Page 112 of The Score

He smirks. "Then what?"

"My body might have woken up years ago."

"I see."

I shake my head. "Like. I don't remember this from when we were teenagers."

If he didn't keep me so close, I don't know if I would still be upright.

"I might have learned a thing or two," he says.

"Ugh. Don't make me think of how you learned these things."

"Then don't. Think about the things you want me to do with you. To you."

He walks me all the way to the little space around the wall, where the shower begins.

"What if I want you to kiss me again instead?" I ask.

"I'll kiss you again."

"And if I want you to do more?"

"I'll do more. Another time." He frowns like he's deep in thought. "I'll always give you enough time to change your mind."

I blink a few times. "Wait. What are we doing here?"

"You said you wanted a shower."

The words are a call to attention. My awareness pulls up like a soldier awaiting instructions.

"We… You… You're…" I gaze at the shower, already imagining all the things we could do.

There's room and showerheads and shower jets and a bench…

"You." Leon takes a step back. "Take your clothes off."

The command in his voice makes my knees buckle. "I— I— You do it."

His eyes glimmer. "I meant you can take a shower, since you said you wanted one. I'll get in bed. Try to sleep and give us time."

"That may be too slow, Bear," I protest.

He squints.

"Shower fun." I gulp. "It's on my bucket list."

I watch him, until he connects the dots.

He arches an eyebrow. "And I told you I'd help."

"You did."

"And there are things we can do and still take it slow."

"As long as it's not too slow."

He smirks. "Greedy, are we?"

"Maybe desperate." I lick my lip. "Don't tell anyone."

He doesn't say anything to that, but the gleam in his eyes tells me my response was exactly what he wanted to hear.

I must look a little wobbly— with reason. I am. He must see the signs. Bear grabs me by the arms and guides me into the shower, clothes and all.