Steamy

~Joan~
“Wanna take a shower with me?” I asked Aaron once we got home. He pressed his lips together.
“I’ll pass. I’m gonna check on the other rooms-I thought I heard something,” he said before walking away.
Disappointment stirred in my chest. He heard nothing. I knew that. So why was he avoiding being close to me? I understood it hadn’t even been a week since I was discharged, but as long as I took my medications, I’d be fine in no time.
I headed to the bedroom, undressing before stepping into the shower. Warm water streamed down my body, washing away the tension but not the thoughts crowding my mind. We’d had fun on the drive home-Aaron even sang with me. But the closer we got, the quieter he became.
Was it me? Had something changed? Did he no longer find me attractive? That didn’t seem right. When we kissed, I saw the raw hunger in his eyes. Then what was wrong?
A thought struck me, tightening my chest.
Had he been with someone else while we were apart?
The idea was ridiculous, but it wouldn’t leave. Even as I turned off the shower, wrapped a towel around me, and stepped out of the bathroom, the question clung to me.
“Oh, you’re done,” Aaron’s voice drifted toward me. I glanced at him but said nothing. He was shirtless, and under normal circumstances, I would’ve taken a moment to admire him. But right now, I couldn’t bring myself to care. I walked past him to the closet, digging through for an undie.
“Joan?” His voice was softer now, careful. “Are you okay?”
I hummed in response, even though my chest tightened.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said, not looking at him.
He didn’t believe me. I could tell by the sound of his footsteps drawing closer.
Straightening up, I turned to face him. “Shouldn’t you leave? I want to get dressed.”
He raised an eyebrow. “What are you…” He trailed off, his expression shifting. “Wait-are you mad because I didn’t shower with you?”
It sounded ridiculous when he said it out loud. I shrugged.
“It doesn’t matter. You should go. You seem to be good at leaving these days.”
His head tilted, watching me closely. “Okay… you’re pissed,” he said, like he’d just solved a mystery.
I shot him a glare.
He closed the space between us, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face. His fingers lingered.
“I’m sorry I left. I really did hear a noise,” he said, slight amusement flickering in his eyes.
I smacked his hand away. “That’s not what I meant.” Looking away, I hesitated before scrunching my nose. “Did you… maybe… sleep with someone else while we were apart? If you did, I won’t freak out. I just-”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” His voice dropped, harder now.
My gaze snapped back to his. I pressed my lips together.
“I’m just curious, okay? You keep avoiding anything that leads to intimacy,” I said, my voice quieter now.
His expression darkened.
“You just got out of the hospital, Joan. And before your accident, we weren’t exactly on great terms. Did you really think I’d be all over you the second we got home?”
I swallowed. Okay. That made sense. Had I been the desperate one all along?
“I didn’t touch anyone else, Joan. I didn’t even think about it. How could you?”
Heat crept up my neck, and I clutched the towel tighter. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.
Silence settled between us for a few beats.
“Let’s take a shower. Together, If you want,” Aaron said.
I dropped my gaze, staring at my bare feet. Embarrassment curled around me. I should have just let it go. My mouth always put me in awkward situations.
“No. I’m fine,” I mumbled. Besides, I’d just taken one.
He stepped forward, and I instinctively backed up-until my back met the closet. One of his arms came up, resting against the wall beside my head. His other hand tilted my chin up.
I squeezed my eyes shut, mortified. I could feel his gaze on me.
“Are you going shy on me now, kitten?” His voice was low, teasing.
I gritted my teeth. “I’m embarrassed, okay? Just… don’t look at me right now.”
A small chuckle. Then the softest brush of lips at the corner of my mouth.
“Why are you embarrassed?” he murmured.
I pried my eyes open. “Because I feel like I’m the only desperate one here and it doesn’t-”
The rest of my words were lost as his lips met mine. Slow, soft. My heart stumbled over itself.
He pulled back slightly, his eyes locking onto mine.
“Does it look like you’re the only desperate one?” he asked and the air thickened.
I licked my lips, and his gaze dropped to them instantly. A second pass and then, we moved at the same time-me wrapping my arms around his neck, him lifting me effortlessly. My legs curled around his torso.
Our lips crashed again, the kiss deeper this time. His hands gripped me firmly as he carried me to the bed. My fingers slid into his hair, tugging lightly. He groaned against my mouth, pulling my lower lip between his teeth.
He lowered me onto the bed with an unfamiliar gentleness. In the past, he would’ve tossed me down, impatient and rough. I hadn’t minded then, and I didn’t mind this now.
The realization that I was practically naked under the towel made my skin burn. The weight of his body against mine only heightened the sensation. A soft moan slipped past my lips as his mouth found the curve of my neck, sucking lightly at that sensitive spot.
His lips trailed lower, skimming my collarbone. I shivered.
“This is ticklish?” he murmured, amusement flickering in his eyes.
I shook my head, tugging at his hair.
“We’re going to go slow, okay?” he whispered, his tone softer now.
I licked my lips, giving a small nod.
Slowly, he loosened the towel, letting it fall away, his gaze drinking me in. A sharp breath left him.
His hands slid over my skin, fingers exploring like he was memorizing me all over again.
It felt like Paris. Only this time, I knew he loved me and it felt like bliss.
I sucked in a breath as his lips closed around my nipple.
Tonight was going to be slow. Intense. Steamy
A long night.
And I was ready for it. Every inch of me was ready.