One of his hands left her waist, and she watched as he reached past her to grab the soap and a sponge. She didn’t turn to see what he was doing. She expected him to give her the soaped sponge. That didn’t happen.

He put the soap back into the dish, then his hand with the sponge glided down her neck, going to the base of her back.

“Trust me, Mabel.”

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him he hadn’t earned her trust. She kept the words locked up inside, not spoiling the moment.

He turned her to face him, and he put her hands on his shoulders. “Hold on to me. Don’t let me go.”

Lucas slid the soap over her highly sensitive skin, and she sank her teeth into her lip, trying to contain her excitement. The sponge brushed across her flesh, and his knuckles followed suit. She lived for those sweet touches he gave her, nothing else.

While she waited for him to take it further, he didn’t. He washed her body, being careful with her.

When it came to her hair, he turned her back toward the wall, putting her hands on the wall as he massaged the soap into her hair.

“I love your hair,” he said. “I’ve imagined tugging it as I drive inside you.”

She whimpered.

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to do anything to you. Even though I’d love nothing more than licking your cunt and making you feel better.”

She couldn’t help but press her thighs together to try to stem the pleasure.

With her hair cleaned, he spun her around. “I know I’ve got work to make you trust me, but I’ve got to kiss you, Mabel. Let me, please.”

She didn’t say anything, staring into his eyes.

Kissing was sweet. There was nothing sexual in it.

“Okay,” he said.

She gripped his arm as he went to leave the bathroom. There was no reason for him to leave.

“Kiss me,” she said. She never expected those two words to be spoken from her lips, especially not directed at Lucas, but she suddenly realized she wanted him to kiss her. They were both soaked. She was naked, he fully clothed.

Lucas’s hands went to her face, stroking down to cup her beneath her chin, and then his lips were on hers.

The instant they touched, she couldn’t help but close her eyes and enjoy the moment. Lust flooded her body.

Mine.

Her wolf was so close to the surface. The need to claim him was strong, but she held herself in check, not giving in to the basic instinct to take him.

With her hands on his shoulders, she opened her mouth, sliding her tongue against his.

One of Lucas’s went to grip the back of her head, deepening the kiss.