Steam curled around you, clinging to your skin like silk as the hot water poured down from above. You sighed, eyes closed, letting the stress melt off your shoulders. The house was quiet—Cameron had told you he was heading out for a bit, and you'd thought you'd have enough time to unwind, alone.

You didn’t hear the door open. You barely registered the shift in the room’s air pressure through the sound of rushing water.

So when you felt arms wrap lightly around your waist from behind, your body didn’t tense. Instead, you leaned back into the embrace with a soft, content smile. “Back already?” you murmured.

Lips brushed your shoulder. “Couldn’t stay away,” came the response, low and close to your ear.

It was a little different. A shade deeper. But in the haze of heat and the comfort of familiar touch, you didn’t question it.

Your hand reached behind to run along his arm. “Mmm, I thought you had errands.”

There was a pause. Barely a heartbeat.

“Changed my mind.”

Something about the tone made your brows furrow. You turned slowly in the shower, expecting to meet Cameron’s warm brown eyes.

And froze.

It wasn’t Cameron.

It was Malachi.

Your breath caught, heart skipping. The foggy glass, the dim lighting, the twin-like resemblance—it had fooled you. But now, up close, there was no denying the difference. His gaze was darker, heavier. His smirk laced with something more dangerous.

“Malachi?!” you gasped, stepping back instinctively, water sloshing beneath your feet.