[13] Anthropological Observations

The water was cooler than Teri preferred, and the heat gradient between it and Jim’s hands raised tingling gooseflesh all over her and pebbled her nipples, both of which he noticed immediately. His eyes followed where his hands roamed, the continuous migration of contrasting temperature and slippery caresses soothing and rousing at the same time. Except, she thought, there’s nothing soothing about being at most inches away from Jim’s chiseled body when he’s wearing that ravenous expression.

Heart racing already, she closed her eyes, her fingers extended like antennae, taking in only what she could of his intention by touch. The smell of soap—a clean, almost masculine blend of hot metal and rum—drifted around her, suffusing the shower’s mist, as Jim smeared the cleansing suds over himself and her, lingering where it fascinated him to. He lathered her arms and hands, lacing his fingers through hers an