Chapter 19 #2
Maybe he’d been on to something with his worries about her being sore. She hobbled to the bathroom, where she discovered just how sore she really was and was thankful for Shane’s foresight. She brushed her teeth and limped back to bed, wincing as she sat on the edge of the mattress.
“How bad is it?”
The rough morning scratch of his voice sent a tingle down her spine as she turned to face him. “Not too bad.”
“Are you lying to me, Katie Lawry?”
She pinched her fingers together. “Just a little.”
“Come here.”
Katie moved carefully to comply with his request, scooting across the mattress until she was pressed up against him.
He kissed her forehead and then her lips. “Morning.”
“Morning.”
“Sorry you’re sore.”
“I’m not.”
“Oh no?”
She shook her head. “Best night of my life. Hands down.”
“Really. Well… That’s quite nice to hear.”
It was okay if he didn’t feel the same way. He’d been married after all, and by all accounts had been crazy in love with his wife. Of course he’d had better nights than the one he’d shared with her.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he said, startling her.
“How do you know?”
“Your eyebrows become a straight line when you’re overthinking something.” He traced his finger over them to make his point.
“They do?” No one had ever told her that before, but then again, she’d never let anyone get close enough to notice such quirks.
“Uh-huh.”
“So what wisdom are you gaining from my eyebrows?”
“You’re thinking that I was married, so naturally this was just another night for me, but it wasn’t. It was really important—and special—for me, too. For many reasons, but primarily because I got to spend it with you.”
“And that was the most perfect thing you could’ve said.”
He smiled. “I thought you might like that.” After another kiss, he said, “I really do mean it. I’ve been stuck in a bad place for a long time now, and it’s so nice to feel good again.
The time that we’ve spent together has made me feel very good, which is a huge improvement in a short time, so thanks for that. ”
“Happy to be of assistance.”
Shane checked his watch. “I’ve got some time before I need to be anywhere. How about some breakfast on the porch?”
“That sounds delightful.”
As he helped her to shower while keeping her foot dry, she was astounded by how quickly she’d adjusted to being naked with him. What should’ve been awkward and embarrassing simply wasn’t. It was like an extension of the night before when he’d gone out of his way to ensure her comfort.
She became extremely uncomfortable—in a good way—when he filled his hands with liquid soap that he ran all over her body, making her tingle from head to toe.
“So sensitive,” he said softly, kissing her neck as he cupped her breasts.
Katie’s legs began to tremble as he worked his way down to her belly and below.
“Nice and easy,” he said as he let his fingers slip between her legs.
Katie gasped from the soreness as much as the exquisite knot of desire that overrode the pain.
“I can’t wait to taste you again,” he said. “Tonight, after dinner at your mom’s, I’m going to taste you again.”
“You can’t say that and mention my mother in the same sentence,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Why not?”
“Because!”
His low chuckle echoed off the walls of the shower stall.
When he withdrew his hand from between her legs, she nearly toppled over. His arm came around her waist to hold her steady.
“I want to wash you.”
“Hold on to me.” He rearranged them so he was in front of her, keeping her injured foot outside the shower.
She ran her hands over his bulging biceps. “That was very smooth.”
“We can’t get that foot wet for another couple of days. Wait till you see what we can do then.”
“I can’t wait.” She held out her hand. “Soap, please.”
He filled the palm of her hand with liquid soap that she took great pleasure in spreading all over his muscular body, working her way down slowly until he was nearly panting from waiting for her to get to the erection that hung hard and heavy between his legs.
“I need more soap to finish the job,” she said, giggling at the tortured grimace on his face.
He gave her a refill and then propped a hand on the wall.
Katie loved that he seemed to be bracing himself for her touch, so she decided to make it well worth it. She started again at his shoulders, smoothing her hands over his nipples and rippling abs before she grasped his erection and began to stroke him.
“Shit,” he whispered.
“Is this good?” she asked, fascinated by the velvety soft skin that covered his hard length.
“Harder.” A muscle in his cheek pulsed as he covered her hand with his own and showed her how he liked it.
“That doesn’t hurt?”
“Hurts in the best possible way. Don’t stop.”
Even when the shower in the old hotel began to go cold, Katie didn’t stop. Emboldened by his heavy breathing and the hand he curled around her neck, she used her free hand to cup his balls.
“God… Katie…”
She watched, fascinated, as he came hard. Then he wrapped his arms around her and held her for a long time, until they both began to shiver under the increasingly cold water.
“Best cold shower ever,” he whispered against her ear, making her laugh.