“I think this little tidbit might have come from Simon.”
Suddenly, the tension drained out of her, and she sagged against the cushions. “Oh, okay then.”
“Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be back in a minute.”
…
Dani watched until he disappeared out the door. She should get up and go, but instead she lay on the scarlet leather sofa in the center of the huge, luxuriously decorated living room. It was a beautiful room, with white walls and splashes of bold color. No doubt, her hair was clashing horribly with the sofa.
She rubbed at her thigh. There was a dull ache in the limb, but she didn’t think she’d done any real damage. At least, she hoped she hadn’t. She’d been pushing herself, farther and faster each day. She was getting stronger and didn’t need any setbacks right now.
Outside the glass doors, Angel sat patiently on the terrace. He wagged his tail when he saw her watching. She gave a flick of her hand to wave him off—he was supposed to be working, and he trotted away.
She settled back against the soft cushions, and her gaze drifted down to her breasts. Did Zach really think they were beautiful? She’d always thought of them as…well, just breasts. Maybe a little too big, but not abnormal in any way. She hitched up the top, but like she’d told him—she was adequately covered.
She’d drink her coffee and then hobble home. That’s it. No problem…
The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted into the room as the door opened. Zach carried a tray, which he placed on the table beside the sofa. Then he sank down beside her. Way too close for comfort. His long thigh touched hers and she tried to inch away, but there was no room. Besides, there was an amused glitter in his eyes and she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of showing how uncomfortable he made her feel. Though maybe “uncomfortable” wasn’t the right word.
“Come on, sit up.” He put his hands under her armpits and pulled her up so she was sitting with her back against the cushions at the side of the sofa.
“I’m not a child.”
His gaze ran down over her body, lingering on her breasts—again—and this time, she resisted the urge to squirm. “Believe me, I know that, honey.”
“Don’t call me…” She trailed off. What was the point? “Coffee,” she prompted.
His lips quirked, but he reached across, his arm brushing the side of her breast. He poured a mug of steaming coffee, added cream and sugar, and handed it to her. As she breathed in the rich scent, the rest of the tension drained away. The pain was seeping away as well, and for a moment, she felt at peace. Ignoring the man beside her, she closed her eyes and sipped her drink.
She didn’t open her eyes even when the mug was empty, and he took it from her fingers. She felt suspended in time.
“How’s the leg?” he asked, interrupting her pleasant interlude.
“Fine.”
“Why don’t you swim?”
“Swim?”
“You know, in the pool, to exercise your leg.”
“My physio did recommend it but…” She shrugged. “I’m not a guest here, and I didn’t want to intrude.”
“You won’t. It’s a big pool.”
His hard hand came down on her thigh, and she nearly jumped. She forced herself to relax and not move as he rubbed over the tight muscles.
The touch was gentle at first. And felt so good, her lids drifted closed. How long had it been since someone, other than a doctor or therapist, had actually touched her? And this was purely medicinal after all. She had an idea she was deluding herself, but all the same she settled back into the cushions. His strong fingers kneaded the tense muscle, and she swallowed the groan.
“Does that hurt?”
“No.”
She hardly noticed when the nature of his touch changed. Instead of massaging, his fingers stroked. First over the top of her thigh, then up the inner seam of her sweatpants from her knee to…she held her breath…nowhere near enough.
What the hell was she thinking? But she couldn’t move. A warm, heavy weight was building low down in her belly. He trailed his fingertips over her hip until they reached the bare skin between her pants and her top. She tingled everywhere he touched. A finger dipped into her belly button, and she felt the touch between her thighs, warm liquid heat flooding her.
One hand cupped her breast. He paused, but when she didn’t react, he ran the pad of his thumb over the nipple then pinched it between his finger and thumb. A jolt ran through her from her breast to her groin. Her back arched, and her lashes fluttered open. His face was close, so close she could see the golden stubble shadowing his cheeks and jaw. He was going to kiss her, and she didn’t dare move. In case he did, or in case he didn’t. She wasn’t sure.