Chapter 4 #2
“I’m glad you didn’t. The paperwork would have been a bitch,” I tease.
Not to mention the loss to humanity without this incredibly sexy creature.
I mean, holy fuck, she’s smoking hot. Like off-the-charts perfection.
Even her skin tone is delectable. Unless she has an amazingly expensive spray tan, her coloring is genetic, and I’m betting it’s the latter.
Her entire body is the same shade, which means she never goes in the sun or she uses an abundance of sunscreen.
There are no bikini lines on her hips or shoulders.
Nor are there light-colored triangles around her tits.
“You’re staring,” she whispers, keeping her voice low.
“I’m sorry. It’s hard not to. You’re stunning.”
She smirks. “If only people thought what was in my head mattered more than my sex appeal.”
My breath hitches. “Princess, I’m certain what’s in your head matters more.”
She opens one eye and then closes it again. “Whatever.”
I hate that she doesn’t believe me. I hate that someone has filled her head with shit, making her jaded. In fact, she’s so jaded that she left New York to live a polar-opposite existence.
I find it hard to believe she will stay. In fact, I bet she’s plotting how to get off the mountain and go home now that her life is no longer in imminent danger.
Without asking, I pick up the shampoo and pour some into my palm.
It’s also cherry-berry scented. I’m sure it’s not the sort of thing Blair is used to using.
She probably owns shampoo and conditioner that cost a hundred dollars a bottle.
But the only options she has in my bathroom today are the masculine scent of pine in my shower or the gentle child variety in the tub.
“Tip your head back, princess. I’ll wash your hair.”
She glances at me and sighs. “I guess there’s no sense in hiding my tits. You’ve already seen them.”
“I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable, Blair. It seems like you don’t have the energy to lift your arms. On top of that, you’re so unsteady that I’m afraid to leave the room. You might drown.”
She doesn’t argue. She simply sits up and leans her head back. Her nipples are tight points that make my mouth water. I’d love to wrap my lips around them. That’s unlikely to happen, but it would be nice. Better than nice.
“That feels so good,” she says, her voice almost a moan, making my dick jump to full attention. “If this is how you take care of your guests, I might move in.”
I hesitate. If Blair Snyder wants to move into my cabin, I’ll clear out the drawers right now.
She can have all of them for all I care.
And I’m not just thinking this because she’s the sexiest fucking woman I’ve ever seen.
She’s also strong-willed, stubborn, and feisty. She’s no pushover. I like it.
“Can’t say I’ve ever washed a woman’s hair before, unless you count my nieces’. It takes about five seconds to wash their hair. Eve’s is fine and blond like her mama. Lizzie’s is red, like her mama. The other three are so young they don’t even have enough hair to wash yet.”
“I bet they’re adorable.”
“They are. Stinkin’ cute.”
“And you don’t have any nephews?”
“Nope. Not yet.” I don’t tell Blair that everyone is joking that I will have six sons.
I use the pink princess cup to rinse the suds from Blair’s hair and then switch to conditioner. “I’m sure you’re not used to using such cheap products. Your hair is probably wondering, ‘What the hell?’”
Blair sighs long and hard. “Don’t really care.”
I have a million questions, but I’m holding my tongue for now. “When did you last eat, princess?”
“I had a granola bar this morning.”
“Shit. You must be hungry.”
“I’m so exhausted that I might be too tired to eat. Do you have a guest room? Would it be okay if I stayed here tonight? I promise I’ll get out of your hair as soon as the sun comes up.” She lifts her head as I finish with the conditioner and meets my gaze.
Now that most of the makeup has washed off her face, she looks different. Innocent. Sweet.
She swallows. “I’m sorry for being such a stubborn bitch earlier. You were right. I was wrong. I’m in way over my head. I really appreciate your help.”
I lift her chin with two fingers. “Blair, no need to be sorry. And you weren’t a bitch. Stubborn, yes, but mostly just ignorant about your expectations for that house. It could have happened to anyone.”
Blair glances at her hands before sliding off her rings. She hands them to me and then removes the rest of her jewelry to add to my palm.
I set it all on the vanity, hand her a loofah, and point toward the cherry-berry body wash. It’s literally for toddlers. Gentle on the skin. “I assume I’ve reached the limit on how much of your body you want me to handle.” I smile, hoping my teasing isn’t an insult.
She hesitates before taking the items from me.
I stand. “You seem more lucid now that your core temperature is coming up. Will you be okay if I step out of the room for a few minutes so you can finish?”
She nods. However, when I reach the door, she speaks, “For the record, I would have let you wash my entire body, Adrian.”
I swallow hard and continue out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind me.
Holy fuck. Did she just say that? Her voice was odd, kind of sad. She has skeletons in her closet. I find myself wanting to drag them all out and trample all over them. She needs rescuing from an unknown foe or several foes. It’s none of my business. So why the hell do I care?
I don’t know, but I want to be the man to save her, even if it’s from herself.