The sound of water flowing in the bathroom echoed in Lucas's ears, conjuring up images of a graceful silhouette. With his eyes closed, the sensations grew even more vivid. He could almost feel the warm water, smell the fresh scent of body wash, and see smooth, porcelain-like skin…
*Damn it! There's no way I'm sleeping like this!*
What was she even doing in there? Was there really a need to take *that* long in the shower? And why was the water running so loud? It was impossible to ignore. *Must be terrible insulation on that door,* he thought with a mental note to get it fixed.
After a few more restless minutes of fake-sleeping, Lucas snapped his eyes open, sitting up and glaring at the bathroom door. The water was still running, and somehow an unfamiliar heat was building up in his body.
Unable to take it anymore, he leapt out of bed, strode over to the bathroom door, and knocked forcefully. "Snail, are you planning to sleep in there or—"
And then it happened.
To his shock, the bathroom door inched open under his knock, revealing a very stunned Claire, standing there, water glistening on her skin, about to reach for a towel. Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at him, frozen in place.
*Thump-thump… thump-thump…*
Claire clutched her chest as her heart threatened to leap out, meeting his blazing gaze that drifted down her face, shoulders, collarbone, and—
"Ahhh!"
In a panic, she yanked a towel and wrapped it around herself, her cheeks aflame. "How could you sneak a peek at me in the shower?"
Lucas blinked, regaining his composure as he scratched the back of his tousled hair, a sheepish grin spreading on his face. "I didn't *sneak* a peek. The door was practically wide open—I'd call that *very* above-board. Besides, how was I supposed to know you'd be showering with the door just cracked open?"
"Why did you even knock? Couldn't you wait until I was out?" She pouted. *I thought he was asleep! And he says he wasn't trying to spy?*
Reading her face like a book, Lucas smirked. *She really thinks I was trying to peek?*
His lips curled into a smug smile as he let out a low scoff. "You've got it all wrong. I came over because the water was running forever, and it was *really* loud. I'm a light sleeper, Snail. Don't go assuming I'm trying to spy on you. And honestly…" he cast a look up and down. "What's there to spy on anyway? You're practically skin and bones. Not much to see here."
After delivering his jab, he stepped aside, fully intending to leave, but before he could take a step, a furious Claire stormed over, grabbing his arm with surprising strength.
"Lucas! That's going too far! *What* do you mean by 'not much to see'?" She fumed, barely able to contain her anger. "Do you know how rude that sounds? After you barged in and—" She spluttered, indignant. How could he look down on her after seeing… everything?