Strip for me, beautiful.

The memory of that command twisted my core as I stepped back under the central spray, rinsing the conditioner from my hair. Of course, I was already bare, so stripping wasn’t an issue. Instead, I rinsed, knowing his eyes were on me, watching, as I ran my own palms over my skin. It was his touch I felt on my breasts and his touch as my hands lowered.

Once the water was off, Van returned, towel in hand.

“How far away are they?” I asked as I took the towel.

“You have time to dry and dress.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want to see them.”

His large hands framed my face. “Julia, it may not seem like it... There’s a lot I don’t know about you and your parents, but I’m willing to learn. What I do know is that you are in control.”

“It’s never felt that way.”

“I can’t answer why you have felt the way you have.”

He turned us until we were standing before the large mirror. Despite my wet hair, I leaned back against his solid chest. The droplets from my hair dripped down my shoulders onto his thermal shirt, his boots, and the floor. The plush towel was wrapped around my breasts and hung to my thighs. Taller and wider, Van could be seen behind me, still dressed as he’d been in the cabin. The scent of the burning fire lingered in the fibers of his clothes. His jaw was covered with a day of beard growth, and his dark hair was wavy and unkempt from his sleep and his orange hat.

“Do you know what I see?” Van asked.

“A drowned rat.”

His deep laugh filled the bathroom. “No. I see a strong woman.”

“That’s not what my parents see. They see their child. That’s what they’ll always see.”

He lifted my wet hair and brought his lips to my neck. Such as lightning striking the surface of the earth, the energy of his kiss penetrated my skin, infiltrating my circulation, and racing through my nervous system. Closing my eyes, I tilted my head, giving Van more access.

“The only person who can change your parents’ perception of you is you.”

I spun and wrapped my arms around his torso. “I’m afraid they’ll break our snow globe.”

Van shook his head. “Our globe is unbreakable.”

The definitiveness of his statement gave me strength. “I’m an adult.”

“You definitely are.”

I nodded. “Let me get dressed. I’ll come down as fast as I can.”