Page 237 of Nyx

I chew on my bottom lip, wondering if I will ever let my hang-ups about sex go. It feels natural to exist in this moment with him, but I've never had open conversations about sex with anyone. I guess it's just one old habit I'll have to break.

"Shower?"

His grin doesn't fade as his eyes drift toward the bathroom.

"You want to go first?"

I shake my head.

"Can we shower together?" I offer, my cheeks heating with the question, worried about his answer.

"I'd love that," he says.

We continue to watch each other, slow to actually climb out of bed.

"This isn't getting it done," he whispers.

"I think I need just a minute alone before we get in the shower," I whisper, trying to look away but finding it impossible.

"I understand," he says, the first one to pull his eyes away.

"I need to pee," I rush out, a little embarrassed but not wanting him to think there's any other reason.

"And you don't want to do that in front of me?"

I scrunch my nose, loving the way it makes his nose scrunch up.

"No?" he chuckles.

"You'd do that in front of me?"

He shrugs before sitting up.

"I've done a lot worse in front of others, but the military sort of takes that shyness out of a person, I guess."

"Can we have a rule?"

He shifts, putting his legs over the edge of the bed before looking over his shoulder at me.

"A rule?"

"A bathroom rule," I offer.

"Sure," he agrees without asking for details.

"I don't want to ruin the magic between us by being so comfortable with the other's bodily functions," I explain.

"I can promise not to use the restroom in front of you," he says, but there's a look on his face that makes me curious.

"But...?"

His eyes dart away.

"I get really bubbly guts after eating Mexican food."

Another wave of laughter hits, making me feel as light as air.

"Noted," I say after the laughter dies down. "Give me a minute?"