have to do?”

“Too much. Slade’s been holding Xyst together, but I need to know what I’m walking back into there after being gone so long unexpectedly. Nik sent me everything DarkMatter has on Marcela, Mateo, and what’s left of Ciro’s organization. I also need to check security around this building now that Marcela knows you escaped with me.” He nodded toward the bedroom. “My office is right down the hall. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Sounds good.”

“If the bath makes you sleepy, get into bed. If it doesn’t, do whatever you want. Eat, read, watch television, wander around and open every cabinet in the place if that makes you happy.”

“Anything?”

“Within reason.”

“Who decides what’s reasonable?”

“Me.”

I laughed. “Of course.”