‘I think they’ll be happier out here tonight,’ she said closing the gate and standing with her arms folded across her chest. ‘I checked the forecast and the storm has moved away now and it doesn’t look as if there’s more to come, thankfully.’ She smiled at him. ‘I don’t know about you but I need a stiff drink after I’ve had a shower.’
‘That sounds good to me.’ Assuming this was his cue to leave, Brodie ruffled Derek’s head. ‘Come along, boy, let’s leave Lettie and Spud to relax.’
‘Oh, I didn’t mean for you to go,’ she said. ‘You’re welcome to shower here, if you like.’
He much preferred the thought of spending more of the evening with Lettie. ‘I’d like that.’
They fed the dogs and she showed him the way to the bathroom. ‘I’ll fetch you more clothes and some towels.’
He stripped off and stepped into the shower, closing the curtain and turning on the warm water. It felt good to be clean again. He closed his eyes allowing the water to run over his head and body, surprised to hear Lettie’s voice.
‘May I join you?’
Surprised, but not wanting to miss another opportunity like he had done after the school disco or allowing himself time to overthink her question, he pulled back the curtain. ‘I’d like that very much.’
36
LETTIE
Lettie didn’t know where her courage had come from, nor did she care. She saw Brodie’s dripping outstretched hand and took it, stepping into the shower to join him. She had no idea what had possessed her to ask him such a question and right now, as she looked at his handsome face, his sandy hair falling over his forehead, a look of longing in his dark eyes, and rivulets of water coursing down his muscular body, she didn’t much care.
Brodie didn’t speak, but took her into his arms and held her against him so that any doubts she might have about whether he was attracted to her vanished instantly. He kissed her. She was the breathless one now, she thought, in no doubt about him wanting her as her hands moved over his body and reached around behind him, one resting on his muscular back, the other on his rounded buttock.
She felt his hand on her bottom pushing all further thoughts aside as he began kissing her neck.
‘Well, today didn’t turn out remotely as I imagined it would,’ Brodie said as they cuddled in front of the fire in her living room a couple of hours later. He kissed her again. ‘I still can’t get over what happened earlier.’
Confused and hoping he wasn’t referring to her joining him in the shower, Lettie clasped her hands together. ‘Sorry?’
He gave her an amused smile. ‘I mean about the fire in the barn.’
She elbowed him, aware he had intended her to get the wrong end of the stick. ‘I shouldn’t have done that,’ she said kissing his shoulder. ‘Not when you’ve been such a hero.’
‘I presume we’re still referring to the fire now?’
She laughed. ‘We are.’
‘That’s a shame.’
Brodie turned to her again. ‘Do you know I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed a shower as much as that one.’
Delighted to hear him say so but determined to mistake his meaning, Lettie took her time before replying. ‘Why, because of the excellent water pressure we have at this house?’
‘Exactly that.’ He laughed. ‘No. The water pressure needs some work. My shower companion, on the other hand…’
‘Yes?’ She wondered what he might say next. ‘What about her?’
He took her into his arms slowly, and lowered himself back onto the sofa. ‘I was thinking that maybe we could see how well we fit together without water being involved.’
She liked that idea. Very much.
He put his arms behind his head. ‘So, what do you say?’
She lay on top of him, relishing their closeness and kissed him. ‘Is that the answer you were looking for?’
‘Almost.’
The following morning Lettie opened her eyes to see Brodie resting his head on an elbow as he lay facing her. ‘Have you been watching me for long?’
