Page 88 of Sparks Fly

I laughed softly and kissed her temple. “You okay?”

She nodded, still clinging to me. “More than okay.”

For a few moments, neither of us moved. I ran my hands slowly over her back while her breathing settled, the urgency between us fading into something warm and quiet.

Eventually, she rested her forehead against my chest, listening to my breathing before pulling back.

“Turn around,” she said gently.

I blinked. “Why?”

“Because I want to wash your hair.”

Something in my chest softened.

I turned, and her fingers worked shampoo into my hair, her nails lightly scraping my scalp. My eyes closed as the last of the tension left my shoulders.

“That feels so good,” I whispered.

“You’re always taking care of me,” she said quietly. “Let me take care of you, too.”

I leaned back against her without thinking.

“I like you like this,” she murmured. “Soft. Quiet.”

My heart thudded harder against my ribs.

She guided me beneath the water and carefully rinsed the shampoo from my hair. When she finished, her arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

We stayed there until the water began to cool.

Just warmth. Just us.

After the shower, we made coffee while sunlight stretched across the kitchen floor. Addison came out wearing my hoodie and a pair of sleep shorts, her damp hair loose around her shoulders and her cheeks still flushed from the heat.

The sight of her like that felt unfair.

I handed her a mug and kissed her temple. “Want to watch an episode before we load up the bike?”

“Definitely.”

We curled up on the couch with our legs tangled, mugs warm between our hands.

“How are we getting our bags on the bike?” she asked.

“Saddlebags. I put them on yesterday.”

She smiled. “You planned ahead.”

“I’ve been planning all week.”

She leaned closer until her forehead rested against mine. “I’m really glad I said yes.”

“Me too.”

Buffy played quietly in the background, though neither of us paid much attention. Her fingers traced slow circles beneath my t-shirt while I kissed her cheek, then her jaw, then the spot below her ear.

“You keep doing that,” she murmured, “and we’re never leaving.”