Kemp replied, “Darlin’, you feel really good in my lap and I don’t want you to move.”
“Okay.” She tried to pay attention to the movie and felt herself being lulled by Ace’s rhythmic stroking of her feet.
* * * *
Kemp didn’t move a muscle as he sat there staring at Summer like a sap. Even with the lotion painted all over her face she was undeniably gorgeous. A few minutes before, she’d snuggled closer to him in her sleep and made a happy little sound. Ace had grinned at him and gone back to watching the movie.
She looks like a little angel sleeping. I hate to wake her.
Summer was a “put-together” kind of woman. She dressed nicely and seemed to enjoy taking care of herself and looking her best. It must have been especially hard for her to let them see her like this. He appreciated the stretch that it must have been for her as he enjoyed the feel of her warm, sexy body curled up in his arms.
Rather than disturb her, he would have sat there holding her all night. Ace had angled toward her on the couch, and her calves were now draped over his lap. They’d both been very careful not to aggravate the areas where the rash was visible on her legs. He remembered the feel of her silky skin under his fingertips as his hand had traced around her ankle and up her calf. The visual reminder was there as well.
The movie ended, and Ace reached for the remote when the credits began to roll. The music stopped, and Summer stirred in his arms.
“Wow. I fell asleep.” She looked up at him and smiled as she gave a little stretch, and his heart thudded in his chest at the faint tremble he felt run through her. “Did you like the movie?”
“Sure,” he said as she sat up a bit. But not nearly as much as I enjoyed sitting with you curled up in my lap like a kitten. “I was just wondering if I should carry you to your bed and tuck you in.”
She must have liked that notion because it brought a big smile to her sweet lips. Her sleepy eyes made him wish that he could put her to bed and then climb in after her.
Ace said, “We should probably put you to bed, kitten. You need your rest.”
Kemp helped her to rise and suppressed the need inside him as he watched her stretch her arms over her head. Clearly she had no idea how she turned him on. Otherwise she wouldn’t torture him like that. Her back arched, and her breasts were tilted up like a sexy offering to his lips. His enlarging cock made it difficult to stand, but he managed somehow.
Ace went to her first and gave her a gentle good-night kiss on her lips, and she smiled up at him and hugged him carefully. She was worried about getting the dried lotion all over them, but Kemp thought he’d let her rub all over him if that’s what she wanted to do.
Turning to Kemp, she said, “I was kind of worried about you both seeing me like this. It’s embarrassing. But I am glad you came over tonight. I enjoyed it.”
Kemp replied, “I wish you wouldn’t worry about that. I think you’re beautiful no matter whether you’re dressed to the nines or casual like this. I’m glad I got to see you.”
“Same here, kitten,” Ace said as he turned off the television and the other components.
She walked them to the door and bid them good-night. They’d come in separate vehicles, so Kemp’s thoughts occupied him on the drive home.
The sense of comfort and familiarity they’d enjoyed that evening came to his mind. If she wasn’t completely comfortable with them there was no way she would have fallen asleep in his arms like that. When she’d paused while explaining where the rash hurt the most and he’d filled in the blanks for her, her expressive hazel eyes had spoken volumes to him of how she felt. Desire had been plain in her gaze and the way her breathing had quickened.
Honestly, he was still shocked that she wasn’t furious with him for exposing her to poison oak the way he had. She certainly had the right but hadn’t taken advantage of it. Instead she’d curled up with him and Ace and had given them her company for the evening. He’d planned to send her roses and chocolates all week but felt that she was the one truly giving the gift.
* * * *
Thursday morning, Summer sighed with pleasure as she closed her front door after receiving the latest delivery from Merritt’s Florist.
Today, she was feeling remarkably better as she placed the cheerful arrangement of yellow roses next to the other three. So far, Kemp had sent red roses, white roses, and fiery, multihued orange roses, then today’s yellow roses, along with enough chocolate each day to put a small country in a sugar coma. Today’s chocolates were her favorites, mint truffles.
She opened the card and read his handwritten message.