For a moment, my anger subsides as it occurs to me that she could be hurt. Fred’s shot nailed her in the head pretty hard. Maybe she felt dizzy in the shower and collapsed. Or lost consciousness in the bathtub. I knock on the bathroom door and yell her name. No answer.

“Chloe!” I try again.

Panic grips my chest. I try the handle. It’s unlocked, so I throw the door open.

My eyes immediately find her. She’s lying in the tub, eyes closed. I scan her body head to toe to determine if she’s hurt. My observations tell me she’s okay. I know she’s conscious because her head is tilted back, and she’s got her bottom lip pinned between her teeth. And her hand is moving between her legs. I can see it clear as day. With the exception of a few ripples her movement is making, the water is like glass.

The sound registers. It’s Chloe’s soft moan while her hand vigorously rubs her clit. Oh, fuck.

I should leave. Turn around and close the door. But my legs aren’t functioning. My eyes are in control of my body and they are taking in everything. The way Chloe’s hard, pink nipples break the surface of the water. Her wet hair floating over her shoulders, her neck exposed as she arches up toward the ceiling, her forehead wrinkling in focused concentration bordering on pleasure. The red polish on the toes that are curling around the edge of the tub. Fuck. There’s no way I’ll be able to get this image out of my brain. I’ll play it over and over again until I can close my eyes and sketch it in detail.

My conscience wakes up at the same time Chloe’s eyes fly open. We stare at each other.

“Barrett! What are you doing?!” she screams, water splashing everywhere as she flails about. She pulls an earbud from her ear, then scrambles to sit and hug her legs to her chest, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “Don’t you knock?”

“Yes. Multiple times. You didn’t answer and I was worried you were hurt.” I clear my parched throat. “I thought with your head you got dizzy or something.”

“Oh.” Her voice is small. “Sorry. I lost track of time. I was listening to music.”

Among other things.

Now that I know she’s okay, my irritation is back.

“You’re late for dinner.”

“Okay. I’m coming.” I didn’t think it was possible for Chloe’s blush to get any deeper, but the realization of her words turns her skin crimson. “I mean, I’ll be there. Soon.”

My legs finally get the signal to move, so I leave, pulling the door shut behind me.