But he just tipped up her chin and kissed her, short and sweet. “You’re still shivering.” He picked up a remote from a side table and turned on the gas fireplace. “That’ll warm it up in here. How ’bout a shower?”
“Yes, please.” She had her arms wrapped around herself, but it wasn’t helping much. Her teeth had started chattering.
“Come on.”
She followed him into her bedroom and on to the en suite bath.
It was easy between them, natural and uncomplicated, somehow. Not overtly sexy, just effortless and right. Not like when she used to try to date in LA, and it always felt so fake. Like it was all about being seen and admired, a photo op more than a way to get to know someone.
With Sten, it just felt real.
They stripped off everything, leaving it all in a soggy pile near the open door to the bedroom.
Yeah, she felt a little awkward. She was at home in her body, but she’d never been naked like this before, with just a man that she wanted, the two of them. Alone.
He turned on the shower and glanced over his shoulder to find her watching him. How could she help it? He was all hard planes and strong angles, his back layered in lean muscles leading down to an amazing rock-hard butt and powerful legs dusted with dark hair.
She was blushing. She could feel it, her neck and face going hot.
And then he turned to her fully. He was beautiful all over. She tried not to stare at the proof of his desire for her.
“Maddy.” Her name on his lips was like a gentle touch, soothing her nervousness, easing her fears. “Words can’t do you justice.” He held out his hand.
She took it and let him pull her into the shower stall, under the wide rain showerhead so that the wonderful, hot water poured down over them, taking all the chills away. A sense of ease stole through her. She lifted her hands and placed them against his chest, which was as sharply cut as the back of him, with a perfect T of hair across his pectorals, and in a soft trail down the center of him.
He felt so solid, so strong and male. And she was glad, so glad right then.
That she had waited.
That he would be the one.
She tipped up her chin to him and he took her mouth in a light, easy kiss. She felt the tip of him, hard and hot against her belly.
But then he stepped back and reached for the soap.
He bathed her and washed her hair, touching her everywhere, but not lingering, not trying to arouse her, more like soothing her. Pampering her. And getting to know her with his hands.
She returned the favor, chickening out a little over the naughty bits. He smiled when she skated the soap around his erection and then took over for her whenever she seemed shy.
A quick mutual rinse-off and they got out together and dried off. He tucked a towel around his hips. “I’ll put our wet clothes in the washer.”
“Thanks.”
He gathered them up and left her to blow-dry her hair.
Once that was done, she put on her favorite cozy terry cloth robe and went looking for him.
He hadn’t gone far. She found him in the great room sitting by the fire wearing busted-out jeans and a worn T-shirt. He held out his hand and she went to him, pulling his arm across her shoulders, snuggling in good and close.
“Did you go back to your house to get dressed?” Grinning a little, she pictured him running across the deck in the moonlight wearing only a towel.
He pressed his lips into her hair. “Uh-uh. There are some boxes of old clothes stored in the attic here.”
She tipped her head back so she could see his eyes. They were dark blue and endless, sucking her in, making her feel like she wasn’t alone, like her lifecouldbe different. Simpler and richer, both at once—and she just had to ask, “Stay with me tonight?”
He smoothed her hair, guiding it off her shoulders and down her back. “I don’t have condoms with me. But I could go next door and get some.”
Condoms. Such an unromantic, practical consideration. Still, his mention of them made a glow of happiness all through her.
