When he returned with the water, she was trying, unsuccessfully, to stand. “Drink, Kenna. Then I’ll help ye conquer that last ten feet.” He winked, hoping to ease her discomfort.
She reached for her water and settled back in the chair. “I feel ridiculous. ’Twas such a wee stumble. A few insignificant scrapes. I’m not usually so clumsy, nor so delicate that something this trivial would cause me tae be so helpless.” Frustration tightened her lips. “I just need a good soak, then I’ll be fine.”
“Aye, lass,” he smiled. “I’m sure of it.”
He heard her stubborn independence in every word. Saw it in every gesture. Aye, taming this one would be a lifelong quest. Resentment for the man lucky enough to try, surged through him.
Kenna set her empty glass on the table and nodded toward the bedroom. “Ready? If ye’ll help me through the bedroom, intae the bathroom, I can do the rest.”
When she tried to stand, he swept her up once again, settling her in what he’d begun to think of as ‘her place’. “Are ye okay, lass? I’m no’ hurtin’ ye, am I?”
“I’m fine. But I could have walked with a little help.”
“O’ course ye could,” he laughed, crossing the room in a few strides.
She guided him past a small bed into a tiny, adjoining bathroom. Unsure where to put her he studied the options; edge of the narrow tub or the seat of the privy. The privy looked safer. “Are ye sure ye can get in there?” he nodded at the tub. “And if ye do, how will ye get out?”
Laughing, her face coloring slightly, she raised an eyebrow. “Ye've been amazing, Sean, and I dinnae ken what I’d have done without ye, but ye cannae help me witheverything.”
“Aye,” he agreed, feeling heat on his own cheeks. “No' everything.” Unsure if there was room enough to even turn around, he took a step back.
“Wait.” The pink on her cheeks deepened as she held up her battered hands. “ ’Twould seem I was a wee bit overconfident. I fear I’ll need help with my shoes and my…zipper, after all.”
She held his gaze for several seconds before shrugging. “I’m sorry, but I’ve no one else tae ask.”
Unreasonably pleased to learn that, he tried and failed to suppress a smile as he knelt and removed her shoes, taking care with her tender ankle while fighting the desire to caress the smooth skin. When he looked up at her, with her halo of wild curls, her mysterious green eyes fixed intently on him, he lost the last of the armor protecting his heart.
Irrationally. Irresponsibly. Completely.
And most of all,secretly. He couldnae burden her with his foolishness. She’d made it clear that whatever goal she pursued, dinnae include him.
Besides, if he were truly honest with himself, he’d admit ’twas a blessing, since his logical mind dinnae seem capable of overriding his illogical heart.
Regretting that he couldnae armor his heart as easily as he could his body, Sean tried to steel himself for the intimacy of unzipping her jeans.
’Twas nothing more than helping one of the lads with their plaid, or some such benign task.
But his fingers dinnae tremble when helping any of The 79. Nor did his heartbeat quicken if they leaned close.
“If I stand, would ye mind helping me get my jeans past my knees? I can probably handle things from there.”
Sean dinnae trust his voice but managed to nod his assent before helping Kenna stand. When she braced her forearms against his chest and leaned in for balance, there was naught to do but work the button loose at the top of her jeans, grasp the bit of metal on the zipper and pull.
Breathing into her soft curls, he grasped the fabric at her waist and eased the jeans over her hips. Despite himself, his fingers memorized every curve.
He swallowed the moan that clogged his throat, and tried no’ to look down at her, fearing he’d lose himself if he looked into her eyes. Once he’d gotten the jeans past her hips, he knew he needed to take special care to ease them past her torn knees. He hesitated, unsure how to proceed.
“I’m sorry tae be such a bother,” she muttered, dropping her forehead to his chest. “But I suddenly feel a wee bit fuzzy-headed. Help me back down, please?”
“Lass?” Sean slipped his arms around her and pulled her close. “Let me carry ye tae the bed so ye can rest.”
“I’m fine. Really. I just need to sit a moment. I really want that bath.”
He helped her down, but dinnae let go of her for fear she’d keel over.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. “If ye’ll pull the jeans clear off, I’d appreciate it.”
Clear off?
