Whispers in the Steam

"The real Ronan," I repeated, my mind still processing what Rhys had said. The contrast between shy, blushing Ronan and the dominant force of nature I'd just experienced was staggering.

"Yeah, it's like he's got this whole other person inside him," Rhys explained, making a gesture like something exploding. "He's basically the Incredible Hulk, but instead of turning green, he just gets sexy as hell."

I laughed, pulling the sheet tighter around me. "I can't believe I just had sex with the Incredible Hulk."

"Better than the rest of the Avengers, I'd say," Rhys winked.

"I'm going to make you watch all those movies one day," I promised. "You'd love Tony Stark."

"Is he hot?"

"Very."

Our conversation paused at the sound of the bathroom door opening. Ronan emerged with just a towel wrapped low around his hips, water droplets still clinging to his broad chest. His copper hair was darkened by the shower and slicked back from his face. The confidence from our encounter hadn't fully receded—he moved with a quiet self-assurance that made my heart skip.

"Hey," he said, a slight blush creeping up his neck as he noticed Rhys. The beast was tucked away again, but not completely gone. "How are you feeling, Hazel?"

"Good," I replied, unable to stop my eyes from traveling over his body. "Really good."

He gave me a knowing smile that made heat pool in my belly. "Can I get you anything?"

"Some juice would be great, if we have any."

"Coming right up." He leaned down and kissed my forehead softly before heading for the door, the muscles in his back flexing as he moved.

Rhys and I both tilted our heads, watching him leave.

"Damn," Rhys whispered once Ronan was out of earshot. "I'm starting to regret not making a move on him last year."

I playfully swatted his arm. "Hey! Mine."

"Ours," he corrected with a grin, then glanced around the room, his expression turning more serious. "Hey, can we talk somewhere private? About Jaxon?"

My stomach tightened at the mention of Jaxon's name. Despite our recent progress, things were still complicated between all of us.

"The bathroom?" I suggested. "The water might drown out our voices if anyone's listening."

Rhys nodded and followed me into the large ensuite. I turned on the shower and the bath faucets full blast, creating a wall of sound. We sat on the edge of the tub, facing each other.

"Thanks," I said immediately, my voice low despite the noise. "For earlier, with Jaxon. You handled him really well."

Rhys's usual confidence faltered, a vulnerability showing in his blue eyes. "I've had a lot of practice. When it comes to Jax, I'm always walking on eggshells."

"You really care about him."

"Yeah," he admitted, running a hand through his blonde hair. "More than I should, probably."

"Has something happened between you two?" I asked gently. "Besides the obvious tension."

Rhys hesitated, then nodded. "He kissed me."

My eyebrows shot up. "He what? When?"

"A few months ago. We were training late, just the two of us. He pinned me during a wrestling match and just... kissed me. Hard. Like he couldn't help himself."

"And then?"

"And then nothing." Rhys sighed, frustration evident in his voice. "He acted like it never happened. Every time I try to get close to him, he gets all distant and weird. It's like he has these moments of weakness where he lets himself feel something, then he builds his walls back twice as high."

I reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "That sounds exactly like Jaxon."

"I don't know what to do with him," Rhys confessed. "One minute he's looking at me like he wants to devour me, the next like he can barely stand me. And now with the piercing—"

"Wait, what piercing?" My curiosity was definitely piqued.

Rhys's eyes widened. "You haven't seen it? Oh my god, it's so hot. He got his tongue pierced last month. I nearly died when I first saw it." He fanned himself dramatically.

I tried to imagine Jaxon with a tongue piercing, and the image sent an unexpected thrill through me. "Why would he get that?"

"Who knows why Jaxon does anything?" Rhys shrugged. "But there are certain... advantages to a piercing like that, if you know what I mean."

My cheeks heated as I caught his meaning. "Oh."

"Yeah. Oh." Rhys gave me a knowing look. "But it doesn't matter how hot he is if he won't let anyone close."

"We'll figure him out," I assured him, though I wasn't entirely convinced myself. "Between the two of us, we make a pretty good team."

Rhys smiled, some of his usual brightness returning. "We do, don't we? You're good for him, Hazel. He's different when you're around—still an ass, but a slightly less murderous one."

"High praise," I laughed.

"For Jaxon? That's practically a declaration of love."

We sat in companionable silence for a moment, the water creating a comforting white noise around us. I was about to say something else when Rhys suddenly lunged forward.

"Shit!" he exclaimed, reaching for the faucets. "The bath is about to overflow!"

I quickly turned off the taps, just as water began lapping dangerously at the rim. We both breathed a sigh of relief.

"That would've been fun to explain," I said, looking at the nearly full tub. "Might as well not waste it."

Before I could suggest getting out so he could bathe in private, Rhys stood and started stripping off his clothes with casual ease.

"What are you doing?" I asked, though it was obvious.

"Taking a bath," he replied with a grin, pulling his shirt over his head to reveal his toned chest. "Care to join me?"

He stepped out of his pants and underwear in one smooth motion, standing before me completely naked and completely unashamed. His body was lean but muscular, golden skin practically glowing in the bathroom light.

I couldn't help but stare as he lowered himself into the steaming water, sighing contentedly. Once settled, he extended his hand toward me, water dripping from his fingertips.

"Come on," he said, his blue eyes twinkling with invitation. "The water's perfect."