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“I had a couple of friends that were in the work. I wanted to give back. And it seemed like a natural fit. I’ve always been able to connect with people, and police work is really social work.”
I grin. “I bet you’re good at it.”
“I like to think so. But there’s a lot to learn. I’m starting a new job here, as a detective.”
I moan my pleasure around a bite of salad. “Sorry, I was consumed by that dressing for a second. What’s in it?”
“Lemon, olive oil, fresh herbs, a bit of honey, a dash of balsamic vinegar.”
“You surprise me again.”
He chuckles. “Glad I can be such entertainment.”
“So, detective job? That’s a promotion, right?”
He nods as he carefully lifts a gigantic mouthful of pasta to his mouth.
“I think we should celebrate.”
He wiggles his eyebrows as he chews. When he’s finished, he asks, “How do you suggest?”
Drumming my fingers on my chin, I contemplate a proper celebration. “I’ll think on that.”
“You do not have to carry me!”
I try to stand, but before I can even get my walking cast on the floor, Hunter has scooped me up. “Shush.”
He sets me on the edge of the tub and turns on the hot water. “Can you undress on your own?”
I eye him flatly. “What do you think?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure.”
I grab the hem of my shirt and yank it off.
His eyes go wide. “Well then.”
I start fidgeting with my bra—it’s not like he hasn’t seen me naked a gazillion times before. But as I wiggle around, I lose my balance and start to fall into the tub. He grabs my arm and rights me. “I didn’t think this was going to go well. You’re skunk-drunk.”
His hand is on me, suddenly, all warm against my back as he expertly releases my bra closure. “Stand up on your good foot, I’ll steady you.”
I put my hands on his shoulders as he unfastens my pants. Then, he takes off my walking cast boot-thingy. I hold tightly to him. I am pretty stinking loopy.
He shimmies my pants and panties down. My body goes perfectly still as the warmth of his breath dances over my naked flesh. I fight back a groan.
His nostrils flare, but he keeps right on working. With gentle fingers, he works my pants off my sprained ankle then lifts me enough so I can shake the other leg free. He scoops me up into his arms once again and lowers me over into the hot water.
Every cell of my skin is so sensitized from his proximity that I’m electrified with awareness. My nipples bead. My flesh goosebumps.
He kneels beside the tub and swishes a washcloth into the water. I’m mesmerized as he works to clean each and every scrape on my arms. The intensity of his eyes on my naked flesh makes my breath freeze solid in my lungs. I’m dizzy with desire or lack of air. Or maybe both.
My fingers itch to touch his forearms where the water beads on them. I try to will his eyes to turn to me, but he concentrates on his task. What’s he thinking?
Finally, he dips the cloth again and reaches for my face. Hunter freezes, with the cloth midway to me. His throat works as he swallows roughly. Then, he watches my eyes as he cleans the scrape on my cheek. His eyes turn so intense, I shiver.
The cloth falls from his hand, landing softly on my right breast with a little splash. His big hand drips water down my neck as it curls into my hair. I shiver as his mouth meets mine.
“I want you so fucking bad,” he groans.
