The bathroom was filled with the soft mist of a warm shower, and the scent of lavender hung in the air. Zayne gently pressed a towel against your damp hair, his fingers warm and steady as he cradled your head.

Just minutes ago, you had been running together under the heavy rain, laughing so hard your sides hurt. You could still feel the ghost of those raindrops on your skin, but now it was the heat of Zayne’s hands and the closeness of his body that made your heart pound.

"You’re completely soaked," he said softly, shaking his head with a crooked smile. His voice was low, almost teasing, but his touch was impossibly gentle.

"So are you," you whispered back, smiling despite the way your pulse raced. You reached up, brushing his wet bangs away from his forehead.

Zayne chuckled, a sound so warm it made the air between you feel thicker. "That’s because someone thought dancing in the rain was a good idea."

"You didn’t exactly stop me," you teased, raising an eyebrow.

He laughed again, but the sound quickly faded into something quieter, deeper. His fingers slowed as he held the towel to your face, his thumb tracing the line of your cheek.

"I wouldn’t stop you from anything that makes you smile like that," he said, voice barely above a whisper.