Page 10 of Love Me Forever (Highland Duo #2)

He made no comment. How could he when his mind was being anything but considerate? She had placed a suggestion in his mind that had taken root and insisted on growing. The idea of joining her in the tub was too tempting to ignore, yet ignore it he must.

A cold bath was definitely necessary.

Brianna remained quiet, her own thoughts worrisome.

It had not been difficult having him tend her when she was completely incapacitated, for she could barely think clearly.

And she could not move without pain. Now, though it was different, while the pain persisted, it was a level of pain she could handle, and her mind was clear now and her eyes open.

They would not drift shut while she bathed as they often did when he looked after her.

Now she would see clearly his reaction to her nakedness, and the thought troubled her.

He arranged a large towel on the floor and placed another on a small bench he had brought to rest beside the tub. “It will be ready soon.”

Soon.

Soon he would remove the blankets and take her into his arms. Soon. She trembled, her legs felt weak, and her heart thudded in her chest. She was being foolish, so very foolish. He would place her in the tub and it would be done. The water would cover her, and he would look away from her.

Was that what she wanted?

She silently scolded herself. Whatever was wrong with her? Why was she having intimate thoughts of this man?

She had not thought of a man and intimacy in a very long time.

Her husband had destroyed all her girlhood dreams of love and being loved.

She had closed her heart off to protect herself from the pain of a loveless marriage.

She had sworn to herself that she would not ever care for another man and never would she love again.

“Ready?”

Royce stood over her, his large size intimidating, though she felt no intimidation from him. It was her own insecurities that caused her to tremble.

She nodded, fearful her voice would betray her nervousness.

He hesitated a moment as though having a second thought, then he stepped back away from the bed, slipped the strip of plaid that ran over his shoulder down to hang at his waist, and hurried out of his linen shirt as though he might change his mind.

He approached the bed again, this time the size of him intimidating.

She had seen his chest before but not nearly as clearly as she did now. He was twice the size her husband had been, and his muscles were much more pronounced, almost as if his flesh were carved around the thick muscles.

His chest was broad, his stomach hard, and his arms powerful. He was an opponent most men would fear and a man that women would admire.

“I do not want a wet shirt,” he said, as if he felt it necessary to explain his partial nakedness.

She nodded again and sent a silent prayer to the heavens for strength.

He eased back the blankets. “You may feel a chill.”

She remained silent, not trusting her voice, and kept her eyes on him. She told herself to look away and not watch him. That was not possible; she was compelled to keep her eyes on him.

He eased the blankets off her all the way down to her feet. “You are cold, you tremble.”

She trembled from her nervousness, but this she would not tell him.

He was quick to effortlessly snatch her up into his arms and hold her close to him.

She noticed that his eyes did not linger nor did they avoid her body. He simply did what was necessary. His focus was on his task, and his eyes?

They caught her own glance as he leaned over to place her in the tub. ‘Tell me if the water is a comfortable temperature for you.”

He lowered her toes in and she sighed, a smile following. “It is heavenly.”

He laughed softly and lowered her further into the tub. “I will hold you until you can rest comfortably on your own.”

He wanted no repeat of the early day’s incident. He intended to make certain that she felt no pain, only pure pleasure.

The heated water evaporated her nervousness. It was not lukewarm or unbearably hot, but seemed the perfect temperature for soothing her aches and pains. She sighed again and relaxed against his arm that wrapped firmly around her back.

Her eyes drifted closed for a moment and his glance drifted over her. She possessed a beautiful body, all curves and mounds in just the right places. And pale skin that was blushing pink from the heated water.

He shook his head. It was time to let go of her; her warming flesh was beginning to feel much too pleasing to his touch.

“Do you think you can sit on your own?”

She heard the reluctance in his voice, and she mistakenly thought that he assumed her too weak. Her courage surfaced. “Aye, I can.”

“Sure of it, then?” he teased, hearing the bravado in her voice.

“Let go and we will see,” she challenged.

He accepted, though it was with a slow hand he released her to rest on her own.

It was barely a minute and her smile was wide when the pain in her back began. Her first thought was to ignore it, but she had made that mistake earlier. She would not be foolish enough to repeat it.

Her hand went out to him. “Royce.”

His arm wrapped around her back and beneath her breast, taking her full weight. “What is it?”

“The pain in my lower back worsens when I place pressure on it.”

She sounded upset and he understood. She had hoped to relax in the bath and now she could not. Not without his help. “You can rest against my arm.”

She produced a weak smile. “You will grow tired of holding me.”

“Never,” he said without thinking.

“You are too kind to me. I should wash and get out right away so that I do not burden?—”

His firm voice cut her off. “You are not a burden. You will enjoy your bath.”

“How can I when you must kneel here and hold me? It is not fair.” Her voice was just as firm.

“You will do as I say and enjoy the bath.” He thought his direct remark would end the matter; after all he had warned her about obeying him.

“I will not enjoy the bath if you must remain in such an awkward stance to tend me.”

“I do not mind.”

“I do.”

“There is no other way,” he said adamantly.

“Aye, there is,” she insisted. “You can join me, and I can rest against you.”