This Is Me

Riley

Steam rises around us, the warm spray of the shower cascading over our skin as Damien stands in front of me, his dark eyes softer than I've ever seen them. There's something about this moment—no walls, no distance, just the two of us—that feels more intimate than anything we've ever done. 

He's completely bare in every sense of the word, and it makes my heart ache in the best way.

I reach for the bar of soap, lathering it between my hands before sliding them over his shoulders, down his arms. The tension in his muscles seems to melt away under my touch, and I let myself take my time, appreciating every curve, every line.

My hands still as they trace one of the tattoos on his bicep, its eyes fierce and calculating, almost alive. My finger follows the sharp edges of its fur, marveling at the artistry. 

"What does this one mean?" I ask softly, my voice barely audible over the sound of the water.