She nods. “But all I’m capable of is a shower,” she warns me. “My legs feel like noodles and I’m exhausted.
I raise one hand. “No funny business. Promise.”
“Don’t you mean sexy business?” she asks.
I grasp her hand and lead her to the bathroom. I pull out two fluffy towels and drape them over the counter. My mother bought them for me when I moved in because I’d have picked up one for myself and not worried about anything else. I turn on the hot water and we step under the spray.
Keeping my promise and my hands off her isn’t easy, but I manage, watching as she uses my soap, massages shampoo into her scalp, and rinses. Luckily, I have conditioner even if I don’t use it—again, thanks to Mom, who helped stock this place. We wash ourselves, ignoring the sexual tension and my renewed erection, thanks to the fact that she’s naked, gorgeous, and she’s going to smell like me, which is a huge turn-on.
Once we’re clean and dry, I walk naked into the bedroom and collect a pair of boxer briefs for me and an old T-shirt of mine for Rainey. I leave her to get the dampness out of her hair withthe small blow-dryer I have, and a few minutes later, she walks into my room. She’s petite in height and blessed with gorgeous curves, and my shirt hangs to her knees.
At the sight of her in my clothing, a possessive growl rises from my throat. “Get in here.” I flip over the comforter on her side of the bed.
She presses a knee to the mattress and climbs in beside me. Unable to help myself, I hook an arm around her and pull her to me for a long kiss. “No funny stuff,” I say against her lips. “I just needed to taste you again.”
She sighs and curls into me, her still slightly damp hair on my shoulder. The silence is peaceful and I close my eyes, too aware of how right Rainey feels here, in my apartment, snuggled against me in my bed. What we have isn’t just sex. It’s a connection I’ve never experienced before. One I don’t want to lose.
I tangle my hands in her hair and she lets out a soft little moan. As I play with the long strands, I wonder if I have to… lose her. She doesn’t want us to be a public couple now and I can respect that. I have respected that. But she thinks things will end after we’re finished with her Miami Thunder anniversary project. Again, why does it have to end? Jack is the biggest obstacle, but would he really begrudge me finding love even if it is with his sister?
Love.
I love Rainey and I can’t tell her. It’s the last thing she would want to hear right now. But later? Once Jack comes home? I want to take the risk and tell him I have feelings for his sister.
As she lies in my arms, I decide that’s exactly what I’m going to do. I fought my way to being a good guy.
I’m going to fight for her.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Rainey
Iwake upsurrounded by heat. My body is a furnace, and I open my eyes to find I’m pressed against Lucas’s hard chest, his arms wrapped around me. I breathe in his spicy masculine scent and suddenly, I don’t mind the heat.
“Morning,” he says.
I break our connection and push myself off him so I can meet his gaze. “Morning.”
“Sleep well?” he asks me.
Better than I normally do alone. But I don’t say that. “Very. How about you?”
“Amazingly well.”
He stretches and I take in his bare chest, the stretch of his muscles, and the morning scruff on his face. He’s so handsome, especially this relaxed and with his guard down.
“And the gala? Did you have fun?” he asks.
I don’t need to think. “Kaylee did an amazing job. It will set her up as someone to be respected in the business.”
“Like the Thunder will do for you.”
I smile. “That’s the hope. I had a nice time but…”
“What?”
“I wished we weren’t forced to pretend we’re just friends or acquaintances,” I admit, placing a hand on his warm chest.
He nods. “I felt the same way.”
