Page 24 of Losing Hope

ChapterNine

“Will you pass me the shampoo?”A content smile graced her lips as warm water ran over her back, his arms wrapped around her. They’d come in from the dock and straight into the shower.

He shook his head, placing a soft kiss to her lips. “If you think you’re finally done with me, I’ll wash yourhair.”

She kissed him back and giggled. “Hey, you’re the one that started things in the shower. I was minding my own business ‘til you showedup.”

He grinned at her wickedly. “Is that a complaint?”

He pecked her lips one final time and spun her around as he grabbed the shampoo off the counter. He poured some in his hand, inhaling the lemony fragrance that drifted in the steam as he began massaging it through her long locks.

She moaned her approval at his skilled fingers. “That feels sogood.”

“Hmmm. I seem to hear that a lot from you.” He chuckled.

“You are pretty good with your hands.” She laughed lightly, humming in satisfaction as he continued rubbing herhead.

When he was done with her hair, he piled it on top of her head and squirted some soap into his hand. He moved over the rest of her body, leaving a trail of suds as he gently washed each part of her. She watched under hooded lids as he treated her body to this luxurious care and adoration. She couldn’t remember the last time her body and soul had felt so atease.

He finished and moved her under the water and again began massaging her hair and then her body until all the soap was rinsed away. “There you go. Clean as a whistle.” He placed a kiss on her shoulder and moved to stand under the water withher.

“Thank you, Mr. Clean. I feel like a new woman.”

“Good. Why don’t you go dry off and put something comfyon?”

She looked up at him through wet lashes and shook her head. “You think I’m giving up a chance to run my hands over those super-sexy abs? No way! It’s myturn.”

He threw his head back in laughter. “You and these abs! They’re just muscles, youknow?”

She cocked her head at him, eyebrows arched, as she poured soap into her hand. “These are so much more than just muscles. These are planes of deliciousness that deserve to be worshipped. And I volunteer.”

A low chuckle rumbled through his chest as she ran her hands over him, bubbles foaming under her fingers as she worked. “They are all yours, Angel, especially if they make you smile likethat.”

She beamed up at him, her face flushed from the heat of their passion. “I like when you call me Angel.”

“You rescued me from a night on the side of the road and seem to have delivered me to heaven’s gates. Definitely an angel.”

He kissed her lazily, backing into the water as he did, rinsing himself off as droplets slid down over both of them. When he was clean, he broke away and turned to shut the water off. “Let’s dryoff.”

They both stepped out of the shower, taking towels off the rack and drying off. “If you go in Tommy’s room, you can wear anything in there you want. It’s the door down the hall on theleft.”

“Okay, thanks.” He wrapped the towel snuggly around his waist, tucking the end into the middle. “Stop ogling, woman, and get dressed!”

Hope jolted and covered her eyes at being called out, yet again, for staring at his magnificent stomach, before turning and skittering out the door to her bedroom. “I’m going! I’m going!”

Several moments later, they met in the hallway, both dressed comfortably—he in sweats and a t-shirt, and she in a thigh-length night shirt, with white, wooly socks on her feet. He took her hand as they started down the stairs together. She turned and looked at him in thought.

“Do you think it’s weird that we’ve only known each other for twenty-four hours? I mean, doesn’t it seem like we’ve known each other for so much longer?”

He nodded. “Yeah. I’ll admit, it’s a bit strange. But you’re right. This feels soeasy.”

“Easy is a good word. Or natural. I have been more myself with you than I think I’ve ever been with anyone.” They had reached the kitchen and stopped in front of the center counter. She grinned broadly. “I’m going to guess you’re hungry again?”

“See how well you know me already?” He grinned back at her. “Let’s do something easy, though. Maybe some cheese, crackers, and fruit? I can start a fire, and we can relax and eat over there?” He nodded his head in the direction of the fireplace.

“That sounds divine. You start the fire and I’ll get the food together?”

He nodded his head. “Perfect.”

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