The bathroom was still thick with steam, curling in lazy ribbons toward the ceiling, the warmth clinging to my skin as I stepped onto the plush bath mat. The scent of lavender soap lingered in the air, mingling with the faint mineral tang of the hot water.

I reached for a towel, dragging the soft fabric over my arms, my belly, my thighs, before twisting it around my damp hair. I felt the heat flush my body, my complexion dewy and humming with the shower’s lingering comfort.

The bedroom was cooler, the air feathering against me as I padded toward the full-length mirror. I stood in front of it, naked, and let my eyes trace the changes in my body.

My curves had softened, my once lean waist now a gentle slope leading to the firm roundness of my belly. I ran my hands over it, feeling the tautness of my skin, the faint flutter of movement beneath my palm.

My hips had widened, my thighs fuller, my breasts heavier—no longer petite, but round and lush, my nipples a deeper shade than before. My ass, once tight and perky, had grown plumper, the extra weight shifting the way I carried myself. I tilted my head, studying the reflection with a mix of curiosity and appreciation.

I was different. But I was beautiful.

Still, I wondered. Would my body ever be the same after the baby? Would my hips stay this wide? Would my stomach ever be as flat as it had been? Would my breasts still belong to me after months of nursing? I wasn’t afraid of change, but I couldn’t deny that the thought crossed my mind.

A familiar warmth pressed against my back, large hands sliding over my belly, fingers spread as if to hold all of me at once. I closed my eyes for a moment, sinking into the embrace as a slow smile graced my lips.

“You are so damn beautiful,” Ryan murmured, his breath warm against the curve of my neck.

I sighed as he kissed just beneath my ear, his stubble grazing my damp skin. “Mmm. You have to say that.”

His lips curved against my shoulder. “I don’t have to say anything. I’m simply stating facts.”

I rolled my eyes, but the way his hands roamed over my belly, the way he held me, made my heart squeeze. He had been nothing but worshipful since the moment my body began to change.

Where I saw unfamiliarity, he saw something mesmerizing. He touched me more now than ever, as if he couldn’t get enough, as if he wanted to memorize every shift and swell.

“Look at you,” he murmured, his fingers tracing slow circles over the skin right above my navel. “You are incredible.”

I tilted my head back against his chest, letting his warmth surround me. “You’re just saying that because my boobs are huge.”

He laughed, the low rumble vibrating against me. “That’s a nice perk, but no.” His hands slid up, cupping me gently, his thumbs brushing over the sensitive peaks. “I love every inch of you. And I mean every inch.”

A shiver rippled through me, my body attuned to his touch, always. His lips found the curve of my shoulder again, pressing slow, lingering kisses against my damp skin. I sighed, relaxing into him, but as his hands wandered lower, I let out a groan.

“What?” he asked, his lips still against my body.

I wrinkled my nose. “I just realized something.”

He hummed. “What’s that?”

I shifted in his hold, his fingers slipping lower over the swell of my belly as I met his gaze in the mirror. “My bush is completely out of control.”

Ryan blinked, then let out a startled laugh. “Jesus, Claire.”

I pouted, rubbing my abdomen. “I mean, I usually keep it neat, but I can’t exactly see much anymore.”

His laughter softened into a smirk as he turned me in his arms, his hands settling on my hips. “Want some help?”

I raised a brow. “Are you offering to groom me?”

His grin widened. “I am. I’m pretty good with a razor, you know.”

I snorted. “Says the man who nicks himself at least once a week.”

“Hey, I get distracted!” He squeezed me. “But I promise I’ll be extra careful with you.”

I tilted my head, considering. The idea shouldn’t have been arousing, but with the way he was looking at me, his hands warm and firm against my skin, my body responded before my mind processed it.

I exhaled slowly. “Okay,” I said. “But if you cut me, I’m revoking all blowjob privileges.”

Ryan grinned, his fingers tightening just slightly at my hips. “Deal.”

I smirked, shaking my head. “Alright. But we need to do it in the shower. Otherwise, there’ll be little hairs everywhere.”

His smirk deepened, his hands sliding over my belly one last time before he took my hand. “Shall we, then?”

I let him lead me back toward the bathroom, my pulse already thrumming at the anticipation of his touch.

The tiles felt cool beneath my feet as I stepped inside the shower stall, Ryan following behind me. He reached for the small grooming scissors from the cabinet, his expression turning almost studious as he crouched in front of me.

“Alright, hold still,” he murmured, brushing his hands up my thighs.

I propped a hand against the wall for balance, watching him through heavy-lidded eyes. His fingers, gentle and precise, worked through the unruly curls, snipping carefully, the sensation oddly intimate.

Each careful touch sent a shiver up my spine. My breathing slowed, deepened. Ryan looked up at me, his gaze heated.

“You’re enjoying this,” he murmured, a smirk playing on his lips.

I bit my lip, refusing to answer—but my body told him everything he needed to know.

His fingers brushed against my inner thigh as he adjusted, his breath warm against my skin. “You know,” he said casually, “I could get used to this. Just me, down here, taking care of you.”

I exhaled sharply, my fingers curling against the tile wall. “You’re supposed to be focusing.”

“Oh, I am.” He dragged his fingers lightly across my skin, the sensation making my stomach tighten. “I just like knowing you trust me with something so … delicate.”

I swallowed, my body reacting to the mix of his touch and his words. “You like playing with fire, don’t you?”

Ryan chuckled, his fingers grazing my skin as he tilted his head. “I think I like the challenge. But you’re starting to shake a little. Let’s get you off your feet.”

I sighed, realizing he was right. My legs weren’t as steady as they had been at the start, and the cool tile beneath my feet did little to help. He stood, brushing a lingering kiss over my belly before taking my hand.

“Come on, let’s move this to the bed,” he murmured.

I let him guide me out of the shower, the transition from the chilly floor to the soft carpet grounding me. He grabbed a fresh towel, spreading it out on the bed before helping me ease onto it. The mattress cradled my weight, my body melting against it.

He knelt between my legs, eyes flicking up to mine as his palms slid over my thighs. “Comfortable?”

I nodded, heat blooming under my skin. “Mmmhmm.”

Ryan smirked, running his hands slowly over my calves before reaching for the razor. He grabbed the canister of shaving cream, shaking it before dispensing a small dollop onto his palm. The lather met my skin as he smoothed it along the edge of my freshly trimmed curls, his fingers slow and deliberate, then slid the foam alongside my lips with delicate precision.

His hands were steady, gentle, as he tilted my hips, ensuring he had the best angle. I shivered at the contrast of the cool foam and the warmth of his touch. The soft scrape of the razor followed, gliding over me with exquisite care.

“You’re pretty smooth already,” he murmured, his voice thick with focus. “But I enjoy making sure everything is just right.”

I swallowed, my breath hitching as his knuckles brushed along the sensitive skin of my inner thighs. “You are taking this seriously.”

Ryan chuckled, the sound low and intimate. “Of course. I have a precious job here.”

He continued with slow, deliberate strokes, his free hand splaying against my hip, keeping me steady. Each pass of the razor sent a fresh wave of sensation through me, my body hyper-aware of every movement.

When he reached the delicate folds of my lips, his touch became even more meticulous, his fingers parting me as he worked with quiet concentration. The cool glide of the blade, the faintest pressure of his fingertips against such an intimate place, caused my breath to hitch. A warm flush spread through me as the sensitivity of the moment made my body hum with awareness, a low, involuntary sigh slipping past my lips.

My fingers curled into the sheets, my thighs tensing slightly as he shifted, running his palm along my freshly shaven skin, checking for any stray hairs. The tenderness of his touch, the way his breath warmed me, sent a pulse of heat straight through me.

Ryan exhaled, his thumb grazing my hipbone. “All done.”

He reached for a towel, wiping me dry with slow, deliberate strokes, but paused when he realized I was still slick. His eyes flicked up to mine, curiosity and amusement dancing behind them.

He hesitated for a moment, then let his fingers glide between my folds, his touch purposeful. His smirk deepened as he brushed through the slickness. “Looks like I wasn’t as finished as I thought.”

Heat flooded my face. “It’s just hormones,” I muttered, biting my lip.

Ryan smirked, a finger teasing along the sensitive curve of my inner thigh. “Mmm, maybe. But I think you enjoyed this more than you let on.”

A soft moan escaped me before I could stop it, my body betraying me as I arched toward his touch. My heightened sensitivity made every brush of his fingers feel electric, the tension coiling low in my belly.

His voice dropped to a husky whisper. “Want me to pamper you a little more?”

I let out a slow breath, my thighs parting instinctively beneath his touch. The warmth of his caress teasing along the sensitive skin sent ripples of anticipation through me. My body was already primed, hyper-aware of every movement, every whisper of sensation.

Ryan’s smirk deepened as he traced his fingers through the slick heat pooling between my thighs. He exhaled, the sound full of satisfaction, as he spread me open with gentle, knowing hands. “God, Claire, you’re so ready for me.”

A shiver raced down my spine as he dipped his head, pressing a slow, lingering kiss just above my mound before trailing lower. His breath was hot against my skin, his lips soft but insistent as he teased the edges of my pussy, making me arch in silent demand.

He took his time, savoring every reaction. His tongue flicked lightly over my swollen clit, just enough to make me gasp, before pulling away to press warm, open-mouthed kisses along my inner thighs. The contrast of pleasure and restraint left me trembling beneath him.

“Ryan—” My voice was barely more than a breath, my fingers sinking into his hair, trying to guide him back to where I needed him most.

He chuckled against me, his stubble grazing my skin, adding another layer of sensation. “Patience, baby. Let me enjoy this.”

Then he finally gave me what I wanted, his tongue pressing against my aching clit with just the right amount of pressure, swirling in slow, deliberate circles before sucking gently. My back arched, a deep moan spilling from my lips as pleasure surged through me.

His hands gripped my thighs, holding me open as he worked me with precision, alternating between soft, teasing licks and firm, focused strokes. The pleasure built rapidly, every nerve in my body attuned to his mouth, his fingers, the intoxicating thrill of being completely unraveled by him.

When I thought I couldn’t take any more, he slid a finger inside me, curling it just right, coaxing another moan from my throat. The sensation was almost too much—deep and slow, his touch knowing, practiced. Then another finger joined, stretching me, filling me, moving in rhythm with the relentless pressure of his tongue.

My breath hitched as his other hand slipped lower, a single fingertip grazing over the tight ring of my ass, teasing before pressing in slowly. My slick juices had already coated the entrance, letting him slide in with ease, the wet heat making the intrusion smoother, more intoxicating. A gasp caught in my throat, my body caught between tension and a slow, delicious surrender.

The shock of sensation sent a new wave of heat through me as he slid his finger deeper, the gradual stretch sending pleasure rippling through my core. My body tightened in response before melting into the intrusion, a strangled moan escaping my lips.

“Ryan,” I gasped again, my thighs trembling as I fought to hold on. I felt like I was about to break.

“Shh, just feel it,” he murmured against my skin, his voice thick with arousal. “Let go for me.”

I couldn’t keep myself from it any longer. The pleasure crested, sharp and consuming, my sex quivering around his fingers as waves of ecstasy crashed through me. My nipples tightened into aching peaks, every nerve in my being alive with sensation.

My thighs trembled, my legs shaking as I came apart beneath him. A strangled moan ripped from my throat. My cries filled the room. I arched into his mouth, my hands fisting in the sheets as I rode out the waves of ecstasy.

My body stayed taut for a moment, every muscle quivering, breathless and raw. The aftershocks pulsed through me, leaving me weightless, drifting in the heat of my pleasure.

My breath came in shallow, uneven pants, my limbs heavy and boneless against the bedding. I lay there utterly undone, still trembling as Ryan’s warm breath brushed against my flesh. A soft hum of satisfaction vibrated in my throat as he slowly made his way up my body, his lips leaving a trail of lazy, reverent kisses along my skin.

He pressed a kiss to my navel, then another just below my ribs. His hands smoothed over my waist, soothing and grounding, as his mouth continued its slow ascent. When he reached my breasts, he didn’t hesitate, taking one sensitive nipple between his lips, sucking gently. A startled giggle bubbled out of me at the sudden tug of pleasure.

“Mmm, sensitive?” Ryan murmured, his voice laced with amusement as he flicked his tongue over the taut peak.

I squirmed beneath him, my body still electric from my climax. “You know I am.”

He chuckled, rolling my nipple between his fingers before moving to the other, laving it with the same attention. A gasp hitched in my throat as a faint, involuntary leak of milk touched his tongue. He pulled back slightly, licking his lips before grinning down at me.

“Mmm,” he murmured, licking his lips. “You’re sweet.”

I let out an embarrassed laugh, covering my face with my hands. “Oh my god, Ryan!”

He pried my fingers away, his grin turning softer, more affectionate. “Hey,” he said, nudging my nose with his. “It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. Everything about you is.”

My heart clenched, warmth flooding through me as he settled beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me against him. His palm splayed protectively over my belly, his thumb tracing slow circles over my skin.

“You okay?” he murmured against my temple, his lips brushing the damp strands of my hair.

I sighed, melting into him, completely content. “Perfect.”

A lazy smile tugged at my lips as I nestled into him. “I guess you get to keep your blowjob privileges after all.”

Ryan chuckled, his fingers tightening around me. “Lucky me. Though, to be fair, I think I earned it.”

He tightened his grip slightly, tucking me closer. “I love you.”

I smiled against his chest, pressing a soft kiss there. “I love you too.”

I sighed, my fingers curling around his wrist, holding him close. “Always.”

The last thing I felt before sleep tugged at me was his fingers trailing through my hair, his lips pressing one final, lingering kiss to my forehead. I barely registered the way his fingers traced slow, lazy circles over my belly as sleep claimed me, his voice a quiet murmur in the dark. “You’re everything to me, Claire. Always.”