“I wouldn’t expect you to. I trust you,” I said to him.
His gaze locked on mine, and I felt my breath hitch.
“Go take a shower,” he insisted. He walked over to his dresser and pulled out a large grey sweatshirt and a pair of flannel pajama pants. “These will help you warm up. You’re shivering, for goodness’ sake.”
He wasn’t wrong. I was freezing cold.
“Thanks,” I said to him. I took the clothes. He passed me a large white bath towel that was fluffy, and I went into the bathroom. His cabin was larger than the others, but that madesense with him being the boss. The bathroom was big with an actual tub and a shower. It had been a long while since I had taken a bath, but I wasn’t going to sit in there and relax. That would be weird, even though I was wound up from that interaction with Nico. He didn’t give off murderous vibes. He looked hurt to hear what had happened to Sophie’s mom, Celine.
I took off my clothes and turned on the hot water. The steam filled the bathroom. I got under the shower spray and my entire body shivered at first, until the hot water thawed me out. I used Asher’s shampoo to wash my hair. His body wash smelled of fresh cedar and as I washed my body it felt like Asher was everywhere. I pictured what he’d look like in the shower, with his medium-brown hair wet and those dark eyes closed as hot water rushed over his sun-kissed skin, over his sculpted muscles and those sexy tattoos that ran down his arms. I felt my nipples pucker against the stream. Desire tightened low in my body. I just needed to take a deep breath. I inhaled slowly and tried to calm down. I could admit to myself how attracted I was to Asher. I knew he didn’t get involved with his employees, but something happened between us the other night. There was a spark, no, it was already a fire. A fire he fought hard to put out. It took everything in me to walk away from him. The fact that I told him I had no experience was insane. I’d never admitted that to a man before. I’d kissed my share of frogs, but nothing ever went further because the kiss taught me there was no attraction there. Asher was different. There was something charged about him, but he was also protective and sexy. My mind drifted to the fight, and my breathing turned ragged. I needed to come undone, but that couldn’t happen with him in the next room. What if he heard me? After I washed up, I got out of the shower and wrapped myself in a towel. Then I did the boldest thing I’d ever done…
CHAPTER 14
Asher
I heard the bathroom door open. I told myself not to look, even though I knew she would be coming out in the clothes I gave her to wear. I spent the whole time she was in the shower pacing. She was in my cabin, sobbing, wet, and devastatingly beautiful. I had self-restraint, willpower, I was strong-willed but seeing Claire tonight was wearing down every bit of it. The way she went to meet Nico was so courageous and loyal. She wanted to bring her friend justice, and it seemed like she would do it at any cost. It was admirable, but none of that held a candle to the way she watched me, the way she looked at me like I fascinated her, like she was attracted to me. I had a feeling that didn’t happen to her often. She didn’t seem like someone who chased men, and her beauty… it stole my breath.
She stepped out of the bathroom. I turned around. She wasn’t in clothes; she had the towel still wrapped around her. And then she let the towel fall. It hit the floor softly. My mind went blank for a full second.
“Claire,” I said, my voice rougher than I meant it to be. “What are you doing?”
She didn’t flinch. Didn’t cover herself or shrink.
“I want you,” she said, just like that.
I dragged a hand down my face and looked away, staring at the far wall like it might help. “That’s a bad idea.”
“Why?” she asked.
“Because I’m not…” I exhaled. “You’ve got the wrong idea about me.”
She took a step closer. “You’re a good man.”
“You don’t know that,” I said, trying hard not to look at her. She was perfect. Hell, I was screwed.
“I do,” she confirmed.
I let out a quiet, humorless laugh. “I’m not the kind of guy you should trust.”
Her brows pulled together. “What does that even mean?”
“I don’t do relationships,” I said. “I don’t make promises. I have nothing to offer you.”
She was quiet for a second.
Then, softly, “I didn’t ask for that.”
I looked at her again. “You can’t possibly believe that. Not after what you told me the other night… unless it isn’t true.”
“Oh, it’s true. I’ve never been with a man, and I have no expectations past tonight,” she said. “I just want you.”
That landed harder than anything because I wanted her too. More than I’d wanted anyone ever, and that was saying something. I stepped closer without meaning to.
“You don’t even know what you’re asking for,” I said, my gaze on her bare shoulder. I hissed. “Why me? Why now?”
“I’ve never felt this attracted to someone before. I’ve never actually wanted… this.”
Her voice didn’t shake but her resolve made my chest tighten.