Though she’d put on a good show, Colton could see her pain. Not only had she sacrificed her dream, she’d entrusted him with her legacy. Now it was his turn to take care of her. Once alone in their suite, he snaked his arms around her. “How ‘bout a backrub, my love?”
Her eyes sparkled. “I like the sound of that,” she said, but her expression quickly turned somber. “I owe you an explanation.”
“And I owe you a debt of gratitude. We can talk, but not now. Tonight is about pamperingmyBrigit.”
Her relieved smile brought him peace. “Thank you,” she murmured. “I could use a shower, but I can’t get my stitches wet.”
“I’ll run a bath andpersonallymake sure your arm stays dry.”
“Will you join me?”
“I’ll be the guy washing your back.” He pecked her cheek, walked into the spacious bathroom and turned on the water in the Jacuzzi. When he exited, he found her struggling to remove her blouse.
“Getting you naked is my specialty.” After helping her take off the sling and shed her blouse, he gently kissed her arm over the gauze. “Are you in pain?”
“Like crazy, but you make it all go away.”
He unzipped her skirt and knelt to peel off her black stockings. Seeing her in her lingerie reminded him of their first night together. He’d found her breathtaking then, but that was nothing to how much he adored her now. After sliding off her panties, he rose, then unhooked her bra and pulled the satin fabric from her breasts. Her beauty stilled him and he paused to appreciate her perfect feminine form. God, he wanted her.
In his arms. In his bed. In his life.
“You have way too many clothes on.” As best she could, she helped him undress until he stood naked before her. With a sultry smile, she wrapped her hand around his erection. “Let’s go play.”
He tied her hair in a bun, supported her into the tub and eased in behind her. She relaxed against his chest and he laid his hands on her tummy. Feeling complete with her nestled in his arms, he murmured, “I could stay here with you forever.”
“Me, too, but shriveled isn’t my best look.”
“I love all your looks.” Colton kissed her shoulder.
Craning around, she kissed his scruffy chin. “Today was huge, for us both. I’m so relieved and happy we won.”
“Game changer.” He drizzled warm water over her chest and watched it trickle down her breasts. “Why didn’t you contact me after your parents died?”
As she spun around to face him, water splashed against the sides of the tub. “You don’t remember?”
“No, I don’t. Go easy. You’ll get your stitches wet.”
“I left messages and sent emails. I even made a special trip to see you, but got turned away at the mansion gates.” She blew out a frustrated sigh.
Her news stunned him. “You know me, Brig. I’ve never ignored a potential business opportunity and I wouldn’t have blown you off.”
She shrugged. “Well you did, but let’s not dredge up the past.”
“From the day we met in Seth’s office, I’ve thought about you and only you.”
Her expression softened. “That’s sweet, but why are we talking about this now?” She lathered the soap and covered his chest with bubbles.
“You’re right. Talking can wait.” He kissed her, savoring how her mouth molded so perfectly to his.
“Much better,” she murmured, her eyes sparkling.
“Now that you’ve met Montgomery, you can understand why having integrity is so important to me,” he said caressing her cheek. “And you’re so damn beautiful. I would have remembered you.”
“Fine, let’s do this now. We never met. We never spoke by phone. The woman who screened your calls told me you weren’t interested. You responded to one of my many emails and echoed what the gatekeeper had said.”
What the hell!“When was this?”
“Five and a half years ago.”
