He was right. Claudia had never washed anyone before. There had never been a need to in the lifestyle she had been leading. James had never demanded any such thing, and she was completely new to such procedures. Before she had time to answer Naba's questions, however, he had taken her hand in his, guiding her back to the basket, then to his chest.

Claudia gripped the washcloth tightly and began to wash him. The strokes went to his chest, moved down, then started over again. It wasn't very efficient, and neither was it done with any ease, but Claudia was far from easy - in fact, much the opposite. Her movements were not as firm as his, but they were much gentler. After a while, when she had not yet been admonished, she grew a little bolder and started washing other areas as well. First were the shoulders, then sides, and lastly, his waist. She could not help noticing Naba's lean muscles along the way, and several times, a rosy blush appeared in her cheeks. She then hesitated, glancing at him, since the pattern she had followed called for her to move lower still.