Tangled in Divine(Divine Creek Ranch 14)(115)
Hank nodded thoughtfully. “I’m real glad you knew self-defense techniques. I wish all the women in this town did. It wouldn’t make my job any easier but I’d worry less about all of them.”
The way he said it didn’t make her feel like she was being talked down to. He said it like worrying about them really made him lose sleep at night. The deputy riding with Hank called out to him and lifted the radio handset, signaling that he was needed.
Gwen laid her cheek against Chris’s chest and sighed in relief when Julián came to her and pressed against her back, warming her from that side. She shivered and Julián said, “We need to get you inside where it’s warm, love.”
Hank walked back over to them. “Gwen, I agree. You’re practically turning blue. Why don’t y’all get her home? I’ll take Dunlap in and you can come to the station in the morning. Ethan, I need that disk, if you don’t mind.”
She didn’t argue when Chris helped her into the passenger seat of Julián’s truck and held his hand out for her keys. “You may have to feather the gas pedal. And let her warm up for a few minutes. And the windshield wipers only run on the high setting. And—”
Chris cut her off with a kiss. “I’ll get your truck home safe, darlin’.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
At the ranch house, they got her inside out of the rain and turned up the heater in the house a couple of degrees.
“Let’s get her undressed and let her soak in the tub for a few minutes,” Julián said, as he removed her coat.
Her teeth chattered as she said, “I w–was going t–to d–do a s–sexy s–striptease for you. Or at least I h–hoped it was g–gonna be a sexy striptease.”
In the bathroom, Chris rubbed her arms and said, “I have hot memories of stripping you down to your sexy striped socks in the barn to tide me over. Right now, you’re turning blue and need to get into the tub. Damn,” he growled deep, drawing the word out as Julián gathered up her hem and lifted her dress up her body, revealing her lingerie.
She raised her arms and gasped when she felt Chris’s hot hands roam over her torso. “Surprise.”
Once the dress was off, she turned so they could see the front and back of the sassy black and white bustier that was covered with sparkles to match the thong panties she was wearing.
Chris bit his lip and made an appreciative noise in his throat. “When I put my arms around you, I knew you had something different on under your dress and I’ve been wondering all night.” As she turned, he said, “Look at that,” as he ran his fingertips down the intricate corset lace enclosure that ran down the back. “Did you lace yourself into this tonight?”
Gwen shook her head and turned to face him as she unhooked the hidden seam in the front. “Nope, it has easy access.”
Julián chuckled and helped her when her fingers shook a little. “You look beautiful in it, love.”
“Yeah, black, white, and b–blue.”
She moaned in relief as they helped her into the tub. “I don’t know why I’m like this. It was raining outside and windy but it’s not like it was below freezing or anything. I can’t stop shaking.”
Julián sat on the edge of the tub and used his hand to pour water over her shoulders. “Probably shock or the adrenaline overload. Just sit and get warmed up.”
Gwen smiled at him. “M–Might help if you joined me. I’m still on board for our plans tonight if you still want to.”
The men glanced at each other and Gwen giggled as Chris started shucking clothes and they went flying through the air.
Julián squatted down by her shoulder outside the tub. “You’ve been through a lot tonight, Gwen.”
She drew a dripping finger down his cheekbone, to the stubble on his jawline. “I don’t want this Valentine’s night to be memorable because I was nearly assaulted. When I think back on this night, I want it to be a sexy memory filled with happiness and joy and—” She couldn’t say it, even though she felt it. Love. I love them. She didn’t want to be reminded that her time in Divine was nearing its end, even if she didn’t want it to.
Her emotions must’ve shown in her eyes because they both paused and gazed at her. No words were needed as the bittersweetness of the moment descended on them.
The tearing in her heart was growing and spreading, until Chris moved suddenly, climbing into the tub and plopping down with a big splash. The tidal wave sent bathwater gushing over the edge of the tub and Gwen giggled. “Cannonball?” With purpose glowing in his eyes, Chris gently grasped her upper arms and drew her into his lap, creating a place for Julián in the cramped tub.