He laughed. “I think it’s a little too late to be shy.”
“I guess that’s true, but I don’t feel comfortable being naked.” In the light, every flaw showed.
He slipped off his shoes, unzipped his pants, and stepped out of them. The man didn’t wear underwear. Yikes. Lust shot through her. What was wrong with her?
“I can help with that.” He grinned and tossed off his shirt.
“Huh?”
“I can help desensitize you.”
“What does that mean?” She liked the sound of it, but wanted to make sure he wasn’t expecting them to have sex. She was too sore.
He walked into the shower and turned her to face the running water but kept her far enough back so that the spray dropped in front of her. He reached around her, wrapped one arm around her waist, and pumped the soap dispenser with the other.
“This is what I mean.” He rubbed her breasts with the soap, and his slippery touch excited her.
“This probably isn’t such a good idea.” She twisted in his arms to speak face-to-face. His penis slapped her belly. “Oh, definitely not a good idea.”
He dropped back his head and laughed. The sound was one she could hear hundreds of times and never be tired of it. “Don’t worry. I know you need a break. Ignore him. He’s here to get clean, too.”
Her bold side surfaced. “Can I help?”
He groaned. “Your kind of help will get you in trouble.”
The devil on her shoulder made her reach out and grab his erection. The slick water allowed pumping her fist easy. “Maybe I need to see if he tastes any different from last night.”
Dirk clasped her shoulders. “Who are you? Yesterday, you were this shy little filly, and today you’re wonderfully brazen.”
She liked that analogy. She shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve decided to just do what feels right.” And forget about her upbringing for another day. She’d already sinned.
He drew her to his chest. “I like the feels right part.”
He leaned over and kissed her like it was their first time. His soft lips and passionate embrace rippled down to her toes. If only she were a foot taller, everything would line up so well.
Dirk stepped back, his breaths coming out faster. “I can’t be with you and not want to make love. I think we need to just wash and get out.”
Speechless over his declaration, she pumped soap into her palm. She thought about turning her back as she cleaned between her legs, but he might construe her action as insulting. If this relationship was going to work, she needed to get over her inhibitions.
Dirk kept his gaze off her body as he quickly washed. Before she finished rinsing, he stepped out of the shower and toweled off.
“I came in to say breakfast was ready, but then I got distracted.”
“Uh-huh.”
Animals had good hearing. He must have been aware she was in the shower—naked. She shut off the water and stepped out. This time, she proudly faced him.
His eyes squeezed shut for a moment. He exhaled. “I got your yoga pants and top from your bedroom. They’re on the bed.”
“Thanks.”
He nodded then he left.
Amused by his reaction, she hurriedly dressed in the outfit he’d brought and dashed out of his bedroom into hers to change into something more suitable. She didn’t need Clay to see her nipples.
The smell of bacon, eggs, and coffee permeated the hallway. Boy, was she hungry. She changed as fast as she could, then rushed into the main room. Dirk was already seated at the table, and Clay was at the center island. He picked up a pile of scrambled eggs and placed it on the table.
“Have a seat.”
She glanced at him. Did he know what transpired last night? He probably would be upset if he did. With her back to Clay, she glanced to Dirk and mouthed, does he know?
Dirk must have telepathed something to Clay because he turned around. “Elena, just so you know. There’s nothing secret between the three of us. Nor should there ever be.”
Uh-oh. She decided to test him. “You’re okay with me having been intimate with Dirk?”
“More than okay.” He grinned. “Remember when I said you are our mate?”
The words tumbled around in her brain. She did remember but dismissed the concept of loving two men.
“Don’t get me wrong. I like you, but I believe in committing to one man at a time.”
“I understand.”
While he said nothing more, she didn’t believe the conversation was over. Dirk poured her juice, and Clay brought over the bacon and toast.
Dirk waved his glass. “Let’s eat.”
She was halfway through breakfast when Clay leaned back in his seat. “I don’t want to upset you, but can you tell us about your time in the warehouse?”