“I’ll need help to get into the bath,” she whispered.
His eyes slammed closed, and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “I didn’t think of that. Can’t the maid help you?”
“Not unless she is extraordinarily strong and able to carry me like you do. At home, two maids are required to lower me into my bath,” Esther replied, her eyes wide. “I stood today, but my legs are still shaky. I don’t think I’ll have the strength to lift them in order to climb into the bath. And if I were to fall…”
“Right. Of course, we can’t risk that. I’ll be back soon.” He strode from the room as if chased by dogs.
CHAPTER 10
Hisfortitudewasbeingtested. There was no doubt in his mind. He would have to lower Esther into the bath while she wore nothing more than her shift. Her shift which would turn transparent when wet.
How could he resist that? Especially after that kiss. His lips still tingled, and his blood hummed with desire for her.
He had arranged for transportation quickly enough, and now he lingered in the corridor, waiting for the maid to exit Esther’s room.
When the girl departed, he approached the door and knocked.
“Enter!” Esther called, and he turned the knob and slid into the room.
He thought he had braced for the task, but nothing could have prepared him for the sight of Esther covered by a towel and wearing absolutely nothing underneath.
He swallowed hard. “You are naked under that towel.”
“I couldn’t very well get in the bath wearing my shift. I need it to be dry so I can wear it again.” She pointed toward the fireplace, where presumably the maid had laid out her garments in front of the fire.
“Right, of course. Let’s get you into the bath then, before it gets cold or you catch a chill.”
He removed his sodden coat and placed it by the fire, then rolled up his sleeves as he went to her. Placing his arms under her legs and behind her back, he lifted her. The same way he had done countless times. Except now he was painfully aware of her nakedness. He walked the couple of steps toward the bath and lowered her into the steaming water.
He intended to place her in the bath and turn his back. Leave the room while she bathed. He would not look. No matter how tempted he was, he would not—
She dropped the towel that covered her.
He froze. Unable to stop himself from staring at her beautiful, round, soft breasts. Milky white with rosy-pink areolas. They beckoned him. His hands fisted to prevent themselves from reaching out and molding the pliant mounds.
“Esther,” he croaked, her name a plea. “What are you doing?”
“I can hardly bathe while covered with the towel, can I?” she replied innocently.
He finally tore his gaze from her breasts to meet her eyes. “You are torturing me.” The confession seemed torn out of him.
Her hand came up to cradle his face, brushed back the unruly lock of hair that continually fell over his brow.
“It’s not my intention to torture you. In fact, the opposite is true. Maybe we can find solace together.”
He scrunched his eyes. Her offer was the most generous, tempting, miraculous… and he couldn’t accept it.
He made a last desperate attempt at honor. “I don’t want to take advantage.”
“You are not, Kai. You have done nothing to take advantage. In fact, I am doing the seducing. Although I’m not very good at it. But I’m not an innocent girl with a reputation to protect. I’m a widow of advanced years. We enjoy a lot more freedom. Society wouldn’t raise a brow if I took a lover.”
His hand surrendered to the temptation, skimming softly up her arm, over her shoulder. “Have you ever taken a lover?”
She frowned. “Well, no. I was married before. You would be the first. In fact, you are the only one I would consider because we are friends, and I trust you.” Her gaze lowered in the last word, and she lifted the washcloth to cover her breasts, as if suddenly bashful. “But perhaps I am the one who is taking advantage. Perhaps I misjudged—”
“No.” The single word exploded out of his chest. Nothing could be crueler than to let her think, even for a moment, that he didn’t want her. “Esther, I want you so much I can barely breathe, let alone think.”
She still looked doubtful and embarrassed. Her earlier bravado had deserted her.
