Steam curled into the air, clinging to the bathroom mirrors and walls as the water flowed steadily from the rainfall showerhead. The sound of running water echoed softly, filling the space with an oddly calming rhythm. Hardin leaned against the tiled wall, arms crossed, a faint smirk playing on his lips.
Tessa was perched on the edge of the sink, her cheeks flushed—whether from the heat or the palpable tension, she couldn’t be sure. They had argued earlier, their voices sharp and raw, but the energy between them had shifted in the way it always did: volatile, magnetic, and impossible to ignore.
“You coming in, or are you just going to sit there all night?” Hardin’s voice was low, teasing, his British accent adding a lilt that made Tessa’s stomach twist. He stepped closer, droplets of water clinging to his chest and arms, tracing over the ink that covered his skin. His dark hair was already damp, unruly strands sticking to his forehead.
“I wasn’t planning to share,” she replied, raising an eyebrow, trying to sound more defiant than she felt. But the way his eyes locked on hers, filled with that signature mix of arrogance and vulnerability, left her feeling exposed in ways she didn’t want to admit.
Hardin chuckled, a sound that was equal parts maddening and endearing. “You’re terrible at lying, you know.”
Tessa rolled her eyes but slid off the counter. She reached for the hem of her shirt, hesitating for the briefest of moments before pulling it over her head. Hardin’s gaze softened as he watched her, the playful smirk fading into something more tender, more real.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she murmured, her voice quieter now. The intensity of his gaze always left her feeling like he could see straight through her, into the parts of her she tried to keep hidden.
“Like what?” he asked, his tone genuinely curious, though a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Like I’m…” She trailed off, searching for the right words but finding none.
“Like you’re everything?” he finished for her. The sincerity in his voice took her by surprise, making her heart stutter in her chest. He stepped closer, closing the distance between them, and gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Tessa swallowed hard, her resolve crumbling. She hated how easily he could get to her, how much power he seemed to have over her emotions. And yet, in moments like this, she couldn’t bring herself to push him away.
The hot water enveloped them as they stepped into the shower, the sensation both soothing and overwhelming. Hardin reached for the soap, his fingers brushing against hers as he did. For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable—it was heavy with unspoken words, unacknowledged feelings, and the undeniable pull between them.
Hardin’s hands lingered at her shoulders, his touch tentative yet confident. Tessa met his gaze, searching for something she couldn’t quite name.
In the warmth of the water and the quiet intimacy of the moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. Whatever battles they faced, whatever storms awaited them, they would face them together—if only for now.
