“Ash, this is not okay!”
“I mean, it’s not fun, but—”
“Ash Lyconis! You listen to me right now! You don’t ever get yourself in a position to get hurt like this again for me, is that clear?”
Ash blinked. “Were you worried about me?”
“I’ve been out of my goddamn mind worried about you, you crazy loon.”
He kept watching me until a wide smile spread across his face. “You really do like me, huh?”
“Of course I like you, you fool,” I muttered, my face going red.
“A lot?” he asked, a little unsure.
I rolled my eyes at him. “Yes, a lot—are you happy now—”
He lunged forward as if to kiss me, but I stopped him. “Wait!”
He paused, his face falling.
I could feel my power churning after my dream. I took a breath. “I’m not stable right now. Just give me a minute.” I tried to ground myself.
“How about this then?”
Ash tugged the towel from his waist and dragged it between us, like he was making it up as he went. Then he leaned in and kissed me through it.
I could feel it warming me to my toes.
I pulled my hands into my sleeves and wrapped my arms around him.
It took me only a few seconds to realise he was now completely naked.
When I felt him brush against me, I froze, mortified.
“Um, I’m sorry—” I mumbled, pulling back. He didn’t let go.
“Do you like what I look like?” he asked quietly.
I looked into his eyes. For the first time, he looked a little nervous.
He swallowed, waiting for my reaction.
I glanced at his body—strong, muscular.
And below.
He was hard. Oh my god.
I caught my breath. I had never seen a man naked before.
I blinked rapidly. “Um. Yes. Um.” I lifted my hands to cover my eyes. “Very much yes.”
It was overwhelming.
He pulled my hand gently from my face. “You can look at me,” he said quietly.
I didn’t want to.
