“You could’ve told me.”

“And what? Made you feel guilty that you didn’t feel the same way and were in love with someone else? Sure, that would’ve been fun for all,” he said drolly. “Our friendship would’ve been done. The awkwardness alone would’ve killed it. And even if it didn’t, Graham wouldn’t have wanted me around you anymore. He would’ve made you choose between your friendship with me and a relationship with him.”

She frowned. “You don’t know how he would’ve felt.”

Ash’s expression flattened. “No, I really do.”

She didn’t understand the certainty he had about that, but she wasn’t going to argue about it any further. The past was the past. That was what they’d agreed to. Steam started to fill the room. She stepped closer to Ash. “I didn’t think about you that way back then.”

He unfolded his arms. “Not news.”

She reached for the hem of his shirt. “But I can’t say the same now.”

He arched a brow as she tugged his shirt over his head. “No?”

“Grown-up Kincaid has a newfound appreciation for that boy she used to have sleepovers with.” She traced over the compass-rose tattoo on the front of his left shoulder and then pressed her lips to it, loving the salty taste of his skin. “She thinks he’s pretty irresistible and would never be able to sleep in a bed next to him now and not get herself in a whole lot of trouble. She’d want to touch and taste all the things.”

“That can be arranged.” He gave her a look of male promise, that look that said he wanted to completely unravel her and knew which string to pull first. He slipped off his glasses, setting them on the edge of the sink, and moved into her space, forcing her to back up. “Get in the shower, KC. Enough talking.”

She kicked off her shoes and walked backward until she could feel the steam rolling over her. He pulled off her shirt, tossing it aside, and then made quick work of her jeans and socks, leaving her standing there in her black lace. She reached for the hook of her bra, but he put a hand on her arm, stopping her.

“Leave it on.” He grabbed her waist before pulling her against him. His hand drifted down to her ass, squeezing her flesh. “You look like candy. I want to unwrap you slowly.”

A shiver went through her at the feel of his denim-clad erection pressing against her belly. “Can you even see me without your glasses? I’m a mess.”

He chuckled, the sound dark and sensual. “I can’t see distance. So that just means I’ll need to stay very, very close. Skin to skin, in fact.”

“The hardship.”

He smacked her butt with a little pop of his hand. “Get in the shower, KC.”

She stepped back under the spray, the water pouring over her sweat-sticky skin, and watched as Ash kept his eyes on her and unbuttoned his jeans. He pushed his pants and boxers down and off, and then gripped his impressive erection in his hand, giving himself a slow stroke. Her tongue pressed to the back of her teeth. Have mercy. For a quiet guy, Ash was anything but shy in the bedroom. That confidence was even sexier than the body that housed it, and that was saying something.