Time drifted in the warm steam.
By the time the water lost its heat, Elena finally let herself slow down, her back resting against the cool tiled wall. She drew in a steady breath and reached for the body wash, intent on scrubbing away the sweat clinging to her skin.
Behind her, Jin Di's voice came lazily, shaped by amusement. "Hey. Don't forget me."
She twisted just enough to see him, giving him a dry look that held both annoyance and affection.
Still, she lathered her hands and pulled him closer, brushing the suds over his shoulders. He closed his eyes like a pampered king receiving tribute, not even pretending to be subtle about it.
"Jin Di," she said when she noticed that familiar spark in his expression. "Behave."
He leaned in until his breath warmed the edge of her ear. "Just one more minute. I promise."
She let out a long sigh that softened at the end. "You're exhausting."
"And yet you still like me," he murmured.
She didn't answer, but her silence said enough.
