"There is only a matter of time before the Supremes find out that their curse is weakening. When that happens... I do not want to risk your safety."

"Ze," I call his name in a playful tone. "Are you being nice?"

He blinks slowly before he realizes I'm making fun of him. The corners of his mouth curl up, amusement entering his previously stern features.

"I am...nice," he says tentatively. "I am nice," he repeats, this time more confidently.

Suddenly, it strikes me why he's so adamant about being nice. He's never been seen in a positive light by anyone in his life, has he? I struggle to keep the smile on my face as moisture clouds my sight. Maybe it's better that he didn't have emotions before so he couldn't realize just how godawful his life was, but what about now?

A tremor courses through me as images of him, depressed and alone, flash into my mind. He might appear strong and unbothered to everyone else, but I know better.

He can feel pain.

And it fucking breaks my heart.

Stifling a sob, I swipe the wet cloth over his abdominals, and a hiss escapes him.

"Ze?" I ask, worried.

He grinds his teeth.

"Continue." He nods at me.

I wipe the rest of the smudged ice from his skin until I reach close to the band of his pants, at which point I waver. His stomach is taut and riddled with muscled ridges. That coupled with the black ink and the bronzed, healthy glow of his skin and he looks like the cover model of Men's Health magazine. I might be taken, but I'm not blind. He is a handsome man—maybe a bit too handsome for his own good.

I bite my lip as my cheeks redden. This is inappropriate. I doubt he would appreciate being ogled like this.

"I think we're done here," I announce in a chirpy voice, taking a step back.

Ze raises a brow at me, watching me as he lazily leans backward, his muscles rippling with every movement. And to my everlasting shame, my eyes follow those hard lines.

"You can look your fill," he drawls.

I blink rapidly, my face flaming hot as I realize I've been caught gawking at him.

"S-sorry," I mumble, turning to the sink and rinsing the cloth again—and again. God, can the earth open up and swallow me? This is mortifying!

"Do not be sorry. I gather that you find my form pleasing?" he asks with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Erm..." I stammer. "You must be aware you are a handsome man," I add quietly, avoiding looking at him again.

"But do you find me pleasing, human?" he asks, his breath suddenly fanning my ear.

"Oh," I jump up, turning and bumping into him.

He braces his arms on the sink on either side of me, leaning down to look at me.

"I... I guess so." I attempt a smile.