Chapter 175: Maybe you’re the one trembling and pretending you’re not
The moonlight poured like liquid silver over the steamy surface of the hot spring, catching the edges of the rising mist and scattering light in delicate halos. The steam wrapped around them like breath—cloaking, revealing, hiding secrets only to whisper them back into the night.
And Isabella? She stood with one hip cocked and her chin lifted high, not a single drop of hesitation in her tone.
"Take it off."
Kian’s blue gaze locked onto hers. A long, unreadable silence stretched between them.
Then, with calculated confidence, he reached for the ties of his hide skirt.
No shame. No hesitation. Just slow, practiced movements as the material slid down and was discarded like it meant nothing at all.
And stars help her, Isabella didn’t mind. Not even a little.
She had been meaning to touch those abs since the first day they met. She was only being honest with herself now. And tonight? Tonight felt like the stars finally aligned.
She dipped her fingers into the warm clay bowl, swirling the soap, letting the lather coat her palms. The moment her feet moved forward, something inside her clicked. That earlier flustered energy? Gone.
Kian had challenged her—and she’d risen to meet him like she always did.
The water lapped gently around her thighs as she stepped close. Close enough to feel the heat radiating off his skin. The steam curled between their bodies, but not enough to hide the hard lines of his torso. Moonlight gleamed off the slick surface of his chest.