Her own breath caught at the unexpected sound and at the way Kiara's body had responded under her touch.
A strange warmth bloomed low in her stomach, but she pushed it down firmly, telling herself it was only the awkwardness of the situation and nothing more.
Her fingers tightened slightly on the rough fibers as she stared at the graceful line of Kiara's spine, where water still trickled slowly downward.
She recovered after a moment and said quietly, "Alright."
Then she resumed scrubbing, her movements hesitant at first but gradually becoming steadier.
As Scarlett worked higher toward the neck, her eyes caught on something just below the hairline — a small, eye-shaped birthmark resting against the pale, damp skin. It was distinct and almost deliberate in shape.
After a quiet stretch, Scarlett asked, "Are you cursed with something? That mark on your back doesn't look like any ordinary blemish."
