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“Then I’m doing my job.”

“What job is that?”

“To love you and protect you. No matter what.”

“Your specialty.” She smiles for the first time and I feel it—every face splitting inch of it.

She picks up her fork and works it between her fingers. “Are you going to eat some more? Or are you full?”

She stares at her plate and looks determined. It doesn’t have anything to do with the eggs I don’t think. “I’m going to finish this and then I want you to take me to bed.”

“You must be so tired.”

She shakes her head yes. “I am. But I want to love you first.”

She can do whatever she wants to me if it makes her happy. “I’ll love you all night long, beautiful.” She rests her head back on my shoulder and takes a few more bites of her eggs.

“You saved me again, Kipton.”

“And I’ll never stop.”

“SLEEP WELL?”

I turn my head to the soothing sound of Kipton’s voice. Staring into his crystal blue eyes, I’m thankful to be with him again. He leans over and kisses my lips. The movement causes a draft under the blanket and I shiver. “Com’ere.” I slide over and he spoons me from behind. Instantly, I’m ten degrees warmer. He even covers my feet with his own. “What were you thinking just now?”

“It would probably scare you.”

He squeezes me tighter. “Now you have to tell me.”

“Just how thankful I am for you. I don’t know where I’d be right now if you hadn’t found me.”

“I feel the same way, beautiful.”

He kisses the top of my head and snuggles me closer. “You’re always so warm. What time do we have to leave?”

“There’s no rush. Whenever you’re ready.”

“Okay. I need to take a shower first.”

“Nope.” He pops the p right in my ear and I flinch in surprise.

He’s messing with me, but I’m sure he has an excellent reason. He usually does. “Why not?”

“You can shower, but it has to be with me.”

“Why?”

“It’s my turn to pay the water bill this month. I’m trying to conserve.”

“With you?” I’ve never done that before. It feels so personal; so intimate.

“Yup.” He pops the p again.

I swat at him. My efforts are wasted since he’s behind me and out of reach. “Will you stop that!” I’m laughing and he digs his fingers in my side making me laugh even harder. “Stop! I have to pee!”

“Come on, let’s shower and then I’ll make you some breakfast.”

It sounds like a good deal, but does he expect me to walk naked all the way down the hallway?

He releases me and hops out of bed. Holding out his hand, he waits for me to drop the blanket and expose myself.

“Um. I just need my shirt or one of yours.”

He takes both of my hands in one of his and pulls down the blanket. “Nope. Don’t be nervous around me. I’ve seen you naked in bed. Every gorgeous inch. This is no different.”

“It’s usually darker,” I mumble. He hears me and chuckles.

“Don’t fear the light. Just go with it.”

“If you say so.” Here goes nothing. I scurry down the hallway quickly. He laughs at my urgency.

“After you.” He gestures for me to go into the bathroom ahead of him. I shimmy past, linking my hands behind my back to hide my ass from his view. He swats at me and I yelp in surprise. “Put both of your hands on your head.”

“What? Why?” I’m hesitant, but eventually do it. “Now what?”

Kipton leans against the wall, taking me in from head to toe. I hope he’s enjoying himself because I’m not. A mischievous smile covers his face. “Put your hands on your shoulders.”

I roll my eyes, but listen.

“Now your knees.”

I follow his directions.

“Now on your toes.”

Again, I comply.

“Faster and repeat after me, head, shoulders, knees, and toes.”

“Kipton! You asshole.” He ducks when I toss a loofah at his head. Not that it would do any damage even if it hit him. Seeking justice, I punch him hard on the arm.

“Ouch, no hitting! I was only trying to loosen you up. Now, hop in.”

“You’re bossy today, ya know.”

“Always.”

Once under the warm spray of water, I wait for him to make this experience sexual—for him to touch me. But he does nothing more than shower. I’m okay with it, yet disappointed at the same time. He takes his time washing his body while I work the shampoo through my hair. I follow with conditioner and body wash. He watches, but never touches.

“See, you lived.” He wraps me up in a fluffy blue towel large enough to fit two of me. “Not as hot as the pink towel, but it will do.”

I look down at it and wonder what the difference is. A towel is a towel to me. “Why’s the pink one better?”

“Because the second I saw you wrapped up in it, I knew I had to make you mine. And hell if I didn’t want to see what was underneath it so damn bad.” His eyes drop to my lips, before closing the remaining distance and kissing me softly—once and then again.

“How did you know? We were strangers.”

“Because you carry your emotions in your eyes, Sophie. I could tell you wanted me too.”

“I was scared of you,” I admit.

“Why?” He rubs a towel over his hair, making it stick up in a disheveled mess. He looks hot. Seriously hot. “Sophie?”

“Sorry. Um. What was I saying? “I’ve never felt something instantly just from looking at a guy. Of course I didn’t love you or anything that deep, but the way you looked at me I can’t describe. It made me feel wanted. I’ve never had that happen before.”

“I’ll always want you, beautiful. Now enough of this serious shit. If you don’t stop we’ll never get on the road.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you. When you say those things to me, it makes me want to get you naked.”

He does realize we’re in the bathroom, fresh out of the shower? “I already am.”

“We should put some clothes on.”

He leaves the bathroom in a rush and I hurry to catch up to him. I’m not done with him yet. He’s reaching inside his closet, but I put my hand on his bicep, dragging my nails down his skin. “I don’t want clothes yet, Kipton.”

He groans. “Oh yeah? What do you want?”

I free his towel and drop my own. He wants me to be more comfortable, so I’ll show him exactly what I want. “Touch me he-”

There’s a hand on my knee, shaking me slightly. “Hmm?” I murmur. I’m just getting to the good part.

“Wake up, sleepy head. We’re almost here.”

Blinking slowly, I look around. The houses are huge, all with perfectly manicured lawns. Even the bushes are fancy. “It was just getting good.”

“What was?” He asks, while keeping his eyes on the road.

“My dream.”

“Tell me about it. You were making some adorable noises.”

I cover my mouth in surprise. “No, I wasn’t!”

“You were. What was happening?”

“Well, we showered together.”

He smiles. “I like this dream already.”

“And we were just about to do things in your room.”

“What kind of things?” Interested in the details, he turns the radio off.

“Sexual.”

“I would hope. Tell me one.”

“Well, we were naked in your room and I was begging you to touch me.”

“I’d never make you beg, unless you wanted to. But where did you want me to touch you?”

“You know where.” My cheeks flush with unspoken sexual desire.

“Where, Sophie?” He inches his hand between my thighs, forcing me to part my legs ever so slightly. “Here?” He moves a few more inches. “Or maybe here?”