Steam swirled thickly inside the bathroom as water cascaded over Alexander's body, tracing familiar paths along muscle and bone. His hand rested flat against the tiled wall, his head tilted slightly, his breathing steady but heavy with thought.

Daniela.

The memory danced brazenly in his mind, without permission.

The warmth of her skin. The way her breath had hesitated against his neck. The way she had trembled when he entered her, when he held her as all those nighttime dreams had played out in