Page 102 of How You See Me
“The place where I found you . . .” His hand finds mine across the middle console. “It was near the showers.”
“Oh. Right.” A wave of nausea rises and falls. How could I forget?
“I didn’t think you’d want to go back there. Even if it’s technically safe now.”
“Thank you for that.”
His thumb strokes the back of my hand, the simplest of comforts.
“I didn’t think you’d want to go to a real spa or salon either."
“Right again.”
"So, I have an idea."
Overwhelmed by the sheer goodness in him, I blink back tears. This man. So many layers. So much heart.
After stopping by three hotels, Hayes finally confesses he’s on the hunt for a room where I can soak my sore muscles in a bath. None of the hotels we visited had a tub.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you.”
He lifts my hand to his lips, gifting me a grin before kissing my knuckles. “Same.”
???
With brows furrowed in determination, Hayes searches his phone for another option. His focus alone sends my system swirling. I’ve never been treated like this. Had someone fight so hard for my comfort. For me.
If this isn’t love, I don’t know what is.
A few miles outside the city’s sprawl, he finally locates a bed and breakfast and charms the manager into lending us a room for a few hours.
I wait on the room's couch, listening to the soothing sound of running water while he moves about. He doesn’t know what he’s doing to me—how every simple kindness unravels me a little more.
And he does it again when his efforts are revealed.
Stepping inside the bathroom, I’m met with a scene right out of a novel. My own steamy romance.
The scent of lavender and chamomile fills the room. Little battery-powered tea lights flicker from every surface. He switches off the main light to let the dreamy glow take over.
“When you said bath,” I whisper, awe catching in my throat. “I didn’t expect bubbles.”
“The owner hooked me up,” he says, like it’s no big deal. Like he didn’t just rearrange the architecture of my heart with his thoughtfulness.
“While you get in, I’ll grab your shampoo.” He backs out to give me privacy.
I undress carefully, peeling off the layers and letting them fall to the floor. The hot, sudsy water wraps around me as I lower into the tub. Nothing, other than Hayes, could feel better on my skin than this right now.
As he heard my thoughts, he appears at the threshold, eyes zeroed in on my discarded clothes. His throat bobs with a swallow before his gaze rises to the tub.
Then to me.
Time slows as his gaze lingers on my face. He seems to be balancing on the edge of a decision. One that could change everything.
“Anything else I can do?”
I nod, desire blooming everywhere the water touches. “You could join me.”
He swallows again, the motion slower and tighter in his throat this time. “I’d do anything for you, Josie. Literally, anything you asked. But are you sure? Once we erase that line . . . there’s no drawing it back in.”
