A shiver of possibility tingled through her. “What about Joshua?”
“The kid’s asleep behind that curtain. Exhausted. Out for the count.” He grazed his mouth over her ear, hot breath and even hotter proposition flowing. “We can leave the bathroom door open to listen for him.”
He dispelled concerns with a few sensible words. Sounded perfect. His hands along the back of her neck felt even better than perfect, and exactly what she needed after the hell they’d endured together. Why wasn’t she pitching off her clothes and racing for the tub?
Because she was finally feeling safe enough to think about the future. “Are you suggesting we pick up where we left off in the supply closet?”
“Whatever does or doesn’t happen in there will be different than the first time. Right now is about us making decisions rather than just reacting.” His forehead fell to rest on hers for two deep exhales before he continued, “I’m suggesting that I wash your hair, since you mentioned wanting it cleaned three times over.”
Her eyes drifted closed as she savored the gentle pressure soothing away a headache she hadn’t even realized was there. “You sure do know how to make a pitch.”
“So what’ll it be?”
She snuggled closer, hugging him low around his waist. “Orange sage and your magic fingers.”
“And just so you know, this will be different than that time in the storage closet.” He backed her into the retro pink washroom.
“How so?” She chewed her bottom lip as his next step danced her farther, the heat of his hard thigh pressing between her legs.
“This time will be slower.”
Goose bumps prickled along her skin. “And?”
“It’s not going to be as easy for you to make a speedy exit afterward.”
His hands on her hips, he backed her the rest of the way. Her bare feet padded along the raspberry tile until her calves bumped against the old-fashioned claw tub. Moonlight streamed through the skylight in a romantic rosy glow.
Her chin tipped. “I hear you, and I don’t have plans to go anywhere. Rather, I wouldn’t go anywhere even if I wasn’t completely dependent on Jocelyn’s hospitality right now.”
He dipped his head and she waited, anticipated his kiss, only to have his words caress her ear again. “Do you want me to help you undress?”
“I think I’ll take care of my clothes.”
“By all means, take your time. I’m not in any hurry.” He leaned against the sink, crossing his feet at the ankles.
Grabbing the edge of her shirt, she tugged up, inch by inch. His heated gaze warmed her bared flesh.
Grinning, she toed off her shoes one at a time. He folded his arms over his chest, seemingly a disinterested observer. Except she could see how thickly, how obviously aroused he was. So much so, he would have to ditch his own clothes soon.
She shimmied off the pants and stood in just the white cotton underwear and bra. And how ironic that the passion she saw in his eyes far surpassed anything she’d seen with her husband, even when she’d spent a fortune at the lingerie store.
Argh! She cut that train of thought off short. Right now she didn’t want to think about her ex-husband. The past needed to stay there for the moment.
She yanked off the bra and scraped down the panties, kicking them all into a heap. Hugh raised an eyebrow at her abruptness. She stepped into the old-fashioned tub, the spray from the low-set shower hitting her. Her stomach muscles contracted at the luxurious spray of water.
“It’s warmer than I expected,” she said, her ni**les beading from the bliss. “Lukewarm, sure, but it’s water, water, water, and more water…” She tipped her head back and let the stream hit her on the face.
“Your bandage is getting wet,” he cautioned.
“Then you’ll just have change it for me afterward.” She glanced sideways at him, rivulets trickling down her neck. “Now hurry up and undress so you can warm me.”
“Ooh-rah.”
“Ooh-rah?”
“Military talk for oh yeah.”
Muscles rippling, he tugged his borrowed T-shirt over his head. It was such an everyday thing, taking off a shirt, but this was Hugh, bronzed and defined, with a tattoo across his left pec, some kind of musical scroll that made her curious.