I listen to his steps echo down the hallway. They fade, stop, then start to return, growing louder until he appears back in the doorway. Gloriously naked. I watch as he rolls the condom on. Spread my legs as he approaches. Hiss as he finally gives me what I want.

It doesn’t hurt when he slides inside me this time, but the stretch still feels strange.

“Fuck,” Gray growls. “Fuck.” He repeats the throaty sound. His features tighten as he stops moving, fully sheathed inside me. “You good?” He raises a hand and brushes a drop of water off my cheek.

“Yeah.” I nod. “Move.”

He smirks. “No please? You’re normally so polite.”

“If you make me come, I’ll say thank you.”

I feel his chest rumble with amusement as he withdraws, then thrusts back inside of me. After a few strokes, I gain some confidence. I start meeting his movements, falling into a rhythm. It surprises me—how quickly the pleasure appears and how fast it spreads.

Gray notices. He starts filling me faster as his hand slips between our bodies and starts caressing my clit. His mouth lands on my neck, sucking at the sensitive skin. And just like that, I’m over the cliff, free-falling into ecstasy as the pleasure bursts. He keeps pumping, prolonging my orgasm and chasing his own. I feel him jerk inside me when he does.

We’re both breathing heavily. My limbs feel like jelly.

Gray pulls away. I don’t move as he stands and walks into the bathroom. I tell myself I won’t care what happens next. It doesn’t matter if he leaves right away.

He reappears seconds later. I watch him deliberate for a moment before he lies back down beside me. I’m not sure what to do now. I was already tired from a long workweek. After the swimming and sex, I could fall asleep, standing up.

I roll, wiggle, and shift until I’m lying horizontal on the bed with my head on the pillow. I pull the sheets over myself. I’ve never slept naked before, but it feels nice—the soft cotton against my bare skin.

Gray hesitates again, but then the covers move. His leg brushes mine as he slides under them beside me. Before I can think it through, I muster my last ounce of energy and flip over, so I’m facing him. Touching him. I doubt he’s expecting to snuggle, but he doesn’t flinch or move away.

“Thank you,” I mutter.

I fall asleep to the sound of his laughter.

CHAPTER SIX