Page 5

Waterfrom the showerhead above streams down his cheeks, but he can’t hide the redness in his eyes. “Scaredme.”

Istep into the tub next to him, and he moves out of the stream to let the warmth wash over my skin.Iscrub over the bloody parts, grimacing and avoiding looking at the blood swirling over our feet and down the drain.

Thesecond the water runs clear,Ireach for him and clutch him tightly to my naked body.

Hisvery bones tremble under my touch.

“I’mhere,”Imurmur, hardly audible above the shower.I’mnot sure ifI’msaying it for him or for me as my arms tighten around him. “I’mright here.”

“Igot you,”Adriansays softly.

It’sfunny, peeking around the corner of my bathroom and down the hall to make sure a parental unit isn’t awake to witness me usher a nakedAdrianinto my room.

It’sweird that it’sAdrianand notZak.

Adriantouches my arm, bringing me back into my bedroom with him asIstare out the darkened window.

Zaksaid he loves me.

ButasIclimb into bed with his brother who smells of my oatmeal and honey soap and eucalyptus shampoo,Iremember he said it as we left the bridge.

Thethought of him has me reaching out for something, anything to keep me in the here and now.

Adrian’sflesh is soft from our shared shower and firm with muscle.Smallzaps of electricity blip throughout my skin, a delicious feeling of live-wire nerves lighting up in response to the gentle, sensual touch that warms my core.

ItakeAdrian’schin, rough from a well-past five o’ clock shadow, and lead his mouth to mine.

Hiskiss is a shock to my system that awakens every part of me that fell asleep on the bridge.Thetimid pressure leaves me wanting, needing more as white-hot light passes through my body in waves that crash and glimmer in the witching hour sun.

Myhand travels from his neck to his chest, sneaking down beneath pale lavender sheets untilIcup soft and loose flesh.

Hegrabs my hand and replaces it on his chest. “Nottonight, princesa,” he whispers over my lips. “You’vebeen through enough.”

Oh, but my resurrected body demands it.SoIshove my hand down again, greedily searching for tenderness that will remind me how aliveIreally am.

Adriangroans softly in annoyance. “Steph,I’mnot doing this tonight.”

Isqueeze him. “Yes, you are.”

Heclamps down on my wrist. “Isaid no.”

“Comeon.Ifyou’re my personal demon, isn’t this part of your job, anyway?”

“I’mnot your personal demon, smartass.”

Mybrows knit, and the corners of my lips pull downward. “Thenwhat are you?”

“Yourboyfriend.”

Rollingmy eyes,Igrunt and smack his shoulder. “No, you’re not.”

Adrianplaces a hand on either side of my head and draws me close until his mouth is on mine.Thetip of his tongue brushes over my bottom lip, andIlet him in—Ilet him deepen the gentle frustration building between us in this bed, hoping it’ll push him over the edge to give in to me.

Buthe ends the kiss just as suddenly, caressing my face and gazing at me likeI’mthe only thing in his universe. “Whenwill you let me love you?” he whispers.

Mybreath hitches.Wordsjumble in my brain and get caught in my throat as we search each other’s eyes.

Thunderrumbles in the distance.Raineases on the metal roof above.