The steam from the bath seeped through the bathroom door gap as Samuel ascended the stairs, exhausted from a day filled with unsuccessful attempts to keep Alyssa off his mind. The hallway was quiet, dimly lit by the solitary lamp on the landing.

That's when the bathroom door swung open.

Alyssa emerged, shrouded in warm mist, her body glistening with drops of water, concealed only by a white towel that barely covered what was necessary. Water traced a path down her collarbones, meandering ...