There had to be a reasonable explanation for this young woman’s
presence. He had gestured to the house like he wanted her to come in, even knowing Rachel was there. He was not trying to keep this woman and her baby a secret from Rachel. She wanted to kick herself remembering that he was the one she trusted. She had no reason, and he had given her no reason to distrust him.
Her problem was with the women who threw themselves at him in the club. In the club. This woman wasn’t throwing herself at him. She also didn’t seem like the barfly type. Maybe she was—
She leaned against the tile and allowed the spray from the showerhead to run over her hair. She put her head on her forearm and tried to calm her breathing, feeling foolish for thinking this could possibly work out between them. She should have known it would be too complicated. She should have known she’d find all this out after her heart was completely open to him.
She should have known something this magical, this fantastical couldn’t be real. Her breath hitched in her throat, and she jammed her lips shut, trying unsuccessfully to contain the small sob that shook her whole body before they heard her.
Eli’s warm hand on her shoulder made her shriek and practically jump out of her skin. She looked up at him through overflowing eyes, waiting for him to lower the boom. His head tilted in concern at her obviously upset state, and then he smiled at her compassionately. “Rachel? I’m sorry I scared you. My little sister is here. She drove in from Abilene with my new nephew. I want you to meet them. I should have brought her right in, but I was surprised by their arrival. Breathe, baby, are you all right?” he asked, looking into her eyes with concern.
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Heather Rainier
She put her hands to her face, feeling like an utter dumbass. “I’m so stupid. I need to work on my trust and jealousy issues. I’m such an ass, Eli.
I’m—”
He smiled softly at her and leaned forward to kiss her shoulder. “So beautiful, naked and wet in my shower? Sexy and dripping like a marooned mermaid? Yeah, you are all that, but stupid or an ass? No, I don’t think so.
Her husband shipped out for Afghanistan two weeks ago, and she’s missing him and having cabin fever. I can’t believe she drove all the way here by herself with the baby. Why don’t you finish up and come meet Kelly and Matthew. They’re dying to meet you.” He slid his hand down her wet back and over her ass cheek, squeezing gently. “Everything else all right? Feeling okay?”
Her relief was so great, she shook a little with it. “I feel fine,” she replied, looking up at him as she rinsed the rest of the shampoo from her hair and reached up to squeeze the water out. The action tipped her breasts up to him invitingly, a temptation he didn’t resist. He smiled mischievously as he cupped her breast in his hand and rubbed his thumb over her tight nipple, making her sigh in pleasure and wish for more.
“You’re not sore?” he asked as she turned off the water and he wrapped a towel around her.
“No. I feel more sensitive, like I’ve been with you, but want more,” she murmured as he grinned down at her. “I’ll hurry and get ready so you can take your shower,” she said, toweling her hair as he slipped from the bathroom.
Kelly and Matthew were both precious. Kelly was like a little sprite. She laughed and teased Eli when he took them to supper. Matthew was a precious little sleepy baby who napped through most of supper. Rachel even had an opportunity to hold him once she talked him out of his doting uncle’s grasp.
As she watched him with the baby, she thought she remembered hearing him say something about visiting his sister in Abilene a few weeks ago, right after she’d had a baby. Later, she caught Eli’s warm gaze when she looked up from cuddling the baby and saw the tenderness in his eyes as he watched her. Her cheeks tingled with heat, realizing what he was probably thinking. He didn’t look away but blushed a little himself. Kelly thoroughly enjoyed teasing him about the way they made goo-goo eyes at each other.
Her Gentle Giant, Part 1: No Regrets
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He was due at the club in less than half an hour when he dropped Kelly off at the house. “I’m going to get us both ready for bed and lay on the couch and watch television. You go have fun. Good luck with the floozies, Rachel,” she called as they left for the club.
Eli helped her back into the truck because of her long, narrow skirt. His hands rested on her thighs after she was settled. “I haven’t told you how pretty you look in this sexy skirt, have I?”
“Nuh-uh,” she replied quietly, nuzzling into his neck as he reached over and buckled her seatbelt for her.