Page 21 of Married to Her Yeti
She bit her lip, glancing at his body. “You’ll probably get wet, but standing would be easier.”
Standing might be better for rinsing, but not for hiding her body. Nima didn’t voice his thoughts. He simply nodded, then flipped the tub’s drain stopper. Next, he pulled his T-shirt over his head and adjusted the shower curtain so they didn’t flood the bathroom floor.
He turned on the tap and gauged the water temperature with his fingers. “Can you lean forward to test the water? Or do you trust me?”
Without hesitation, she said, “I trust you.”
Nima paused. She trusted him today. Maybe not ten years ago or even yesterday morning, but she did now. Gods, why hadn’t they worked things out a decade ago? But even as he thought it, Nima refused to surrender to regret. He would make the most of the current moment and his future.
“I’ll support your weight while you push up on your good foot. If you slip, I’ll catch you,” he promised.
Mari nodded, abandoning her shielding pose as Nima wrapped his arm around her. He ignored theswell of her breast under his fingertips. “Speak up if I strain your ribs.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll scream in pain if that happens.” When Nima hesitated, she patted his arm. “I’m only kidding... mostly. I’ll let you know if anything hurts worse than it already does. Let’s do this.”
Nima helped her stand, then turned on the shower spray.
Mari ducked her head under the water, then laughed as she wiped her eyes. “You’re getting wet.” He was. Mist covered his furry chest and face, and water soaked her bathmat.
“Guess I didn’t need that shower earlier today,” he joked.
Mari narrowed her eyebrows, and in good humor, said, “I thought that was yeti hair in my tub.” She closed her eyes, a smile on her lips as she passed under the water again.
He mock-scoffed, “Never. I always clean out the drain.”
With Mari’s eyes closed, his hungry gaze could have easily eaten her up, but he focused on her face, the droplets of water running down her cheeks and her moist, pink lips still tipped up in good humor. Mari’s smile filled him with the samewarmth and joy as a long sunny Alaska summer day.
When she finished rinsing, he tightened his grip on her before turning off the water. “I cleaned out the tub,” he said, “but I recommend you dry off with this towel.” He handed her a clean, fluffy cloth. “Not the one I used. Unless you don’t mind a little fur against your skin.”
He’d meant it as a joke, but Mari nearly dropped the towel before securing one end against her chest as if to cover herself while she dried off.
Then he caught a whiff of her fresh desire. Had she been thinking about his whole furry body against her skin instead? He immediately imagined them naked in her bed.
Nima briefly closed his eyes and took a steadying breath. When his lids slowly opened, he met Mari’s wide-eyed gaze. She’d stopped drying herself.
Honest, open conversations.
“Mari,” he purred, his voice deep and husky with need. “I can smell your arousal, and it makes me want you so badly.”
Her eyes dipped to his hard length straining his pants. She licked her lips. “Friends aren’t supposed to get wet for friends.” Her tone was full of longing but tinged with unease.
Oh, his sweet girl. Nima chuckled, wanting to reassure her. “Sweetheart, some friends do.” He paused, letting his words sink in. “We’re adults.Wedecide what’s right forus.”
When she trembled, he swept her into his arms bride style, then sat on the toilet lid with her in his lap, her bare backside against his pants, her front covered with the towel.
Mari’s lips parted as her hand tentatively slid from his shoulder to his chest. She tracedhistattoo, barely visible through his fur—yet she knew right where to find the infinity loop with her initials. The move sent heat flooding through his body.
“I want to make you feel good tonight, Mari. Will you let me?”
She threaded her fingers through his fur, and he shivered with pleasure. “I want that too, but I’m scared.”
He peered into her brown eyes, soft with vulnerability. “What are you afraid of?”
She licked her lips. “Where do I start? Mostly, I’m afraid of derailing my life again when things are finally going well.”
Nima’s heart clenched. He didn’t want to upset their lives either, but shouldn’t they give this opportunity careful consideration? Despite their past, theirconnection was special. Moments like this were rare in his experience. “You set the boundaries, Mari, but know that I want you—badly.”
“Let’s make a deal,” Mari said. “While you’re here over Christmas and as long as this feels right between us, we can be friends who get...” she paused, grinding her ass into his erection, “aroused for each other.”
