“I might take that as you care.”
“We wouldn’t want you to be disillusioned.”
She glares at me before her head disappears under the water. I love how expressive she is.
I count to sixty, but she still hasn’t emerged. Led by panic, I pull her up. Bubbles cling to her hair and lashes, making her look so damn appealing—wet, rosy and flushed.
“You do care, don’t you?” she asks with a big smile.
“What has gotten into you?”
“You. You have gotten into me,” she snaps, and for a moment, I can’t form words.
“And by the way. I can hold my breath underwater for a lot longer than sixty seconds.” She gives me that sass I crave too much for my liking. I should leave her ass here, but I stay firmly planted. I wouldn’t be able to close my eyes if I didn’t know she was in bed.
I get her shower gel, and no wonder she smells so delicious with that combination of strawberry, vanilla, and magnolia. Someone managed to bottle the scent that corrupts my senses, one after the other.
We both stare at the bottle in my hand and then at each other. She gulps. I swallow. The air brims with that mix of temptation and forbidden. This is tricky, but she doesn’t say no, which is both torment and relief.
I’ve got this.I have perfect control over my urges. It’s just a body. Think of Mia and Celine. But those thoughts are flimsy compared to the view of Bailey, and they’re not good enough to put a stop to my erection. I am fucking fucked.
“If it’s such a horrible task, give it to me,” she says, snatching the bottle from my hand. Something unpleasant hits my chest. I am about to steal the bottle from her when she starts washing her body. I stare transfixed. Never in a million years did I imagine I’d be here, watching her clean herself, actually jealous of her hands—because I want mine to be all over her. She lays herself out for me like a feast, and I feel as though I’ve been starving for an eternity with the way I hunger for her. Soft curves, flawless skin, and good god, but those little freckles painting a constellation on her face undo me. She’s out of this world gorgeous.
I turn around and grab a towel from the rack.
“If you can wash yourself, then why—” I can’t even finish that sentence. I’m too wired up.
“Was curious to see how far you’d take it.”
I can’t shake the impression that she intentionally taunts and tantalizes me. Maybe she’s not as innocent as I made her to be in my head.
“Playing with fire will get you burned, kitten.”
“Ah, Hunter, don’t you know? I am a phoenix.”
When I turn around, she stands up. Bubbles and water glide down her mouthwatering body, revealing herself in all her magnificent, naked glory—a goddess, tempting me to fall to my knees and become a disciple at her altar.
I have her wrapped in the towel in under a second.
She giggles. “I might have found something you’re scared of.”
“I’m not scared, Bailey. But you should be…”
The innuendo is not lost on either of us. Sparks crackle in the space. One move, and it might be the match to burn everything around us.
I dry her quickly and then move to her silky red and golden hair. Inhaling her maddening scent, a silent volcano rumbles inside me, threatening to blast.
“Will this be a recurring thing?” she asks, our eyes meeting in the mirror. “Do you take this good of care of all your students?”
“No. Only you need special care.”
“What an honor.” Her sass breaks through my control, and before I can stop myself, impulse takes over, and I smack her ass cheek.
Her eyes widen into two incredulous orbs, and she smiles. I take a step back, running both hands through my hair. “Stop.”
“Sorry, you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”
She wears a satisfied look as she goes to her walk-in closet and comes out clad in silk shorts and a top that does nothing to tame my hunger. If I didn’t know better, I’d say she’s challenging me to see how far I’d take it.