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Leo reached toward it. The sponge pulled against Nate’s fingers, and he let go.

It bobbed once, dripping onto his foot, then rose to shoulder height.

“Turn around.”

Nate moved out of the spray and turned. The first touch was light. Then the sponge pressed more firmly against his shoulder blade.

“Is that all right?”

“Yes.”

It moved down his back, leaving a warm trail of soap, then returned the same way. Nate rested a hand on the wall and let his head fall forward.

“A little to the left.”

Leo obliged.

“There. That’s good.”

The sponge worked over the sore muscle. Nate let out a pleased breath. He hadn’t expected Leo’s offer to watch him shower to turn into this, but he was very glad it had.

For a while, neither of them spoke. There was the noise of the shower and the pleasant pressure against his back, and Nate didn’t have to do a damn thing.

It was very nice, having his boyfriend touch him.

Even by means of a sponge.

With his eyes closed, he could imagine Leo standing naked behind him. His body reacted to that particular fantasy almost immediately.

A small sound escaped him, and the sponge stopped.

“Oh,” Leo said. “You like that.”

“I do.” Nate turned and reached for him, concentrating until he could draw him closer. He kissed him. “Your clothes are getting in the way of my fantasy,” he murmured.

Leo stared at him for half a second.

Then his clothes disappeared.

Nate laughed into the next kiss. “That’s better.”

The sponge started moving again, pressing against his side and continuing its slow path around his waist. He’d almost forgotten about it.

Apparently Leo hadn’t.

Nate kept one hand at the back of Leo’s neck and concentrated on the kiss. The tea helped, but touching him still took effort. Nate had to hold on to the feel of him, keep his attention from wandering.

Which Leo was making increasingly difficult by moving the sponge low over Nate’s stomach.

Nate’s fingers passed through Leo’s neck.

Leo drew back, laughing.

“You’re making this difficult,” Nate told him.

“I’m washing you.” The sponge traveled around Nate’s hip.

“Yes, I’m sure that’s all you want to do.”