The Typhoon ~Vash x OC AU~

Chapter 34: Until the Water is Cold

**Mature content a head – reader discretion advised**

Leilani

The water is warm – hot. Heat and humidity fall to my lungs as steam rolls off my skin, pinkening me. Beads of water glide down my body, glossing my skin as the shower's current beats against me, massaging my muscles.

I hadn't even realized it, but tension pulls and pinches me, burrowed deep in my muscles. I exhale, letting go of it bit by bit.

The last two days have been a lot from finding Jonas to sitting down and talking with him. So much has been shared and revealed, including the mystery behind why Millions Knives targeted my uncle. Then Jonas learned that not only does he have a great-niece but that her father is Millions Knives's twin brother.

That was a lot. More than I thought.

"Lei?"

I jerk and turn in the direction of the door. My eyes and mind are so bleary that I almost don't register Vash's voice calling through the dense material.

"Yeah?" My voice is sharp and precise as it echoes, bouncing off the smooth shower stall. I cringe and wince.

"I just put Grey down for the night," he says, his voice muffled. "So I'm gonna step out for a bit."

"Okay. Thank you."

Exhaustion tugs my eyelids, and my body quivers. I hadn't realized the toll this stress was placing on me, but I feel it now, and I feel tired.

Silence fills the room, nothing but the patter of the water interrupting it when Vash speaks again. "Lei, are you okay?"

I pinch my brows. "Yeah, I'm fine. Why?"

Another beat of silence and then the door opens. Through the frosted tint of the glass, I can see Vash's outline – the way he stands, holding the doorknob. And though I can't see the details of his eyes, I know he is looking at me.

We stand for a moment, this quietness filling the spaces around us, seeping into my chest as I watch. He doesn't move. Not at first, but then he closes the door, his gaze never tearing from me.

Every cell in my body jumps to awareness, the hairs on the back of my neck standing as chills race down my spine. Suddenly, I am hyperaware and fixated on the way he watches me, on the way he studies me. How much can he see of me?

He says nothing and starts to move, peeling his shirt off before stepping from his joggers. I bite my bottom lip, my heart racing with the sudden longing to feel him. My body burst to life, my senses stirring.

Slowly, he rolls back the glass door, his eyes burning into mine. There is emotion and depth in that gaze, the fire raging. It is hot and intense, an inferno of raw desire and lust. I feel it simmer against my skin, tracing my curves and searching the space between my thighs.

Silently, he steps into the shower, the water grazing his chest as he closes the door, his eyes never leaving mine. They pierce me, pinning me to where I stand as this tension builds, roaring to life beneath my skin.

"I thought you were stepping out," I whisper. My chest is heavy, heaving with want and lust. I look at his lips.

"I was," he breathes. His eyes fall to my lips, and I feel that fire intensify. He reaches out, stroking his thumb along my lower lip. "But first I had to make sure you're okay."

"I'm fine." Hot blood rushes through me as his hand cuffs the side of my face. I lean into it, pressing my lips to his palm before pulling his thumb into my mouth, sucking. He tastes like flesh and salt and heat.