Touch me!

Violet's mouth opened instinctively, the urge to speak bubbling up before she clamped it shut, her head shaking vigorously as though to erase her thoughts. The action felt futile, and her breath quickened when Cain turned his head away without a word, standing and lifting himself out of the tub. The sudden motion sent a jolt through her body.

Her gaze snapped back to the wall, steadfastly avoiding looking at him. She focused on the faint patterns on the tiles, counting each line in a desperate attempt to calm her racing heart. The sound of water dripping off his body as he stepped out of the tub filled the silence, each drop echoing like a drumbeat in her ears.

Cain moved closer, his deliberate footsteps soft yet commanding. Violet's fingers twitched, and she took a tentative step toward the door, intending to fetch his clothes.