Zelena. I stepped carefully into the tub and lowered myself into the still steaming water. I hissed a little as the heat shocked me, but my body welcomed the hot water. Gunner slid in behind me, pulling me to sit between his legs and lean against his chest. Without saying a word, he picked up a loofah ball, squirted some body wash on it, and began to gently rub my chest. He lifted my arm and dragged the sponge up and down my arm, covering it in bubbles. He moved on to the next arm and repeated the process. “Sit forward” he commanded, and I obliged. Sitting up I hugged my knees and Gunner began to move the sponge in circles on my back. He was so soft and gentle with his movements, like I was the most delicate thing in the world. He lightly swept his fingers over the mark on the back of my

