Page 83 of Embers

“I’ve always liked to… to take care of you.” I want to see his face right now, but I can’t seem to raise my eyes. I wish my hair was loose so I could hide behind it.

“Other than my mom, no one ever took care of me until you.”

“I know. I wish that wasn’t true.”

He puts a gentle hand on my chin to lift my face so he can see it better. “It feels like you got somethin’ to say, baby. Whatever it is, I wanna hear it.”

I clear my throat. Try to tell him what I’m feeling.

Nothing comes out.

“Okay.” He eases me back slightly so he can stand up. “Whenever you’re ready. We got plenty of time.”

This relieves me enough to let me relax. I turn my back toward the waterfall as he strips down and gets under. I can hear him moving. Splashing. Rubbing his body.

And I really want to look.

But that would be inappropriate. I can’t leer at him during a private activity. Even though he’s obviously into me, I still can’t peek at him naked unless he gives me permission.

It wouldn’t be right.

But I really want to see his body right now.

“Something wrong over there, Rachel?”

“What?” I’m so surprised my response comes out slightly shrill.

“Seems like somethin’ might be wrong.”

“Why would you even think that?”

“Your back is lookin’ kinda anxious.”

My cheeks are flushing. My heartbeat is accelerating. “You can’t possibly tell how I’m feeling by the look of my back.”

“Sure, I can.” It sounds like he’s stepped away from the waterfall. Closer to me. “I can read how you’re feeling from the smallest details, exactly as you can with me. So tell me what’s wrong, baby. You’re startin’ to worry me.”

The slight break in his voice is what pushes me into the admission. “There’s nothing to worry about. I just… I just want to look at you.”

Shit, I sound absolutely ridiculous. Is it possible for me to be any more awkward about this situation?

“Then turn the fuck around, baby.” It sounds like he might be smiling.

He is. I see the smile on his face when I turn in his direction. Then my eyes dart down irresistibly to the rest of his wet, naked body. The soap lather clinging to his abdomen. Long legs. Thick thighs. Half-erect cock.

This last item definitely steals my attention for a minute. He seems to get harder as I stare.

Cal is still grinning covertly as he steps back under the waterfall to finish soaping up.

“You shouldn’t be so smug about it,” I tell him. “You wanted to look at me too, didn’t you?”

“Damn right, I did.”

“Well, maybe you still can.” I reach for the bottom of my T-shirt, preparing to pull it off. Then freeze in place when I see his face change. “You don’t want to?”

“Shit, you know I do. You can look at me naked anytime you want, but if you get naked too, then it’s gonna be real hard for me to hold back. I wanna give you all the time and space you need, but I also don’t wanna… torture myself.”

Now I understand his hesitance. I understand everything. And I’m washed with joy and excitement as I step over toward the cascading water. “I don’t want to torture you either, Cal.”

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