Page 139 of Here With Me

“Absolutely not.” She shakes her head.

Fuck, she’s so damn hardheaded. “Takin’ care of you and keepin’ you safe are my top priorities, Goldie. I know ya don’t like it but too goddamn bad. Your parents are countin’ on me, and I’m not about to let them down a second time.”

She inhales sharply like she wants to argue but rolls her eyes instead. “Fine. But ya sneak one little peek below the neck, and I won’t think twice about kneein’ you.”

I smirk because she’s lost her mind if she thinks I can thoroughly wash her without looking. “Deal.”

We go into the bathroom, and I offer to help her undress, but she swats my hand away and tells me to turn around. I comply, but I’m only a few inches away just in case. She winces, and I feel a sharp pain in my chest.

“Are you ready? Can I turn around?”

“Yeah.”

I do my best to keep my eyes toward the ceiling while I take her hand and help her step inside the shower.

“Keep that foot up. Get into the middle and hold on to the rail.”

I don’t want her hopping around with water on the floor, so once she’s settled, I turn the knob.

She jumps. “Shit, that’s cold.”

“Sorry, it’s turned all the way to hot. Should warm up in a minute.”

Stepping back onto the mat, I remove my shirt, then unbutton my jeans.

“What’re ya doin’?” She holds out her palm to block her view.

“You expect me to get in there with my clothes on?”

She flickers her gaze to mine before shifting away. “I hadn’t thought about that, obviously.”

“Well, if I can keep my eyes above the neck, then so can you.” I smirk, knowing she’ll be tempted.

“Fine. But hurry up and close the door because I’m freezin’.”

As soon as I’m naked, I meet her inside. We stare at each other, and I wonder if she’s remembering the last time we were in here together.

A moment that’ll be embedded into my memory for the rest of my life.

I wrap a hand around her good side and stabilize her. “Tilt your head back and get your hair wet.”

My eyes lower to her pierced nipples as she brushes her fingers through her scalp. When she straightens, I snap my head back up. “What do ya want me to do first?”

“Um...you can start with the shampoo. It’s the white bottle.”

Turning around, I squeeze some into my palm, and when I return, I find her gaze was on my ass.

I arch a brow, rubbing my palms together. “You forget the rules already?”

“No. I had somethin’ in my eye.” She blinks a few times, and I stifle a laugh.

I massage my fingers into her scalp, and she tilts her head back with a moan. The water hits her just right, and I help rinse it out.

“Conditioner?” I ask.

“Black bottle.”

I repeat the process, but this time, I take extra care slathering it into her ends before rinsing it out.