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She felt his hands on her shoulders, brushing her fingers aside and slowly easing her coat off. Chantelle felt a shiver go up her spin. She felt like she was undressing more than just a jacket with the delicate way Darren was taking it off her.
“You can turn around now. It’s off.”
“Oh.”
Chantelle hadn’t realized. She turned to see Darren putting her coat on a hook. Then he kicked off his shoes and gave her a lopsided grin.
“On second thoughts, don’t move. You’re dripping everywhere. I’ll be right back.”
Then he headed up the stairs, leaving Chantelle shivering in the hall. She could feel her feet squishing in her shoes. Not the appropriate footwear for this weather. Her socks had to be soaked.
Balancing carefully, she eased her shoes off and then her socks. God, they were dripping, and they felt far heavier than when she first put them on. She put them on the radiator, wincing as she saw water gathering on the floor. Shit.
She had no spare clothes. And she was shivering. Would the guys mind if she took a shower and borrowed some sweats while her clothes were drying off? Probably not, they always gave her what she asked.
Always. There didn’t seem to be anything off-limits when it came to them.
Except for themselves. Because you couldn’t damn choose which one you wanted the most.
“Here you go.” Darren came back down the stairs, carrying a white towel. “I think you need more than a towel, but this will do for now.”
“Thanks.” Chantelle tugged the band out of her hair and let it fall loose. “Would you mind if I borrowed some clothes? I don’t feel comfortable sitting around in wet clothes.”
“I’m sure Cedric will let you borrow something of his. We’ll put your stuff in the drier.” Darren ran a towel over her hair. “Although I think we need to put you in the drier.”
“It might make me warmer.”
It was hard to focus when Darren was touching her like this, even if it was just drying her off. His touch had always been gentle, and it hadn’t changed. He towelled off her hair before brushing the corner of the towel across her cheek. Was he standing closer to her? Chantelle wasn’t sure, but she could feel the heat radiating off his body.
“You look good, Chantelle.” His voice was like a rumble that went straight to her core. “You’re just as lovely as you did when we last saw you.”
Her mouth went dry. He thought she was lovely? He had never said that before. She swallowed.
“You shouldn’t flatter me, Darren.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not true.”
Darren arched an eyebrow.
“Who says it isn’t? That damn ex of yours?”
“I’d rather not think about him.”
“I don’t want to think of him, either. He blocked us from seeing you, and before we knew what was happening, you were gone.” His eyes flashed. “He didn’t deserve you. He didn’t appreciate you.”
“I...it took me a while for me to realize that.” Chantelle swallowed. “Wade was never faithful. He married me, and he still wouldn’t stop. I wish I’d listened to you when you told me about it.”
Darren paused.
“I didn’t expect you to listen. You were mad about him. But I would never lie to you. None of us would.”
“And I forgot that.” Chantelle touched his chest, feeling the muscles flex under her hand. “I’m sorry.”
They stared at each other, the tension building. Chantelle could feel it settling on her shoulders, and her knees were weak. Just being this close to Darren did that to her. It always had.
Darren’s eyes drifted over her face. His hand covered hers, his long fingers curling around her. He looked like he was about to say something more, but then he sprang away as the door opened and Matt and Cedric came in, both of them dripping wet. Matt took off his Stetson and shook it, spraying water everywhere.
