Page 51 of Make Me Yours

I clear my throat, already backing away until my shoulder blades press against the cool glass of the shower door. The contact startles me. It’s too cold compared to the heat gathered inside me.

“We should finish up,” I blurt. “You need to rest.”

For a second, he doesn’t respond. He just stares at me like he’s trying to read the thoughts circling through my head.

Then his gaze drops for a fraction of a second, and I know he sees everything. The way my soaked bra clings to me. The curve of my hips beneath drenched lace. The fact that I’m barely keeping it together.

He exhales slowly, nostrils flaring, like he’s trying to cool the fire between us. “Yeah. That’s probably a good idea.”

Even as he turns slightly, giving me space, I can still feel the heat of his body.

I can still feelhim.

Instead of waiting, I step out of the shower and snatch the nearest towel from the rack, wrapping it tightly around myself.

I need the space.

The cool air.

The way I feel right now isn’t how I should be feeling about Steele.

I clutch the towel tighter, like it can shield me from the chaos unraveling inside me. My hands tremble as I grab another towel.

Steele steps out of the steam a second later, water drippingfrom every inch of his perfectly sculpted frame. His hair is wet and messy, his skin flushed from the heat. My gaze flicks upward, only to find him already watching me.

His gray eyes are locked on mine, intense and unreadable. There’s something dark in them that crackles between us like static.

Neither of us says a word as the air remains thick.

Almost suffocating.

“Turn around,” I whisper, trying and failing to steady my voice.

His eyes spark before he obeys, rotating so his back is to me. The second his gaze disappears, I try to pull myself together.

One second.

Two.

Get it together, Lilah.

I step closer and press the towel to his shoulders.

His muscles jump beneath my touch.

With deliberate movements, I blot away the water clinging to his skin. Everything about Steele is hard and defined. It doesn’t take long for me to get lost in the flesh beneath my fingertips. The anxiety filling me gradually ebbs, and I forget about everything except the moment unfolding between us.

Steele remains motionless as the towel glides over his skin. Silence lingers between us as I move from one shoulder blade to the other, sliding along his bulging biceps, and muscular forearms before sweeping across the broad expanse of his back. Every defined muscle and sculpted line are evidence of his unwavering discipline. I’ve never known anyone who takes better care of their body than Steele.

Need flares to life in my core. It’s a steady, thumping beat I can’t help but be aware of.

I’ve seen him shirtless more times than I can count, but this feels different. Like I’m touching him for the first time.

No, not just touching him.

Reallyfeelinghim.

My hand falters as I trail the towel down the broad plane of his back. My gaze catches on a droplet of water that slides down his spine. Despite the temptation to lean forward and lick it away, I force myself to stay in control. Steele shifts beneath my touch, as if he can sense every heated impulse racing through my mind. I squeeze my eyes shut and push it away.