Page 72 of A Simple Love

Kassie shook her head in vexation. “He was concerned and thought I should know. He was right.”

I huffed out a long breath. “My ass hurts.”

“You’re lucky it’s not your head. You could have been seriously hurt.”

“I am hurt. My ass is hurt. So is my pride.”

She smiled and cupped my cheek. “Poor baby.”

“I need to lie down.”

“Come on, then. You can soak in the hot tub, and I’ll check your injuries.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, leaning into her. “You gonna kiss my boo-boos better?”

She snorted. “I doubt it. I might rub in some pain cream, but my mouth isn’t getting involved.”

I pursed my lips as we arrived at her door. “I kinda hurt my face too.”

“You hurt your face?”

“I might have smacked my head a little.”

With a sigh, she turned to me and cupped my face, pulling me down to her level. She pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Better?”

“Hmm.” I touched my cheek. “I might have grazed this.”

Her lips were warm on my skin as she brushed her mouth over my face.

“Oh, that helps,” I said, stepping closer to her. I tapped my mouth. “Owie.”

She rolled her eyes but kissed me. Gently. Sweetly. I loved how her mouth felt on mine.

I wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling her tight and kissing her back. For a moment, there was only her and me. Together. Wrapped in each other.

Then she swatted my arm. “Faker.”

I smiled. “But I feel so much better already.”

She pushed open the door. “Get inside.”

I groaned as the heat of the water in the hot tub surrounded me. I leaned my head back, feeling my back beginning to loosen as the jets pounded at the tightly corded muscles.

Kassie had checked me over, clucking at the colors blooming on my buttocks. “You’ve got a rainbow happening, Olly,” she informed me. “You are gonna be walking funny the next few days.”

I checked myself in her full-length mirror, shaking my head and agreeing with her. I was bruising from my hips down to the backs of my knees. “Good thing my sex scenes are done,” I muttered. “That would take a hell of a makeup job to cover.”

She got a funny look on her face, but she didn’t reply. I knew she disliked watching the intimate scenes even though I had explained how technical they were, not filled with passion the way they made it look on-screen, so I let the subject drop.

I was beyond grateful she had this tub. I could have gone to the Y and soaked there, but the privacy factor wouldn’t be as good. Her yard was enclosed and secluded. Cedar hedges lined the two sides, and the tall fence she had around her personal area worked well to protect her and, right now, me.

The pain meds were beginning to kick in, and I sighed as relief replaced ache. The patio door slid open, and Kassie came out. I opened one eye, watching as she slid a tray onto her small table and turned my way. She looked summery today, dressed in shorts and a flowery T-shirt. Her hair was swept up away from her face.

“Were you still baking?” I asked.

“Earlier. I was working on some tax documents for a client when Davis called.”

I wasn’t sure if I should be annoyed at Davis or not. I still didn’t like the fact that he had her number, although I was grateful for her care.