“Romeo—”
“Right. Yeah.” He blinks. “Champagne. I forgot the champagne.”
“We don’t need?—”
“I promised you champagne. I’m getting the champagne.” He’s already backing toward the door, eyes still on me as he nearly collides with the doorframe. “Don’t move. Stay exactly like that.”
The second he’s gone, I’m taking off my bra and underwear.The water is so high now, bubbles threatening to spill over. I grab a hair tie and sweep my hair up into a messy bun then turn off the taps and get in quickly, sinking down until the bubbles come up to my chin.
Rodriguez comes back carrying the bottle and two water glasses. He stops in the doorway.
His eyes sweep over the tub. The bubbles completely covering me. The pile of lace on the floor.
“JuJu...”
“Sorry!” The word comes out too loud. “I’m nervous!”
He’s quiet for a moment then sticks his bottom lip out in a small pout. “I wanted to unwrap you like a present.”
But he’s already moving. He sets the glasses and champagne on the edge of the tub, then starts unbuttoning his shirt, whips off his belt and everything else follows.
He’s completely unselfconscious about stripping in front of me while I’m trying to remember how to breathe.
“JuJu, is the water super hot?” He’s stepping into the tub with his cocky little half smile. “Because your face is bright red.”
I mumble something incoherent and look away. Or try to.
“Hey, no, I’m not complaining.” He settles into the water across from me, grinning. “Stare all you want.”
“I’m not trying to stare, it’s just—” I gesture vaguely at him. “It’s kind of right at eye level.”
His grin gets impossibly wider. “Yeah? And what do you think?”
“I think you know exactly how you look.”
“Yeah, but I wouldn’t mind you stroking my ego.”
“That’s obviously not the only thing you want me to stroke.”
He throws his head back and laughs.
“Oh my god, I can’t believe I said that out loud.” If I could sink under the bubbles I absolutely would.
“Please say more things like that. Immediately.” He’s reaching for the champagne, still grinning. “For what it’s worth, you’re handling this way better than I am.”
“You seem pretty handled to me.”
“JuJu, I’m sitting here naked in a bathtub with you and trying really hard not to pull you over here immediately.”
Oh.
The champagne pops and fizzes over his hands, and he laughs, trying to pour into the glasses without spilling everywhere.
“Very suave,” I tease.
“I’m in a bathtub with you. I’ve already won.” He pours two glasses, champagne mixing with the bubble bath, and raises his. “To your sister for having perfect timing with that wedding lineup change.”
“That’s what we’re toasting?”
