Gabe stood under the shower for long minutes, hands braced against the tiled walls while the hot spray cascaded over his head and shoulders.

He finally reached down and twisted a lever. The sluice of water abated, silence replacing the noisy splash. Warm drops dripped from his wet hair and rolled down his naked skin. He caught sight of himself in the floor-length mirror as he turned and reached for the bath towel.

Gabe stilled, startled. He barely recognized himself.

His cheeks were flushed, his lips swollen from Cam’s kisses, his eyes dark with desire and tension. Gabe shivered and dragged his gaze from the sultry stranger in the reflection. He glanced around the steamy, luxurious bathroom once more, not quite believing he’d come here with Cam.

They’d left Saron forty minutes ago, escaping the club under Ethan’s watchful gaze. Gabe had flashed an apologetic smile at the bartender as Cam led him toward the exit. Ethan had dipped his chin in silent acknowledgment, his expression still wary.

Gabe had blinked when they’d walked out of the alley and emerged onto the noisy Shinjuku strip, the night air cooling his hot cheeks. Cam’s fingers had remained firmly clasped around his since the moment they’d left the club restroom, making Gabe wonder whether he’d sensed his sudden nervousness and his renewed urge to bolt.

Getting a hand job from Cam was one thing. Going to bed with the man who had just given him the most perfect orgasm he had ever experienced in his entire life was a completely different ballgame.

Cam had hailed a cab, guided Gabe onto the backseat, and climbed in before he could succumb to the small voice telling him to run. Cam had given the driver an address in flawless Japanese before turning to Gabe.

Gabe had hesitated and was about to speak when Cam scooted across the space separating them and took his lips, his gray eyes blazing with heat and his arousal digging into the side of Gabe’s thigh.

Gabe had gasped, stunned by the bold move. He’d glanced sideways and caught the driver’s shocked stare in the rearview mirror. A thrill of excitement had run through Gabe when he imagined the sexy, filthy picture he and Cam no doubt made as they kissed in the backseat.

Gabe had opened his mouth and welcomed the man wanting in, his tongue rising to meet the one invading his body. Heat pulsed through him as he closed his eyes and surrendered to pleasure, all thoughts of their avid onlooker fleeing his mind. Cam had groaned at his blatant surrender, his hot pants mingling with Gabe’s while he raised his hands and clasped the sides of his head, his fingers twisting in Gabe’s hair and angling his head to better plunder his mouth.

By the time the cab had pulled to a stop outside the brightly-lit hotel on the hill overlooking the city, Gabe could barely recall his own name.

Cam Sorvino was a world-class tease and had applied himself most splendidly during their ten-minute ride, fingers touching Gabe everywhere except where he most wanted to be touched, his lips and tongue ravaging Gabe’s and bringing on a rock-hard erection.

Gabe had sobered slightly after they’d entered the hotel foyer. He’d waited by a marble pillar while Cam walked over to reception and booked a room, his gaze fixed on the opulent decor as he carefully avoided eye contact with the man behind the desk, hoping he wouldn’t be recognized.

His concerns had been blown out of the water in the elevator ride to the twelfth floor. Cam had pressed him against the mirrored wall, his powerful leg nestled between his thighs, his tongue fucking his mouth while he rolled his hips against Gabe’s arousal. By the time they’d entered the suite, Gabe had been so hard he knew all it would take was a simple flick of Cam’s fingers on his engorged flesh for him to come.

Cam had poured him a drink from the minibar before heading for the shower, a wickedly filthy smile curving his lips as his gaze dropped to Gabe’s erection.

“Don’t start without me,” he ordered thickly.

Gabe nodded wordlessly, the first tendril of anxiety penetrating his dazed brain.

Cam’s gray eyes narrowed as he paused in the doorway to the bathroom. “And don’t you dare run.”

Gabe stiffened at his warning. He raised his chin challengingly. “I won’t.”

Cam dipped his head and grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Gabe took his scotch to the glass wall spanning the width of the suite and stared out into the night while he drank the amber liquid. Even at this hour, lights sparkled all over Tokyo, painting the city in a dazzling colorful display that would only fade with the arrival of dawn.

He pressed a hand to the glass and dropped his head against the cool surface, willing away the fear licking at his feet. The faint sound of the shower and the king-size bed dominating the room served as stark reminders of what was to come.

You can do this.

Gabe had always known this would be the most difficult step. His therapist’s warning from his last counseling session rang in his ears once more.

“You will never be able to sleep with another man if you can’t get past your trust issues, Gabe. I know this sounds awful, but you will have to put yourself in a vulnerable position again when that time comes. You will be naked, powerless, and totally helpless in the hands of your lover. And you will have to trust him. Trust that he won’t hurt you.”

Gabe gritted his teeth and fought to control the panic threatening to overwhelm him.

Though he was surprised at how easy it had been to let Cam touch him, sex was an entirely different matter.

The bathroom door opened behind him. Gabe’s mouth went dry as he watched Cam walk out in a billow of steam in the reflection in the glass. He swallowed and turned slowly.

Cam’s body was all corded muscles and sinews, his tan skin toned to perfection. A trail of dark hair tapered from his chest and arrowed down his six-pack and navel before disappearing beneath the white towel hanging precariously around his hips and powerful thighs. His hair was slick with moisture and his gray gaze hooded as it landed on Gabe.

Cam crossed the floor, his steps silent on the carpet, and took the glass from Gabe’s suddenly weak hand. He swallowed a mouthful of scotch before brushing his lips across Gabe’s.

“Your turn,” Cam whispered in Gabe’s ear.

His low chuckle followed Gabe as he practically bolted for the bathroom.

Sexy bastard.