„Yes. Then Debra’s mother had a heart attack. Her father said seeing Debra like that year after year was killing her. He was desperate. I didn’t know what to do, but I just couldn’t do what he wanted. He filed for custody a month before Debra got an infection and died on her own. Her parents and I didn’t part on what you’d call friendly terms.“
„I guess not.“
He sighed. „Debra and Ruth were cousins. That’s how we met Sean and Ruth set me up with Debra on a surprise blind date.“
That was important for some reason, Kristen thought and searched her brain for a connection, nodding when she found it „That’s what Ruth was talking about the other night when she was here. Her mother invited Debra’s parents to the christening.“
Abe smiled ruefully. „Very good. Now if you can think of what I’m supposed to say when I see them, I’ll be really impressed. But that’s enough angst for one night“ He stood up, letting her body slide against his until her feet hit the floor. He pressed his lips to her forehead, held them there for three hard beats of her heart. Then he pushed her gently toward her bedroom. „One massage. Then I’ll get a lousy night’s sleep on your sofa.“
„It’s uncomfortable?“
„No.“ He sounded regretfully amused, walking behind her. „I will be.“
She stopped short, her whole body stiffening. He came closer and his heat burned her back. „I’m sorry.“ And she was. He would be, too, when the time finally came.
He pushed her curls off her neck and brushed his lips against her skin. She shuddered. „Don’t be,“ he murmured. „I meant what I said. One day at a time. That’s what we’ll do.“
She gathered up her courage. „You’ll be… disappointed.“
His breath was warm against her skin. „I don’t think so. But don’t worry about that now. Right now I’m going to get those knots out of your back and you’re going to sleep like a baby.“ He gave her another little shove. „You have my personal guarantee.“
She stopped next to her bed. Plucked at her blouse uncertainly. Felt like a fool. She was thirty-one years old, for God’s sake.
„Whatever makes you most comfortable,“ he murmured. „You said you trust me.“
She drew a deep breath and lay facedown on her bed, her clothes intact „I do.“ More than any man I’ve ever known.
„Scoot over a little,“ he said and sat down at her hip. „I have to confess up front. I learned how to do massages for Debra. It kept her muscles from atrophying, and the hospice never had the staff to do it as often as needed to be done.“
She tensed when he put his hands on her, but he said nothing, just started working her muscles with methodical skill until she began to relax. „Mmm. You’re so good at this.“
He still said nothing, just continued working the muscles on either side of her spine and she sighed. And wondered how it would feel to have his hands directly on her skin.
His hands paused. „It would feel much better, I think,“ he murmured, his voice warm and husky. „Take off your shirt.“
Once again, she’d spoken her thoughts aloud. She should feel threatened that this man was able to draw her very thoughts into the open, but she wasn’t. „Turn around.“ She stripped off her blouse, hesitated at her bra. That would stay. She resettled herself on her stomach. „Okay.“ Then waited expectantly for the first feel of his hands on her bare flesh. She sucked in a breath when he touched her, let it out on a long sigh. He was right. It was much better.
„You have a very pretty back,“ he said softly and she shivered. Hard.
„Cold?“
„No.“ Not even close. She was warm wherever he touched her and everywhere he didn’t. Her breasts grew sensitized within the confines of her plain cotton bra and her pulse throbbed between her legs with an almost painful pressure. She arched her back, pressing her pelvis into the mattress.
He paused. „Did I hurt you?“
„No.“ Not like he meant anyway. It was more like an ache. An ache only he could take away. I want him to touch me.
Abe stopped abruptly. She hadn’t meant the words to be heard. He knew that. But he’d heard them nevertheless. She wanted him to touch her, and right here, right now, he could think of little else. But he’d promised her a proper massage. Nothing more. Even though he could just see the plump curve of her breast. Even though her spine dipped enticingly at the waist of her wool slacks. Even though right now he was harder and more ready than he thought he’d ever been before.
Drawing on every ounce of self-control, he pulled the quilt from the foot of her bed and covered her with it. She was almost asleep while he suspected he would do little sleeping tonight He stood up. Watched her draw deep even breaths. Noted the way her dark lashes lay on her creamy skin like fans. He bent down and kissed her cheek.
„Sleep now,“ he whispered. He started to straighten, but her hand shot out and clamped over his wrist with surprising strength.
She half rolled to look up at him, her green eyes intense. „Don’t go.“ His eyes, damn them, dipped lower, taking in her breasts, silently cursing the utilitarian white bra that hid them from his view. He needed to get out of here. Now.
He shook his head. „I’ll sleep on the floor outside your door. You’ll be safe.“
„Don’t go.“ Her grip tightened. „Please.“
„Kristen, I…“ He exhaled, and gently pried her fingers from his wrist. „You need to sleep. And I can’t stay here. I promised you.“
„I know.“ She grabbed a handful of his shirt, swung up, sitting on the edge of the bed. Her free hand captured his, and she brought his palm to her lips.
And he couldn’t contain the groan. „Kristen, let me go. Now.“
„No.“ She took his hand, placed it over her heart which pounded. „You can’t possibly understand… I never thought I’d ever feel this way.“ She looked up and her eyes weren’t afraid or wary or hurt. They were alive and bewitching. Compelling. Not taking her eyes from his, she moved his hand inch by inch until his palm covered white cotton. Covered his hand with her own, pressing his fingers until he held her breast cupped in his hand. „It’s you,“ she breathed, so softly he almost didn’t hear. Dropping her hand to her lap, her eyes slid closed.
And God help him, he couldn’t say no. Gently he pushed her back against the bed and joined her there, his hand now freely exploring, his thumb seeking out the hard tip that the white cotton couldn’t hide. „You are so beautiful,“ he whispered and bent to kiss her lips. Her hand came up and smoothed the hair at the nape of his neck so he deepened the kiss and felt her sigh. He moved his hand to her other breast and she arched to meet him. She was fluid grace and intoxicating innocence all at once and he knew whatever her past, whatever had turned her from the impulsive, spontaneous girl she’d once been to the wary woman he’d met just five days before, what she was feeling now was brand new. He bent his head to her breast and kissed her through her bra and her gasp made him feel proud, like he’d done something totally remarkable. And maybe he had.
She pulled his head closer and he opened his mouth, tonguing her stiff nipple, wishing there was nothing between his mouth and her skin. Then her hand left his head, tugged at the cotton and there wasn’t. He drew her nipple into his mouth and sucked.
And she moaned his name. His pounding heart exploded. He wanted her. Wanted her naked, wanted to feel her sheathed around him. Wanted to feel her tighten, convulsing, his name on her lips. Before he realized his intentions, his hand was sliding lower, his fingers questing, finding. Claiming.
A startled little gasp surprised him and he raised his head. Confused panic warred with the passion in her eyes. „Sshh,“ he soothed. „It’s just my hand. That’s all. I’ll stop.“
Her eyes narrowed and her hand once again covered his, keeping him from making good on his offer. „No, you won’t“