She eased to one side, wincing when he muttered in his sleep. Stealthily, she moved an inch at a time until she could free herself and slide from the bed. After using the bathroom and freshening up, she pondered the possibility of a hot shower. The lure was impossible to resist. A thick terry-cloth robe hung on the back of the door, so she dropped it on the floor in arms’ reach and turned on the water.
Soon, steam filled the roomy enclosure. Clearly, Gil had spent money on modernization at some point. Bailey applauded his choice. The bold turquoise and amber tiles reminded her of Spain’s artistic influence in Texas architecture.
The water was hot and reviving, chasing the chill from her bones. She didn’t bother with her hair, keeping it mostly dry. Though Gil had invited her to spend the night, she was already feeling anxious about “the morning after.” Perhaps it would be better to say farewell and head on home very soon. Things that seemed perfectly natural and normal under the hypnotic effects of moonlight could develop into awkward realities in the cold light of day. She didn’t want to spoil a perfect memory with an uncomfortable goodbye that left her feeling empty and lonelier than when she started.
Suddenly, the frosted-glass shower door opened and Gil’s big body appeared in the opening. “Room for one more?”
Nine
Gil caught the play of emotions that skittered across his lover’s face. Surprised pleasure. Shy embarrassment. Wary uncertainty.
She nodded. “Of course.”
There was no of course about any of this. He and Bailey were breaking new ground, and he sensed that she had gotten cold feet in more ways than one. Giving her a moment to adjust to his presence, he took the soap and turned his back as he washed himself. His sex was hard and ready, but he wouldn’t rush her. This was too important.
When he felt two hands on his back, rubbing his soap-slicked skin, he closed his eyes and smiled. “That feels good,” he groaned, resting his head against the wall, feeling the hot, stinging spray pound his skin.
Bailey’s arms encircled his waist from behind. He sucked in a sharp breath when he felt the press of her soft breasts on his back. “I was thinking about going home now,” she said.
Gil jerked in shock and spun to face her, nearly depositing both of them on the slippery floor. He grabbed her upper arms to steady her. “What the hell are you talking about?”
Her eyes were huge. She shrugged helplessly. “You have employees and obligations. Tomorrow morning things will be different.”
“Different, how?” His temper simmered.
“You know...weird.”
He ran a finger down her nose and shook his head with a sigh. “Why do women have to be so complicated?” He turned off the water and pulled her into his arms, deliberately pressing his erection against the notch where her legs met.
“Life is complicated. I’m pretty simple.”
He felt her shiver. “As much as I’d like to debate that last point, I think I need to warm you up. Put on my robe and I’ll build a fire.”
As they both dried off, he tried not to look at her, but it was like telling sailors not to gaze at sirens on the rocks. His gaze tracked her every graceful movement. The moment when she shrouded her nude form in his enveloping robe was a major disappointment.
The fireplace in his bedroom was original to the house and, like the other three scattered throughout his home, cost a fortune to insure. He rarely took the time to use this one, because many nights he was late coming to bed.
Now, though, he was glad of the ambience.
In his peripheral vision he was aware of Bailey climbing back into bed and huddling under the covers. In addition to growing up on a ranch, Gil had been a Boy Scout, so he soon had a roaring blaze that popped and crackled and began to fill the room with cozy warmth.
He rose from a squatting position and found her watching him, unmistakable arousal in her eyes. Her lips parted. Her breath came quickly. Men were rarely as modest as women, so it gave him not a second’s pause to stride toward the bed, naked and determined. She couldn’t hide what she was feeling. Not now.
When he scooted in beside her, she squawked as his cold feet made contact with her legs. He dragged her close, spooning her and kissing the nape of her neck. “I’m not letting you leave, Bailey. So get that out of your head. If you’re worried about waking up tomorrow morning, perhaps I’ll keep you up all night so it won’t be an issue.” He shuddered as he thought of the possibilities. “I don’t have a problem with that.”
She laughed softly, wriggling onto her side so she could face him. “You don’t lack confidence, do you?” Reaching out, she ran her thumb over his bottom lip. Which seemed to Gil like an open invitation to nibble the tip of her finger. He sucked it into his mouth and felt the pull in his groin.