“I’ll clean it up now, unless you need me to get you something.”
A frown darkened his face, then a sly smile took its place. “I would like to get more comfortable for the night. Can you help me with that?”
“Help you upstairs? Sure.”Couldshe get him up the stairs? He towered over her.
“No, I think I’ll sleep down here tonight. Hopefully, by tomorrow the swelling will have gone down, and I’ll be able to move the leg a bit more. I don’t want to take any chances trying to get up there tonight.”
“Will the couch be comfortable for you?”
“Yeah, if I can get out of these clothes.”
His boots had been removed several hours ago, but he still wore his work shirt and pants. Not exactly sportswear.
“I can run up and get you some pajamas.”
His chuckle was deep. “Do you ever remember me wearing pajamas, pixie?”
Heat rushed to her cheeks. If her memory was correct, he rarely wore anything to bed.
“Help me take off the pants. I’m pretty sure I can do the shirt, but the leg’s a bit touchy right now.”
Sitting up, he unbuttoned his shirt and shrugged it off, then undid his belt buckle.
“I’ll slide the waist off. If you tug from the bottom, I won’t have to move too much.”
Sure. She’d just help him take his pants off. Why was the room a million degrees all of a sudden?
“You won’t hurt me, Chel, but I can’t do it on my own without bending my leg.”
Gently, she pulled on the hem of his pants until they slid off. Keeping her eyes on the fabric, she folded and placed them on the chair, then picked up his shirt and did the same thing. Anything to keep from staring at him in his underwear.
“Okay, I’m going to clean up the kitchen now. I made a huge mess.” She had, though it wasn’t the real reason she hurried out of the room. Theo, in nothing but a pair of boxer briefs, was bringing back too many memories. Ones she couldn’t do anything about at the moment.
The kitchen was cleaned far too quickly, and she took her time heading back into the living room. Thankfully, Theo had draped a quilt over his legs, but not his gorgeous torso.
“How about a movie or show? It’s still early.”
Looking around, she grabbed the remote and flicked on the tv. Handing the device to Theo, she moved toward one of the chairs.
“Nope, I need you over here.”
Tilting her head, she said, “There isn’t any room on the couch. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“It’ll hurt more if you aren’t next to me. Bring that ottoman over, and I can put my leg on it.”
Doing as he asked, she helped lift his injured leg onto the cushioned stool. The quilt slipped off his lap. His long legs were toned and sprinkled with hair. She remembered how they felt when they mingled with hers in bed.
“Get comfortable, too, Chelsea, then join me. I’ll try and find something good to watch.”
Putting her pajamas on wasn’t going to be comfortable, not since she’d only brought a loose pair of shorts and a tank top. Even so, she trotted up the stairs, brushed her teeth and got ready. Borrowing his comb, she brushed out her hair, then chastised herself for her vanity. Theo was hurt. It wasn’t the time to seduce him. Assuming she even knew how.
The tv was on a sitcom, and Theo had tossed the quilt over his lap. His bare feet rested on the ottoman. When she drifted into the room, he patted the seat beside him in invitation.
As she came to rest a few feet from him, he coiled his arm around her waist and pulled until she was flush against his muscled chest.
“I like you here. Hope that’s okay.” His mischievous grin warmed her inside and out.
“Of course. Whatever makes you happy.”
