Chapter 463:

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After a few seconds, Joslyn seemed to feel his gaze on her and turned back slightly. “Are you going to shower tonight? Do you need help?”

Connor swallowed. “Yeah.”

She walked over and reached for the buttons of his shirt.

He lowered his eyes to watch her.

Her lashes remained lowered, her expression quiet and intent. One by one, she undid the buttons with careful precision, and then eased the shirt from his shoulders while deliberately avoiding the cast on his left arm.

After that, she bent her head and unfastened his belt.

In the past, an action like this would have carried an unmistakable tension between them. Tonight, however, there was none of that. Only quiet attentiveness remained, along with a tenderness so restrained it felt almost solemn.

Joslyn hung his clothes properly, and then wrapped his left arm in a waterproof sleeve. She turned and entered the bathroom first, adjusted the water, tested the temperature with her hand before looking back at him. “The water is ready. Come in.”

𝘞𝘦𝘦k𝗅𝘆 𝗋еlе𝘢ѕe𝘀 𝗼𝘯 𝗴𝖺𝘭𝘯𝗼ve𝗹𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝘮

Warm steam filled the bathroom, blurring the mirror into a pale haze.

Joslyn picked up the showerhead, adjusted it to a gentle spray, and said, “Stand still. I will rinse you first.”

Warm water flowed over Connor’s skin, bringing with it a deep, soothing comfort.

Her touch was light as she worked the shower gel into foam, moving in slow circles over his back and shoulders while carefully keeping away from his injured arm.

Neither of them spoke. Only the steady sound of water filled the narrow space between them.

“Turn around,” she said softly.

Connor turned to face her.

Warm water traced the hard lines of his chest and abdomen, sliding down in clear streams.

Joslyn did not look away, nor did her gaze carry the slightest trace of awkwardness. Her eyes were calm and steady, her attention fixed only on helping him rinse away the foam.

Steam curled thickly around them. Fine droplets gathered on her lashes, and the heat had tinted her cheeks with a faint flush.

Connor raised his right hand and lightly brushed his thumb beneath her eye.

Joslyn’s movements paused. Then, slowly, she lifted her head and looked at him.

“Were you crying?” His voice was low, almost swallowed by the quiet between them.

Joslyn shook her head. “No. It’s only shower water. Some of it splashed onto my face.”

Only then did Connor realize how tightly his nerves had been wound. A faint smile touched his lips.

Joslyn turned off the water and reached for a bath towel. “All right, dry yourself and go out. Do not catch a chill.”

Then she took a smaller towel for herself and gently dabbed the damp strands of hair near her face.

Once they left the bathroom, Joslyn changed into her pajamas and sat before the vanity, slowly combing through her hair in front of the mirror.

Connor also changed into his pajamas before walking up behind her.

Their reflections appeared together in the mirror.

One standing, one seated.

Joslyn met his eyes through the glass. “Do you want me to blow-dry your hair?”

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