He took the soap in his hand, lathering up and running the suds over my skin from face to toes, then he poured shampoo in his hands and massaged it into my hair, pausing for tiny kisses on my cheek, the corner of my mouth, and neck. Something about the water amplified the sensation of his touch, and I felt nearly on the edge each time his lips or hands made contact with mine.

Once the soap was washed away, the murky remnants of the Arlington mud and the fire swirled around the drain and disappeared forever. Zeke used his thumb to gently lift my chin so that my gaze would meet his.

“You okay?” Zeke asked. He looked down at me, water dripping from his hair and nose.

I nodded, wrapping my hands around his neck, then lifting my leg slowly until my knee was hooked at his hip. I brought my leg closer, pulling Zeke closer too. He kissed me while he positioned himself, sliding in with little resistance, slick with how much I wanted him. I leaned my head back, letting the water pelt my face. Zeke was gentle, showing incredible restraint because as deep as his fingers dug into my skin, I knew he was fighting against his own needs to be purposefully tender. His lips left mine, making a line down my neck, and I sighed.

We stayed in the shower until our fingers were pruny, until we’d both climaxed at least twice, and until we were fighting to keep our eyes open. In a queen-sized bed, I was on my stomach in nothing but one of his over-sized navy blue Alpine Hotshots T-shirts, Zeke watching me from just inches away, both our cheeks against our pillows.

His eyes opened and closed slower each time as he struggled to keep eye contact.

“Sleep,” I whispered.

“I’m afraid if I do, I’ll wake up and realize this wasn’t real.”

“It’s real,” I said.

He closed his eyes, took my hand, kissed my knuckles and then relaxed, his breathing evening out within seconds.

chapter twenty-two

breaking up the band

Zeke

“W

ipe that grin off your face, Zeke, and get to work!” Chief yelled.

I couldn’t. I’d been smiling for days, and it wasn’t going away anytime soon. We just had one more night on this tour, and I was getting on everyone’s nerves. I didn’t even care.

“What’s up with you?” Jubal asked. He smiled. I smiled. That gave it away. “Zeke, are you in love?”

“He got laid,” Taylor said.

I punched his arm. “I haven’t told you shit, Maddox.”

“You don’t have to,” Taylor said, chuckling while he worked. “You’ve got the look.”

“The five-year dry spell is over?” Watts asked.

“It hasn’t been five years, shut up.”

“All of you shut up and get to work!” Chief yelled again.