Page 80 of The Snowflake Effect

I run to the front door before the car comes to a complete stop and fumble with my key to get the darn thing open. Kolton presses up behind me and weaves his fingers through my hair, tugging hard enough to turn my face to his. His tongue invades my mouth, muddling my senses, his lips hungry on mine.

When my key clicks in place, I pull away and stumble inside the house. He reaches for me, but I push at his chest, waiting and listening for Stella.

“Continue with your coupling,” she calls from upstairs. “Jackson’s asleep.”

Before Kolton can resume his groping, I hurry ahead. He may have pulled out all the stops with his candy bouquet—left, sadly, on the front seat of the car—but I have my own plans for this evening. Yesterday, I passed by the sauna in the lower level and couldn’t stop imagining Kolton’s slippery skin sliding over mine. I set the timer before leaving tonight.

“Come to our room,” he says as I head for the stairs.

Breathless with anticipation, I stay my course. I grip the banister and descend, nearly tripping in my rush. Kolton’s hot on my heels, a step behind.

When we make it to the bottom, he snakes his arm around my waist. “You’re naughty tonight,” he says as he palms my breast.

My nipples pebble instantly. “You haven’t seen naughty yet. In honor of me being open to new things, I’m in charge tonight.”

“Not sure how long you think I’ll let that fly, but I’ll play along. For now.”

He sneaks in another squeeze, then releases his hold on me. I cross the hardwood floor and run my hand along the pool table in the center of the living space. I don’t have to glance behind to know he’s following; heat suffuses my back.

Soon, it will get even warmer.

When I reach the sauna door, I don’t stop. I don’t strip down. I walk in fully clothed.

A breathy “Jesus” comes from Kolton.

I hear him seal the door, and I flip around. In seconds, his shirt clings to his body, the lines of his pecs defined under the damp cotton.

Sweat gathers on his face. “I don’t think I can let you take control in here, Shay. It’s too much.” He shakes his head as if to clear it, his eyes locking on my white tank top, the moist fabric no longer leaving much to the imagination.

Neither of us move.

Heat seeps into my bones, dense and heavy, until it’s hard to stand.

The sauna is big enough for six people, but Kolton’s presence crowds me. Overwhelms me. And I need this. If I’m going to be with him, shatter the last of my defenses, I need to know I can control him, too. Own him. Because I think I’m finally ready to let go.

I grab the large sponge from the water bucket and squeeze it over the hot stones. Steam billows, filling the sultry air and shooting the temperature up to scorching. My hair drips down my back.

Instead of answering him, I say, “Strip, but don’t touch me.”

One beat. Two.

Cedar and eucalyptus invade my nose on each deep inhale.

Jaw tight, he finally peels off his wet shirt, and my eager moans fill the room.

Fit but lean, his body is a thing of beauty: broad chest with the perfect amount of hair, abs so defined I could wash my very wet underwear on them (while worn), and narrow hips that point to the treasure at the end of this hunt. He undoes his belt buckle, and I thank God for the millionth time that Kolton flies commando.

His cock springs from his jeans.

Once his denim is off, he steps toward me, but I hold up my hand.

My tank top and skirt are a second skin, suctioned to my body. I remove the sodden layers, then my bra and underwear, until I’m bare before him. I move close enough that my breasts skim his chest. He sucks in a sharp breath. Like a good boy, though, he doesn’t touch me.

I press my lips to his ear. “Turn around and put your hands on the wall.”

He flexes his fingers. “I’ll watch a week straight of romantic comedies if I can put my hands somewhere else.”

Tempting, but I step away and douse the stones with more water.