Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Ronald was practically steaming when he finally stepped out of the bathroom- twenty minutes under ice-cold water, and he still looked like he needed another round.

With nothing but a white towel wrapped low around his waist, he looked every bit the picture of self-control, water still clinging to his hair and trailing down his shoulders to abs that would make any gym rat jealous. He radiated coolness— literally and figuratively.

Stella had just hung up with Susie, her best friend.

She turned to ask Ronald something, but the words caught in her throat when she saw him. She swallowed hard, unable to help herself.

God, she thought, it wasn't like she'd had much experience with this sort of thing. From first opening up to now, she'd barely gotten a taste. She didn't stand a chance.

Catching her staring, Ronald smirked, his voice teasing. "Do I look good?"

Stella nodded, honest as ever. "Yeah. You do."

His grin widened. "Wanna touch?"

She blurted out, "Yeah- I mean, no. No, I can't."

She'd barely nodded before she changed her mind, shaking her head quickly. If she touched him, he'd be back in the shower for another half hour of cold water, and they'd never get to sleep.

Ronald just laughed and grabbed his robe from the sofa, slipping it on in one smooth motion. As he pulled off the towel, those long, athletic legs of his made her mind wander all over again.

He climbed into bed, pulling back the covers on his side. He didn't immediately reach for her he was still ice-cold from the shower, and didn't want to chill her too.

arms anyway, snuggling up close. Ronald placed a gentle

wiggling

she really hadn't been wiggling-just

softening. "Be good. I'm still freezing.

to gently nudge her away, but Stella

to cuddle. Let me

gonna catch a

insisted. "How cold can it get under the

a little exasperated but mostly amused. He wasn't about to push

Stella said suddenly, propping

The way she called him "babe" sent a warm rush right through him and He

called just now," she

for a

looked at her, waiting for

his silence made Stella pout. "You

time

she called before you

Why didn't you tell me?"

accusatory, a little hurt. Since

Stella squirmed, trying to get

"I did it on