Page 48 of The Engineer

Wyatt gave a curt nod of approval.

Jo pulled at one earlobe, but she remained silent. Just as well. There was no way she was going to win this one.

Wyatt made his way to the door. “There are spare blankets in the chest at the end of the bed if you’re cold in the night. Feel free to light the stove. There’s plenty of wood stacked round the back.” He paused in the open doorway. “Pharmasyn almost killed my mom.” His face grew grim. “No one’s ever going to hurt her again while I’m alive. If you need anything, just say the word.”

“Thank you,” Jo said.

“It’s a long trek up the mountain tomorrow.” Wyatt offered a half-smile. “Breakfast will be at five. Anything else?”

“No. That’s great. Like Jo says, this is above and beyond thanks.”

Wyatt’s head tilted. “Family comes first. Found or otherwise.” He dropped the keys into Griff’s hand. “See you in the morning.” His back disappeared into the waiting night.

Griff locked the door behind him.The hiss of water drew his attention. Jo had wasted no time hitting the shower. Citrus scented steam billowed out from the bathroom.

Griff bent and arranged kindling in the stove. Anything to distract himself from the sound of running water. He gritted his teeth as the tiny wood scraps caught, smoke curling upward. Apparently, he was shit at distraction. His mind was treating him to a full Technicolor preview of water sheeting over honeyed skin, her hair a wet slick over full breasts. Bubbles sliding down long legs that would fit perfectly around his waist when he lifted her.

Flames licked at the wood as he closed the glass door. She was exhausted, thinking about her like this was him just being a selfish bastard. Even if he’d been attracted to her since he first laid eyes on her. Jo was fierce, could look after herself when she had to, but he wanted to be there for her, when she woke from a bad dream in the middle of the night, when she had a long day at work, or when she tipped over the edge of pleasure. The attraction grew stronger within him every extra second he spent in her company. But that didn’t mean he had to act on that, did it? And if he was honest with himself, this wasn’t about some quick fuck. Already this felt like something more. Something he maybe wasn’t ready to admit to himself yet.

The sound of running water stopped. The bathroom door clicked as she left and he heard the soft pad of her bare feet as she made her way to the bedroom.

Fuck.

He straightened with a sigh, pulled his T-shirt over his head, unbuckled his belt and tugged the leather free. He caught sight of himself in the mirror above the fireplace. The bruising on his shoulder still impressively green and purple. With careful fingers, he checked the injury. Still painful, but it didn’t seem to be getting worse. He sighed. There was no doubt his body had seen the wars.

Methodically, he unlaced his boots and pulled off his socks. The wood floor was cool under his feet, grounding him despite his painful hard on. A cold shower would sort him out, sluice away the desire, the burning need to lose himself in her for the few hours they had together. It took everything he had to not crash into the bedroom and head for the bathroom instead. The temptation was powerful, but looking after her took precedence.

32

After scrubbing the grime of the day from her body, Jo had turned off the heat and let icy water steal the heat from her body. It worked, as her skin felt refreshed and tingling from the freezing water, but it didn't extinguish her internal heat—her thoughts were solely focused on a certain warrior man.

Now she picked up her clean underwear. She should get dressed. She adjusted the towel, suddenly uncertain. Behind her, steam billowed from under the bathroom door. Griff was in the shower.

Why the hell am I stalling?

Ha! As if you don’t know. Here. Let me remind you.

Her conscience instantly provided a juicy X-rated image of Griff in the shower, head tipped back, eyes closed against the jet of the water followed by a detailed blow by blow of water cascading across ridged abs, his thick cock jutting between powerful thighs.

Someone coughed.

Jo spun, clutching at her towel, heart rattling too loose in her chest.

Hot damn.

Griff filled the doorway, towel knotted at his waist. She’d been so lost in her hot security guard fantasy, she’d lost track of time. Water droplets scattered on the hard planes of his chest and his eyes were as dark as his water-soaked hair.

“You scared me.” Her cheeks ignited as if touched with kerosene—if only he knew the imagery she’d been running through her mind.

The darkness in his eyes wavered. “I knocked, but you were…somewhere else.”

Yeah. In the shower with you. Jo cleared her throat. “It’s been a long day.”

She crossed the room, drawn to him. With careful fingers, she skimmed the bruising on his shoulder, crisscrossed by ghostly scar tissue. She wanted to kiss every inch, soothe the pain inflicted on this protector’s body.

A gasp escaped between his clenched teeth.

Jo flinched. God, she’d hurt him. “Sorry, I—”

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