Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2637

“I’ll go shower first, then,” Sylvia said. After a full day of hiking, she felt sticky and was eager to wash up.

Gabriel started toward his own room.

Sylvia took two steps, then turned back. “Your wound can’t get wet.”

He turned, a look of indifference on his face. “How am I supposed to shower without getting it wet?”

“You could wrap it,” she suggested.

“It’s fine.”

With that, he walked away.

Sylvia stood there, her chest tight with frustration. She wanted to let it go, to not care, but she couldn’t stop herself from walking toward his room.

She pushed the door open to find him pulling off his t-shirt, his toned upper body exposed. Her heart skipped a beat, and she quickly looked away.

Gabriel glanced back and saw her but acted as if she wasn’t there, grabbing a change of clothes from the closet and heading for the bathroom.

Sylvia followed him in and saw him start to unfasten his pants. “Don’t!” she blurted out.

He turned, his gaze intense. “You’re conflicted, aren’t you?” he said slowly. “Torn. Do you even know what you’re doing right now?”

Sylvia stared at him, her eyes misting over.

After a few seconds, she turned and walked out.

A heavy weight settled in Gabriel’s chest. A full day of hiking, of carrying her for miles—none of it had tired him. But in this moment, it felt as if all his strength had been drained away.

Suddenly, the door opened again. Sylvia came back in carrying a stool.

“Sit,” she said flatly.

Gabriel’s brow furrowed. He started to speak, but the showerhead came on again, and he instinctively clamped his mouth shut.

A small smile played on Sylvia’s lips. Though she was teasing, she was careful, shielding his injured arm while keeping the water pressure low to avoid splashing his wound. The white foam washed away, and water streamed down his strong neck and shoulders, over the sculpted muscles of his back and abs, quickly soaking his black sweatpants and clinging to his frame.

Steam filled the bathroom, and the temperature rose. Sylvia found it a little hard to breathe.

“Your top half is done. I’m leaving now. You can finish up, and remember not to get your wound wet,” she instructed, her voice steady.

“Done?” he asked, his face blank. He picked up a bottle from the shelf. “What’s this for?”

“Body wash. You won’t be needing it,” Sylvia said.

“And why not?” he challenged. “Are men not allowed to use it?”

Sylvia took a deep breath. Without another word, she squeezed the gel onto his shoulder and began to rub it in, her palm moving in slow circles down his body.