Chapter 3: Mirrored Reflections
The bathroom door clicked shut behind them, muffling the jazz still playing in the suite. Laura’s pulse thrummed in her throat as Steve’s fingers traced the curve of her hip, his breath warm against her ear. Then the door swung open again, hinges groaning, and there stood Jake—completely naked, his skin glistening under the dim bathroom lights like he’d just oiled himself up for a damn photoshoot.
"Forgot something," he said, grinning like a kid who’d just stolen the last cookie. His eyes flicked to Laura, lingering just a second too long on the way her dress clung to her waist.
Tiffany froze mid-motion, her fingers still hooked around the last pearl snap of Jake’s shirt. She arched a brow, gaze darting between Jake and Steve, lips quirking. "Well," she drawled, "this just got interesting."
Steve’s jaw clenched. He hadn’t signed up for an audience. He shifted, blocking Laura’s view—or trying to, anyway. Jake was built like a damn basketball player, all lean muscle and confidence, and there wasn’t much Steve could do to hide that from her.
"What the hell, Jake?" Steve growled, voice low.
Jake just shrugged, unbothered. "Thought I’d join the party." He gestured lazily at himself, then winked at Laura. "Seems a waste, otherwise."
Tiffany snorted, shaking her head. "Always the exhibitionist." She let Jake’s shirt slide off her fingers, then sauntered past Steve, her hips swaying. "Come on in, then. Water’s warm."
Steve hesitated. This wasn’t the plan. He’d imagined slow hands, whispered confessions, Laura unraveling under his touch like she hadn’t in decades. Not… this. Not Jake’s cocky smirk, not Tiffany’s knowing glance, not the way the air crackled with something reckless.
Laura’s fingers tightened around his. He looked down, and her eyes held his—wide, uncertain, but curious. A silent question. A plea.
Steve exhaled, torn between irritation and a dark, twisting thrill. "Fine," he muttered, stepping aside. "But play nice."
Jake ignored the warning, strolling past like he owned the place. He reached for the shower faucet, water cascading in a sudden rush. Steam curled into the air as he turned, his gaze locked on Laura. "Who’s first?"
Tiffany didn’t wait. She shimmied out of her dress, letting it puddle at her feet, and stepped into the bathroom like she’d done this a thousand times. Maybe she had. Steve’s throat went dry at the sight—petite, golden, utterly unashamed.
He turned back to Laura, heart hammering. "Ready?" His voice came out rough, raw.
She bit her lip, eyes darting to Jake, then Tiffany, then back to him. Fear flickered there—but beneath it, something hotter. Something hungry. Her fingers brushed his jaw, feather-light. "Let’s do this," she whispered.
Steve grinned, wild and reckless, and pulled her into the steam. The night was just getting started.