Steam thickened in the air, curling around Chloe's bare shoulders as water cascaded down her body. She pressed her palms against the slick tile, steadying herself, the pounding spray doing little to drown out the thunder of her pulse.

Behind her, Valerius moved like a shadow, slipping soundlessly into the shower. The glass door closed with a soft click.

Heat radiated from him not from the water, but from his nearness. His presence filled the small space, overwhelming, magnetic.

Chloe tilted ...