Torran wasn’t wearing a shirt and I could see the tops of his broad shoulders. The water obscured the rest of him. Was he wearing anything at all? I paused, torn. Getting into the pool with him was such a bad idea, but my arms ached. The heated water would do them good, and a shower just wasn’t the same.

“Join me,” he invited, his voice neutral.

Still, I hesitated. “You don’t mind?”

He gestured around. “The pool is big enough for both of us.”

I wasn’t sure that statement was true, not with how flushed I felt from looking at his shoulders, but I eased into the water with a hiss. It was delightfully hot, just shy of scalding. I wouldn’t be able to stay long, but already I felt better. I tipped my head back against the edge and closed my eyes.

I dug my fingers into my left triceps, working on the knots. What I wouldn’t give for a massage right now . . .

“Would you like some assistance?” Torran asked.

I opened my eyes, but he hadn’t moved from his spot on the other side of the pool. “Are you reading my mind?”

“No.” The corner of his mouth tipped up. “Were you thinking about my hands on you?”

Heat that had nothing to do with the water temperature burned through me. I hadn’t been, but now I was. “I was wishing for a massage, if you must know. I overdid it a bit this morning.”

This morning that felt like a hundred years ago.

“Come here and I will massage your arms for you.”

Temptation, thy name was Torran Fletcher. I cleared my throat. “It’s probably safer if I stay over here.”

Torran frowned. “You think I’m a danger to you?”

“No,” I said, drawing the word out. “Not like you’re thinking.”

His frown melted into a heated smile. “Then let me help you. I would do it from here,” he said as his power gently clamped around my biceps, “but I need to reserve my strength for the attack.” His tone turned gentle and coaxing. “And you need to be in top form, too. Let me help you. Please.”

Despite the tumult of the past two days, I trusted him. He’d been looking out for me, in his own way, even when I thought he’d betrayed me. I crossed the distance separating us, until I was within arm’s reach.

I held out my right arm. “Okay.”

His long fingers circled my wrist and drew me closer. “Shh,” he murmured when I stiffened. “I’m just making you more comfortable. I remember and respect the boundaries you’ve set.”

Not while we’re bound by a life debt.