She hurried to the half-bath in the hallway, still chastising herself as she washed her hands. When she emerged, Nick was nowhere to be seen. A moment later, she spotted him in the main bathroom, studying himself in the mirror.
With quiet steps, she moved to stand behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “What are you doing?”
“Making a decision.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” He reached into his toiletry bag, slowly pulled out the beard gel, then placed it on the vanity, still looking at himself critically. “I think it might be time.”
Excited butterflies flitted through Jannie’s middle. Was he actually considering …?
As if he read her thoughts, he picked up the razor and unfolded it with calm deliberation. Turning, he took her hand and placed the blade in her palm. She looked at it, then raised questioning eyes to his.
He closed her fingers around the handle. “I want you to do it.”
Her lips parted. “You want me to shave off your beard?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded. “It bothers you; it has to go.”
“It doesn’t bother me,” she lied.
He gave her acome onlook. “I’ve noticed, Jannie.”
Always attentive. Was this man real?
Warmth spread through Jannie’s chest. “OK, but only if that’s what you really want.”
“I really want.” He reached behind him to pull off his T-shirt, exposing that rippled chest that always sparked tingling heat between her thighs.
This time was no different, and she admired the play of his back muscles and broad shoulders as he leaned over the sink. He lathered his face with beard wash, rinsed, then turned the faucet to hot. When the water was steaming, he ran a towel under the stream. Jannie stood there, silently watching, her heart thundering in her chest.
What will he look like? Feel like?She was minutes from finding out and finally getting her mouth on his bare face, and she was here for it. An image flashed before her eyes, of grinding on that face as she sat on it, and she shuddered, giddy with anticipation, watching him settle in the chair in front of the vanity.
Nick handed her the hot towel. “Let’s do this.”
He leaned back, closing his eyes. She marveled at his impossibly thick eyelashes, his dark eyebrows, not too heavy, not too thin, his perfectly proportioned nose, and that mouth …
That mouth she would soon completely uncover.
He opened one eye, peering up at her. “I’m all yours, Jannie.”
She carefully wrapped the hot towel around his face, trying not to dwell on the fact that, too soon, she would have to go back to Orlando. Flying, Vegas, and Nick would then become distant memories, at least for the next six months.
Unwrapping the towel, she leaned over him. He opened his eyes, and she gazed into their dark depths, serene and full of trust. She unscrewed the jar of beard gel and scooped some, amazed at how steady her hands remained despite her quivering insides.
Gently, Jannie began massaging the gel into his beard. The hairs were softer now, but still, she wondered if the gel would be enough. If she cut him, she’d never forgive herself.
She scooped some more. “Shouldn’t we use some sort of shaving cream?”
“Don’t worry. That stuff works better.” She probably looked doubtful, because he smirked. “Come on, Jannie. The sooner you shave it off, the sooner you can sit on my face.”
She couldn’t suppress a little laugh. Of course he’d read her dirty thoughts.
She finished generously applying the gel and picked up the razor. “Ready?”
