Brokenhearted Beauty(Divine Creek Ranch 19)(51)

Hank took them as far as the police station in Divine, because both men’s trucks were there, and Leah gave him her sincerest thanks for his willingness to drive all the way to Tuspita for her.

He just grinned down at her and shook his head. “The ladies of Divine hold a special place in my heart, sweetie. You just take good care of yourself and don’t worry about it. The smell isn’t so bad anymore.”

She laughed and said, “You sure that’s not because you’re desensitized to it now?”

“I’m sure.”

Standing in the parking lot, Leah, James, and Vincent debated about where they were taking her. She wanted to go home to her apartment. They wanted her to come to their home so they could “take care of her.”

“You could soak in our big whirlpool tub with some of that lavender-scented bath oil. I’ll bet that will make you feel better.”

She tilted her head, wishing they could understand, but she could see in their eyes that they thought she really didn’t want to be around them. Finally, she spelled it out for them. “Guys, I don’t want to foul that beautiful brand-new bed and mattress. Those linens had to cost a fortune. I don’t want to ruin any of it.”

Vincent looked sad. “It’s okay, doll. I realize that I’m still in the doghouse. I just want you to know something.”

“What’s that?”

“I think you’re beautiful, no matter what happened yesterday or today. Even though you don’t feel your best, I think you’re beautiful.”

“Well…thank you.”

“And…and…I think you smell good. Damn. Well, maybe not tonight specifically, I want you to know I love the way you smell. I think it’s sexy. And I think you’re sexy. And even now, you don’t smell all that bad anymore.”

Leah turned to James and said, “Did he hit his head?”

James was shaking with suppressed laughter and slapped Vincent on the back. “No, it seems to me like he just wants you to know you’re special to him.”

Vincent held up a hand and said, “I’ve got an idea. How about this? You stay with us and make use of the tub. Let us fix you a little snack, maybe some fruit or something. And stay in James’s bed with him. The odor is hardly noticeable now and I doubt he cares all that much about the bed. I’ll stay in my room. You can have a night alone with him to make up for me barging in on you the other night. And I’ll make a big breakfast for us in the morning.”

She chewed her lip for a minute, giving his offer consideration. She had an extra business outfit in her suitcase because she always over-packed. That whirlpool tub was also really tempting. “I have to be at the store at eight thirty in the morning. Can we have waffles?”

“Sure thing, fluff,” he replied with a chuckle. “Anything you want.”





Chapter Ten




They brought in her suitcase and she took a shower and scrubbed her hair again while they filled the tub for her and added the scented bath oil to it.

After she wrapped her hair in a towel, Vincent helped her into the slippery tub.

“Are you coming in, too?” she asked as she eased back into the hot water, which felt even more relaxing after her vigorous scrubbing in the shower.

Vincent squatted down beside the edge of the tub, so he was just inches from her. He wet his fingers and then painted her collarbones with them. “No. I’ll watch some television in my room and let the two of you have the rest of the house to yourself.”

She frowned, struggling to put the feeling into words. “I know that shouldn’t bother me but it feels wrong somehow.”

Vincent rested a forearm on the edge of the tub and his green gaze held her captive. “I forced the issue the other night. I didn’t have your permission to be there. Things got a little wild.”

“That part didn’t bother me. You know I enjoyed myself.”

“I’m glad but I’m not proud of the man I was the other night. I’m not interested in keeping score with James with how much time we get alone with you. I just want to bow out for the night and give the two of you the same consideration I was afforded. You could’ve thrown me out on my ear the other night. Then I messed up the gift you gave me when I didn’t take the proper precautions.”

She watched his hand trailing into the water and realized that in the chaos of the day, she hadn’t given it very much thought and she couldn’t honestly summon any negative feelings toward him. Her breath caught in her throat as he slid his fingertips between her breasts. Her nipples tightened to stinging points as his fingers skimmed down her abdomen until he stopped and laid his hand on her abdomen.