Skies & Florets

Chapter 28

QUENTIN

The sound of water trickling down from the showerhead e c h o e s softly in the small bathroom, mingling with the quietness of the morning. The steam curls in the air, wrapping itself around us, but I can only focus on her. Lilac, stood beneath the stream of water, her pale skin glistening, her long hair clinging to her back in d a m p waves.

She's so damn beautiful. . .

The steady rhythm of the water falling against my skin matches the thudding of my heart. Lilac stands before me, her body illuminated by the dim light filtering through the bathroom window. The shower steams around us, creating an intimate haze that feels like we're in our own little world, far away from everything.

I can't take my eyes off her.

Every inch of her is breathtaking, from the curve of her neck to the way her damp hair clings to her shoulders. She's standing so close, the water dripping down her skin in rivulets. Her eyes, wide and shining, meet mine, and for a second, I forget to breathe.

She's alluring. Not in a fleeting, momentary way, but in a way that feels e t e r n a l, like she's always been this perfect and I've only just been lucky enough to see it.

I raise my hand, gently brushing a wet strand of hair away from her face, my thumb trailing down her cheek. Her skin is soft beneath my touch, and she leans into it, her eyes fluttering shut for a moment. There's a quiet serenity between us, the kind that speaks volumes without needing words.

"Lilac. . ." I whisper her name like a prayer, and it feels like I'm sinking deeper into the moment, into her. I can't help it. She's mesmerizing.

Her eyes flutter open, and for a second, we just stand there, staring at each other. Her lips part slightly, as if she's about to say something, but instead, she closes the distance between us, her hands resting on my chest, fingers trailing across my skin. She's so close, I can feel her breath on my neck.

I can't resist any longer.

I lean down, capturing her lips in a kiss. It's gentle at first, testing the waters, but the moment her lips move against mine, something inside me snaps. The kiss deepens, our mouths moving in sync, as if we've been waiting for this moment for years. My hands find her waist, pulling her closer, needing her nearer, as if proximity alone could make up for all the lost time.

She sighs into the kiss, and I can't help but smile against her lips. There's something about the way she reacts to me, the way her body melts into mine, that makes me feel like this is where I'm meant to be.

Her fingers slide up, tangling in my wet hair, and I groan softly, pulling her even closer. The heat of the water, combined with the warmth of her body, creates a heady mix that I never want to let go of.

Everything else fades away—the sound of the water, the world outside—until all that's left is her.

Us.

I pull away, just enough to look at her. Her cheeks are flushed, her lips swollen from our kiss, and there's a spark in her eyes that makes my chest tighten.

"You're staring again," she teases, her voice soft and breathy, but there's a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"Can you blame me?" I say, my voice low. I brush a thumb across her bottom lip. "You're perfect."

She blushes, biting her lip as she looks away for a moment, and it's that small gesture that makes my heart swell. Despite everything—despite the fact that we're standing here, together, as close as we can get—there's still a vulnerability to her, something r a w and real that makes her even more beautiful to me.

She steps back slightly, her fingers sliding down my arms, and I feel the loss of her touch instantly.

"We should probably get out before we turn into prunes," she says with a soft laugh, reaching past me to turn off the water. The warmth of the shower fades, leaving only the heat between us.

I grab a towel from the rack, wrapping it gently around her shoulders. She smiles up at me, her eyes filled with something I can't quite place—something that feels like contentment, like she's just as lost in this moment as I am.

As she dries off, I can't help but watch her. Every movement she makes, every glance she throws my way, has me captivated. It's as if I'm seeing her for the first time all over again, and yet I know I could spend a lifetime like this and never get enough.

She catches me staring again and laughs, shaking her head. "Come on! We need to get dressed."

I nod, though I'm reluctant to let this moment end. But I follow her out of the bathroom, grabbing another towel for myself as I dry off. My eyes drift to her as she slips into one of her simple dresses, the light fabric clinging to her damp skin in a way that makes my pulse race.

Once she's dressed, she turns to me, a soft smile on her lips. "Ready?"

I nod, stepping closer to her. "Not quite." Before she can ask what I mean, I lean down, pressing one last kiss to her lips—slow, lingering, filled with everything I haven't been able to say.

She moans against me, her hands resting on my chest again, and for a moment, we're back in that shower, lost in each other.

When we finally pull apart, she smiles up at me, her eyes twinkling. "Okay, now I'm ready."