27. In Control

Valerie tentatively reached for the shampoo bottle resting on the tub’s edge and poured a small amount into her palm. Valerie began massaging it into Antonio’s hair, her fingers moving through the strands with gentle expertise. Antonio kept his eyes closed, a contented sigh escaping his lips at the soothing sensation. “You’ve got gentle hands,” he murmured, his voice low and intimate. Valerie’s heart skipped a beat at his words, and she bit her lip, trying to suppress a smile. “I try,” she replied softly. They fell into a companionable silence as Valerie continued to massage his scalp, the warm water creating a tranquil backdrop. Despite the unusual setting, a sense of peace settled over her in that moment. The intimacy of the situation felt almost surreal, as though it belonged in a dream. Antonio’s damp hair slid smoothly between Valerie’s fingers, and she marveled at the trust he was placing in her. After a few more moments of careful massaging, Valerie dipped her hand into the wate