Page 228 of Before Dawn

I sat without argument, letting her hands work into my shoulders, the tension melting away under her touch. My eyes drifted shut as she kneaded at the knots in my neck, the warmth of her hands grounding me in a way nothing else could.

After a while, she leaned down, pressing a kiss behind my ear. “You okay?”

I opened my eyes, reaching for her hand. “Better than ever.”

She smiled. “Good. Now, come with me.”

She led me into the bathroom, nudging me to sit on the edge of the tub. Grabbing the clippers, she sectioned my hair and began trimming with careful precision.

“You’re on a roll,” I murmured, watching her reflection in the mirror as she focused.

She smirked. “Of course I am. You’re my favorite client.”

I chuckled. “I’m youronly client.”

She shot me a playful look. “And that’s the way I like it.”

After finishing my haircut, she dusted off the loose hairs before tilting my chin up. “Stay still,” she instructed, grabbing a trimmer. With gentle strokes, she lined up my beard, smoothing out the edges before moving to my mustache.

I closed my eyes for a moment, enjoying the way her fingers brushed against my skin as she worked.

A few minutes later, she stepped back, admiring her work. “Perfect,” she declared, satisfaction clear in her tone.

I ran a hand over my freshly cut hair, smirking. “You’re getting better at this.”

She rolled her eyes, laughing. “I’ve always been good.”

Chuckling, I dusted the remaining hairs off my shoulders. “I need a shower.”

She met my gaze, something unspoken passing between us. Then, without a word, she took my hand and led me to the shower.

Steam curled around us as I turned on the water. She pulled my shirt over her head, revealing bare skin beneath. My breath caught, but she only held out her hand, waiting.

I stepped in, the hot water cascading over us as I pulled her close. We moved in sync, washing each other in silence, our touches slow and deliberate. The intimacy settled deep, reaching beyond words.

Later, tangled in the sheets, she rested her head on my chest, tracing soft patterns against my skin.

I didn’t need anything else. Everything I’d ever wanted was right here—with her.

“This is one of my favorite parts of our relationship, Red.”

She looked up at me. “What is?”

“Knowing that at the end of each day, no matter how it goes.” I paused, gazing at her with adoration. “I come home to the most beautiful woman who makes me the happiest.”

Her smile deepened, and she rested her forehead against mine. “And I always will,guapo,180” she whispered.

“You speaking Spanish makes my dick hard.”

She took my hand, guiding it between her legs. “You existing makes my pussy wet. So, we’re even.”

I grinned. I guess we were.

“Te quiero.”181

She leaned in closer, her fingers brushing mine. “Te quiero, to you too.”

“Te quiero mucho,182” I corrected, stretching the words with a playful grin.

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