“Explain what? Being a jerk to me all this time?”

“Aliyah.”

“No, Zion.”

I shook my head, the warm water dripping down my back as I tried to stand up. Zion’s strong hands wrapped around my ankles, holding me in place. We sat there, chest-deep in the tub, facing each other.

His chiseled features were set in a stern expression, his dark eyes practically burning a hole through me. His jaw was clenched so tight I was surprised he hadn’t shattered his teeth, ...