Currents

Thirty-three ~ Power

Thirty-three ~ Power

WARNING: SEXUAL CONTENT IN THIS CHAPTER

I arrived at Brent's hotel shortly after my confrontation with Alastair, and I was surprised when he didn't answer the door. Despite his brave behaviour on the beach, I didn't think he'd have the courage to explore London alone given he'd never travelled before.

After the third round of knocking, I began to head back down the corridor but paused when I heard the door unlock.

I spun around. "Sorry, did I wake—?"

Words dried up on my tongue when my eyes landed on Brent, wearing nothing but a white towel secured around his hips. Although bad manners to stare, I couldn't help myself, entranced by his sculpted body.

Broad shoulders sparkled with droplets of water that trickled over his tanned chest and down into the grooves of his six-pack. His v-lines drew my eyes to the fluffy fabric concealing the rest of him. I may have observed him in shorts countless times, but there was something so intimate about seeing him in just a towel.

"Sorry, this is a bad time. I'll come back later," I said, going to turn around again and save myself any more embarrassment.

"It's fine." He grabbed my wrist to prevent me from leaving.

Misjudging my haste, he pulled me with a little too much force, and I stumbled into his body. Citrus notes fused with the damp heat from his skin, and warmth pooled between my legs as erotic thoughts sprung to mind.

Brent released his grip on my wrist, trailing his fingers along my arm, over my shoulder and eventually settling behind my neck. Then, without an ounce of hesitation, he lowered his mouth to mine.

His lips were as soft and gentle as I remembered, his breath just as warm with a hint of mint. If I touched his skin, it would send me to pieces, so instead I sunk my fingertips into the luxurious fabric of the towel at his hips.

All too soon, Brent broke from the kiss, dropping his hand from my nape and pushing the door shut. Then he surprised me with his next line.

"When we're kissing, it's the only time I feel a shift of power, like I'm the one in control."

I tilted my head to the side, narrowing my eyes. "What do you mean?"

"This whole summer I've felt below you. I know that wasn't your intention, but I couldn't help it."

"That's crazy because I thought the opposite. I constantly believed you were looking down on me, and when we kissed, that was the only moment I felt some equality."

With a sigh, Brent backed away, turning towards the bed where he took a seat on the edge. Like a magnetic pull, my feet followed until I sank into the mattress beside him.

"Regardless," he said, "there's nothing more tempting than seeing a side of a girl that people rarely see. It was hard to resist."

"And you think it's not the same for me? You're so reserved, hiding your emotions, avoiding most physical contact. Even Mia says she can't imagine you in a sexual situation."

"I know. I was there for that conversation, remember?" Despite his matter-of-fact delivery, amusement licked the corner of his mouth.

I grimaced, the jibe pelting me with embarrassment, whether light-hearted or not. "No need to taunt."

Although his comment had temporarily disarmed me, with my train of thought back on track, I started to wonder who else might have seen this other side to him. It wouldn't have mattered to me, but it piqued my curiosity.