Page 95 of On the Wild Side

Me: Just put her to sleep. Come on home, baby, and I’ll take care of you.

She sends back the heart emoji, and I get to work upstairs, getting her favorite lounging clothes together and making sure there’s a big, fluffy towel waiting by the shower.

When Abbi walks in, her shoulders are slumped, her pretty blonde hair is in disarray, falling out of a low ponytail, and her eyes look…defeated.

“Oh, baby.” I pull her against me and hug her close as she sighs and hugs me back. “I’m sorry that it was a rough day.”

“Me, too,” she murmurs. “I know that I’m going to have turnover, but it’s so inconvenient during the busiest months.”

“Are you hungry?”

“A little.”

“I have a plan. How about a nice, hot shower, and then you can come down here and have a snack, and I’ll rub your feet. Or anything else that needs to be rubbed.”

She tips her head back, giving me a fake scowl. “Is that an innuendo?”

“It wasn’t, but it could be.” I relax a little when she smiles. “That’s my girl. Come on, shower first.”

With her hand in mine, I lead her upstairs, and her face softens when she sees that I have everything ready for her.

“You’re thebest,” she whispers before I start the water, letting the stream warm up.

“I’m just a mortal man, in love with the most beautiful woman in the world.” I kiss her forehead before I pull her dirty T-shirt over her head and toss it into the hamper. Then I make quick work of her jeans and underwear, tossing them into the hamper, as well.

God, she’s fucking gorgeous. I know she’s self-conscious of her curves, but I can’t get enough of them.

However, now is not the moment for sex. That’s for later.

“Come on, my hard worker. Into the shower for you.”

“Thank you,” she says, lifting up on her toes to kiss my chin before she steps under the hot spray. “Oh, God, this is heaven.”

I grin at her and then shut the door of the shower, giving her privacy.

“I’ll be downstairs when you’re done.”

“I won’t be long.”

“Take your time, Blue Eyes.”

Once downstairs, I pop some popcorn and add Abbi’s favorite seasoning to the top, then arrange a plate of cheese and crackers and pour her a glass of wine, then I turn the A/C down a bit to make it colder in here and start the fireplace.

I don’t know what it is with women wanting to make a house feel like the arctic tundra, just so they can curl up in blankets and start a fire, but I’ve learned that it’s a thing.

And I want my girl to relax tonight.

I hear the creak of the stairs and turn to find Abbi descending them, and when she sees the food and the fire, she grins.

“This isso great.”

“Come on,” I instruct her, holding out my hand. “Let’s get you off of your feet.”

“Yes, please.” She takes my hand, and I kiss her knuckles as I lead her to the couch and get her settled.

“I have food for you. Hold on.”

After grabbing the goodies from the kitchen, I return to her and watch her sigh in happiness.

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