Page 67 of Rum Sips and Salty Lips

The fabric of his shirt is soft. I smile, realizing it’s one of mine.

We make it up the stairs. I point to my bedroom at the end of the hallway. He scoffs when we enter it.

“What?” I ask.

“It looks exactly like I pictured.”

I keep it neat and tidy. My bed is made with white linens and my laundry is tucked away in the closet. He pauses before weenter the bathroom, staring at a picture hanging on the wall. It’s me doing a handstand in front of a waterfall.

“You remember my favorite yoga retreat was Thailand,” I say. It’s risky bringing up the game we played on his boat. But he stays silent.

He whistles when we enter my bathroom. “This is home remodeling porn,” he says.

My house needs updating. I’m doing it slowly, room by room. After the yoga space, I did my bathroom. I need an oasis at home. I turn on the taps for the soaking tub and adjust the temperature. I find a eucalyptus bath bomb in my cabinet and place it on the side. “You can get in whenever. Once it’s full, drop this in. It should help ease any muscle soreness. Those towels are clean. I’ll be downstairs if you need anything.”

He stares at me. “I’m not doing this alone.”

“What?”

“You’re getting in with me.”

“No I’m not. Friends don’t take baths with each other.”

“Friends don’t let friends recover from sex injuries by themselves. Especially when the friend caused the injury.”

I bite my lip, which I’m sure doesn’t help because I’m absolutely thinking about his naked body against mine and what would happen if I kissed him. “Fine, let me grab my wine. I’ll be right back.” My will is weak.

“Get me one too,” he calls after me.

I run downstairs before he can ask for anything else and gather my nerves. I want this. I want to spend time with him. I want to know his moods better than anyone else.

I’m so happy he’s here and he needs me.

This is temporary, I remind myself. I’ll enjoy him a little longer and I’ll end it before he does. My mother was humiliated when my father served her divorce papers. She complained about it for years. That won’t happen to me.

I refill my chardonnay and grab a glass of water for him.

When I get upstairs, he’s lounging in the filling tub. God, his naked body is something to be admired. He’s tanned from the hours he spends in the sun, somehow avoiding any lines or pale spots. His chest and arms are defined by the hard work he does.

“No mixing alcohol and painkillers.” I hand him the water. I strip my clothes out of sight and take a deep breath. He’s seen me naked before. But this is different. He’s not consuming my body this time.

He looks up at me as I approach the side of the tub. I see hunger and lust in his eyes. I’ve never doubted he’s attracted to me, but it’s humbling to see it so evident.

He reaches for my hand, helping me step into the water. I turn off the taps and drop the bath bomb in. He touches my shoulder and pulls me against him. I’m between his legs and my back rests on his chest. He wraps his arms around me and holds me tight.

The lights are on and he’s in pain and this isn’t romantic. But it’s caring and intimate and so very trusting. His lips brush my temple and I close my eyes.

“Thank you,” Orion whispers.

I hum a response. This feels amazing. I’m taking care of him. We’re both stripped raw. It was never like this with Hamilton. But this isn’t even a relationship. It’s not heading anywhere.

We lie like this for a long time. The water fades to warm, then cool. I finish my wine and he drinks his water. I tell him about my day. About the prep work we did for the wedding. He tells me about the repairs they have to do on the boats.

“It’s late,” I say when we’re drying off and the tub is draining. “You should stay.”

I hope he doesn’t notice the quiver in my voice, giving away how scared I am he’ll decline. I’m not ready for the calm betweenus to end. It’s a risk letting him this close. But I’ll take it this one time.

He cocks his head to the side. The bath must have helped because his attitude has returned. He knows I only have one bed on this floor. I’m asking him to sleep with me. In my bed. For him to invade my space further.

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