Page 79 of Celestial Combat

I had seen it.

I had felt it.

And I wanted it.All of it.

I rolled my shoulders, shaking off the thought. Wanting wasn’t an option. This wasn’t an option.

Another breath, steady and slow.

Then I turned, cigarette still in hand, and waited for the sound of the bathroom door opening, knowing I’d have to look her in the eyes again and pretend like I hadn’t already lost this battle.

I barely heard my own breath over the quiet hum of the city outside. The skyline stretched in front of me, lights flickering like distant stars, but I wasn’t seeing any of it. My mind was still back there – back in that bathroom, in the weight of that moment, in the impossible heat of her skin under my hands.

I exhaled sharply, leaning forward, elbows on my knees. The loft was silent except for the distant wail ofsirens somewhere in Brooklyn, a faint reminder of the chaos we had left behind. But the chaos hadn’t left me. It was still here, tangled inside me, winding tighter every second.

“Zane?”

Her voice pulled me from the storm in my head.

I stood immediately, turning toward the doorway.

Kali stood there, framed by the soft glow spilling from the bathroom. A white towel was wrapped around her body, water dripping from her dark curls onto her bare shoulders. She was flushed from the heat of the bath, brown skin glowing, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.

I froze, my body locked in place as my mind scrambled to catch up.

She was beautiful. Not just in the way that made me lose my breath, but in the way that made it impossible to look away.

Strong. Fierce. Untouchable.

And standing in my doorway, looking at me like she was daring me to act on my thoughts.

I cleared my throat, forcing my muscles to move as I placed the folded clothes on the bed. One of my white T-shirts and a pair of white boxers – fresh from a new pack to remain respectful, despite all the less respectful thoughts in my mind – both probably three times too large for her.

She stepped closer, her movements unhurried. Bare feet against the hardwood. Water trailing down her smooth, soft arms.

I swallowed.

Kali stopped just in front of me, close enough that I caught the faintest scent of her skin – clean, warm, something sweet beneath it that made my pulse pick up.

“You could’ve just left them on the bed,” She murmured.

I should’ve.

Instead, I held my ground. “I need to check you for injuries.”

She tilted her head, considering me for a moment, then let out a quiet hum of understanding.

Then, without hesitation, she loosened the grip on her towel.

I turned around so fast, I nearly stumbled.

I felt my cheekbones burn. Cleared my throat again. “After you are dressed.”

My back was to her, eyes locked on the window, but I still felt her. Still heard the soft rustle of fabric. Still sensed every shift of her movements.

And then, I saw the reflection in the glass.

The faint, ghostly outline of her reaching for the shirt, pulling it over her head. The slow bend as she stepped into the boxers.