Page 25 of About Last Night

"Just a minute." A rustling noise sounded through the door. "You can come in."

With a backward glance to their visitors, who seemed rapt, he opened the door and leaned inside, blindly patting the vanity.

* * *

BEHIND THEclosed shower curtain, Janine held her breath as he rummaged on the vanity for what seemed like an eternity. Finally she inched the curtain aside to peer out. He was leaning inside the room, stretching his arm across the counter, but unable to reach the bright orange box at the far end.

"I said you could come in," she repeated, although grateful for his attempt at discretion.

Wordlessly, he stepped into the room to grab the box, then caught her gaze in the mirror.

For a few seconds, they were frozen in place. An erotic tingle skipped across her skin, sending chills over her shoulders andknees—the only part of her not submerged in the bubble bath. Even fully dressed, the man emitted a powerful sexual energy that spoke to her. His hands, his arms, his shoulders, his face—all of him radiated a strength and masculinity that stirred her insides in the most confounding way, which might explain why her normal levelheadedness had abandoned her, and impulsiveness had taken its place.

"Found it," he said with a tight smile, holding up the box.

"Good," she said inanely, supremely aware that only a paper-thin curtain shielded her nudity from his eyes.

"Um, the doctor and the general manager of the hotel are here," he said, nodding toward the door. His grin was unexpected. "You're keeping everyone entertained."

Her cheeks warmed and she returned a sheepish smile. "I didn't realize anyone could hear me."

"They want to know if you're feeling okay."

She nodded, suddenly wanting the other men to leave and wanting their conversation to continue. "Has the quarantine been lifted?"

"Nope. Looks like we're stuck here together for the day."

An unbidden thrill zipped through her. She studied Derek's face for his reaction to the news, but his expression remained unreadable, although he began to tap the box of medication against his other hand.

"Guess we'll have to make the best of it," he added lightly.

Her breasts tightened and she curled her fingers into such a tight fist, her nails bit into her palm. Could he hear her heart beating?

Suddenly he straightened. "I'd better get back to the doctor and the manager."

"I'll be out soon," she felt compelled to murmur as he headed toward the door.

He hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. "Take your time," he said, although his voice sounded hoarse.

When the door closed behind him, Janine leaned back against the smooth surface of the tub and allowed a pressing smile to emerge. Sliding deeper into the water, she ran her hands over her body. She raised her right leg and watched the suds drip from the end of her bright pink-polished toe. Without too much difficulty she could imagine Derek facing her on the other end of the tub, naked and slippery, their legs entwined. She lazily lowered her toe to the shiny chrome faucet and outlined the square opening. Feeling uncharacteristically wanton, she cupped her breasts, reveling in the textures—silky smooth and achingly hard. Long-denied sensations seized her, and she gave in to the lull of the warm bubbling water. After a moment's hesitation, she closed her eyes and slipped a washcloth to the apex of her thighs.

Holding it from corner to corner, she drew the wet nubby cloth over the folds of her flesh, sighing as tremors delivered wonderful, quivering sensations to her extremities. This was how she wanted her man to touch her, with gentle, firm strokes, knowing when to take his time and... and... and...when to speed up.She pressed her lips together to stifle the moans of pleasure that vibrated in the back of her throat. As the waves of release diminished, she sank farther into the luxuriously warm water to enjoy the lingering hum.Oh, Derek...

* * *

DEREK TOREhis gaze from the closed bathroom door and tried to concentrate on the doctor's words. The only part of Janine he'd seen was her face, surrounded by wet blond hair, but with little imagination he could picture her slender body on the other sideof that shower curtain, buoyed by the water. He ground his teeth against the image, then realized the doctor had said something and was waiting for a reply.

"Excuse me?" He put a finger to his temple to feign the distraction of a headache.

Dr. Pedro smiled as he scrutinized the box of medication Derek had handed to him. "I said I'm glad Ms. Murphy is still feeling well."

"Right." With a swift mental kick, Derek reminded himself that while they were in the middle of a serious medical situation,hewas obsessing over his unexplainable attraction to Steve's bride. With sheer determination, he pushed all thoughts of the woman from his mind.

Dr. Pedro directed Derek to keep taking the medicine for his symptoms. Afterward he quickly drew a blood sample from Derek's forearm, then stood to leave. "If your, um, roommate starts exhibiting symptoms, please call the front desk and I'll be notified."

Mr. Oliver extended a sheet of green paper. "These are a few guidelines concerning movement about the property during the quarantine, how your meals will be delivered, how information will be disseminated, et cetera."

Derek exhaled noisily, then accepted the sheet. "How serious is this situation?"

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