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He leaned his elbow on the table, raking his hand through his hair. “I don’t know if I want to act anymore. The movies: they’re all the same. I’m either a homicidal maniac or a superhero. I want to be known for more than my pretty face and cute ass.”
“You do have that, but you are a wonderful actor. You know it, and the world knows it. So what if half your roles require your bare bottom. If you’ve got it, flaunt it, I always say.”
“I wouldn’t mind it so much if the roles had some substance to them, but it’s the same thing over and again. I don’t want to do it anymore.”
“What does Marcus say?”
Reece dropped his fork in disgust. “He says I have to pay my dues to be welcomed into the club, so he’ll continue to sign the checks.”
Maggie shook her head. “Your brother is a real git.”
“Please tell me something I don’t already know.”
There was a light rap on the door before Nicole appeared in the doorway. Reece stood, dropping his napkin on his plate. Maggie noticed, laughing to herself at his unexpected chivalrous behavior.
“What can I do for you, luv?” she asked, dabbing her mouth with her napkin.
Nicole hobbled into the room, wincing with every other step. “Do you have any Tylenol or Motrin? My bottom half is screaming in agony.”
Reece subconsciously thumped himself on the forehead. He’d been so caught up in his own sexual turmoil, he forgot to tell his novice rider friend to take a hot bath to help relax any stiffening muscles. Now she was suffering; badly too, by the look of it.
“Nicole, I’m so sorry. I should have warned you. Why don’t you go get a bath? I’ll find some liniment to rub into your legs.”
“Or,” Maggie interjected, “Reece can be a gentleman by offering to carry you upstairs while I get your bath ready.” She turned to him. “There’s no way she’ll be able to get up those stairs on her own. The poor child is as stiff as a board.”
Nicole bit her lip to keep from crying out. “I don’t want to put anyone to too much trouble. I can do it all myself. Just point me to a medicine cabinet.”
“Nonsense, girl. You’re no trouble at all. Besides, I haven’t had a lamb to care for in a long time.”
“Thank you, Maggie. I would gladly appreciate your help.”
Reece felt a bit put out. “What about me?”
Nicole glared at him. “I’m not sure I can trust you, Reece Collins. So far, I’ve received a black eye, a twisted ankle, and muscles so sore, they feel like they’re being ripped from my bones. What’s on the agenda for tomorrow? Chinese water torture?” Maggie chuckled, and Reece reluctantly joined her.
He reached for his disgruntled houseguest, swinging her up into his arms. “Do you always have to have the last word?” he asked as he carried her out of the kitchen.
“Yes, it’s part of my charm,” she replied as she wrapped her arm around his neck, enjoying the ride.
~ ~ ~
Nicole was warm under the blankets, the bath having relieved some of the stiffness in her joints. Maggie had been wonderful to her, washing her hair when it hurt to lift her arms, helping her in and out of the bathtub, and assisting her with her nightclothes.
She’d taken some ibuprofen for the pain and was beginning to doze when Reece came in the room.
“Are you ready for round two?”
She frowned at him from one open eye. “What does that entail?”
He came over to the bed, peering down at her. “You seem to be comfortable.” He wanted to join her.
“I don’t feel comfortable. If I never see a horse again, it’ll be too soon.”
“Well, I have to tell you, the best remedy for it is to get back on the horse.”
“Good luck with that,” she snapped.
He chuckled. “I have come to rub your legs down.” Nicole stiffened, wincing in pain. “Don’t tense up, or you’ll ruin all the good you’ve just done.”
