Page 103 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“Then you can take a bath. That should be enough to get the demon sludge off you. Please? I don’t want to share a bed with you like this.”

Perhaps I should be embarrassed about inviting myself into his bed, but I’m not.

He narrows his eyes. “You’re just as much of a mess.”

“I’m showering as well. That’s a given. I’m always a good bedmate.”

“Mm… you are.”

Without further complaint, he stumbles to the bathroom. I follow behind and draw the bath for him. He has a large, circular bath with enough space for the two of us—but this isn’t the time for me to join him.

I look around the room, squinting.

“I don’t have bubble bath or anything,” he says. “If that’s what you’re looking for.”

“No bath bombs?”

He rolls his eyes, peeling off his dirty clothes. “No. Nothing like that.”

“Then what’s the point of having a bath?”

“I didn’t ask for it. It came with the room.”

“We’ll have to make bubbles with your shampoo.”

To my great relief, he uses acceptable shampoo. It smells like grapefruit, and it doesn’t double as a conditioner, which is all I can expect from a man.

As Jun undresses, I squeeze a generous amount of shampoo into the tub, watching it foam up.

It’s not until Jun is sinking into the tub, a happy sigh escaping his mouth, that I undress myself. His gaze drags over each of my curves, his lips parting.

I don’t shy away from his scalding gaze. He’s never seen me naked before. Not fully. I don’t realize until it’s too late. After the day we’ve had, it’s the least of my worries.

How he watches should fluster me—and I suppose it does—but my desire for a shower is greater. Lucky for me, the shower is separate from the bath. He really has the best dormitory on campus.

“Do you like what you see?” I ask, soft and teasing.

His chest rises. “You’re fucking gorgeous. I didn’t know someone could look this good after slaying demons.”

“Why, thank you.” I step into the shower and turn it on.

“Wait...” His brows draw together. “Aren’t you coming here? With me?” He runs his hands down his thighs, disappearing beneath the water.

I laugh. “I don’t think this is the time for that, and your water is filthy.”

“But—”

“There will be plenty of time later. On another day, when my father hasn’t poisoned you.”

Maybe he can do me the favor of clarifying what we are before that, too. I’m not one to let things go this far if I don’t have security in a relationship, and he’s given me nothing. I wouldn’t be here at all if not for the poison he’s still fighting off.

I clean myself as hastily as possible, and he’s still soaking in the tub when I’m done. It’s a relief to get the demon sludge off me, but I cannot wait to sink into his warm bed.

After wrapping a large towel around myself, I pad back to his room. I shouldn’t be this at peace in his space, but I am. One of his button-up shirts becomes mine for the night, and I find him a comfortable pair of shorts to sleep in.

I’m changed and ready for bed when he joins, clothed in only a towel. My eyes draw over his chest, taking in the sight—a few scars litter the area. He’s perfect, strong, and chiseled.

I let out a soft sigh.