Her eyes shoot open, and she stares at me. Surprise covers her expression first, but then it fades to something a little morelike satisfaction. A faint smile tugs at her lips. “Adam?” My name is no more than a whisper on her lips, which are starting to turn more pinkish than blue. “When did you get here?”
“Not long. You feeling a bit warmer?”
She nods as she closes her eyes and breathes in deep.
I turn off the water and kneel next to her on the floor. “Let’s get you standing, okay?”
She pushes her arms through the blanket that’s still wrapped around her and takes my hands. I sigh in relief when her hands feel warm against mine.
She stands, her legs wobbly at first. But then wraps her arms around my waist. Her body is pressed against mine just like I’ve dreamed about. She’s soft and sensual and causes my insides to stir with excitement.
She looks up at me, and I see the same desire swimming in her eyes that I feel consuming me. Her gaze shifts to my mouth, and her lips part slightly. I think she might kiss me, but then she releases me and steps back.
“Thanks,” she says.
I nod, and because I have no clue what else to say, I ask, “You good?”
“I think so.” Her voice is stronger, and the color is returning to her face.
“Okay. The water is hot and should warm you up pretty fast. I need to meet Ricky downstairs, so we can set up some more portable heaters for you until he can get the furnace working.”
She nods as I slip my hands from hers. I instantly miss her skin against mine and want to take them back. I want her lips, cold or not, brushing against my skin again. And more than anything, I want to pull her into my arms and feel her body pressed close to mine with nothing between us.
I shake my head and reach for the door handle. This isn’t the time or place for that. Hell, I shouldn’t be thinking about makinga move on this woman under any circumstances. She’s my client, and I need to keep my hands and my mouth to myself no matter how much I want her.
“Holler if you need anything, okay?” The words tumble out of me all sticky and thick. I feel like a teenager with a one-track mind. I hope I don’t sound like one, too.
Once I’m certain she’s fine, I leave.
It’ll be a miracle ifIsurvive this renovation project. Fifteen minutes in and I already want this woman more than I’ve ever wanted a woman before. It doesn’t help that the look in her eyes suggests she wants me, too.
CHAPTER 8
CAMILLE
Ahot bath is exactly what I need.
My entire body is numb from the cold, and when I first step into the steaming water, pain shoots through me. Thankfully, that pain doesn’t last long. As soon as my body adjusts to the temperature change, I relax. The numbness is pushed away, and I can feel my fingers and toes again.
I relax in the tub until the water surface starts to cool. I don’t know how long I lay there, but it’s long enough that I almost fall asleep again. Last night was not a good night for rest.
The electric heater Adam brought is a godsend. Without it, I might still be soaking in lukewarm water. My bathroom is nice and toasty, and I hate the thought of leaving it to venture down into my freezing home. Slipping out to grab clean clothes feels like stepping out of a sauna and into below zero temperatures. I can’t move fast enough. I grab the first thing I see and run back inside the warm cocoon that is my master bathroom.
Once my hair is dry and I’m fully dressed in a warm sweater and thick scarf, I give myself a once over in the mirror. Thankfully, I match.
It’s time to face the music.
Adam didn’t say anything, but he probably thinks I’m crazy for staying here last night. Not that there was anything I could do about it at three o’clock in the morning. I did the best I could starting that fire and bundling up next to it. I hope he recognizes that and doesn’t give me a hard time.
I really thought I’d be fine. Once the fire was blazing, there was enough heat to keep me comfortable. I expected the chill to wake me when the fire started to die down, but that didn’t happen.
I definitely underestimated how cold it can get without a working furnace. And in the middle of a blizzard, no less.Looks like this southern girl has a lot to learn about Montana winters.But it’s spring. Shouldn’t we be done with snow?
I take one last look at myself in the mirror before I brace myself for leaving the warmth of the bathroom.
Shivering, I make my way downstairs and follow the noise to my kitchen. Every bit of the warmth that surrounded me in the bathroom is gone. My house is an icebox, but it's a welcome sight to find Adam at the stove cooking breakfast.
“Good morning,” I say as I lean against the doorway.
