Chapter 107

Ellie

 I tentatively reached for the shampoo bottle on the edge of the tub and carefully poured a small amount of shampoo into my palm. Then, I tentatively began massaging it into his hair, my fingers working through the strands gently. Giovanni kept his eyes closed and let out a contented sigh at the sensation.

"You've got gentle hands," he murmured, his voice low and intimate.

My heart skipped a beat at his words, and I bit my lip to suppress a smile. "I try," I replied softly.

We fell into a companionable silence as I continued to massage his scalp, the warm water lapping at the sides of the tub. Despite the unconventional setting and circumstances, there was a sense of peace settling over me at that moment.

The intimacy of the moment felt almost surreal, like something out of a dream. His hair, damp and soapy, slid easily between my fingers, and I couldn't help but marvel at the trust he was placing in me.