Page 116 of Nanny for the Firefighter

“I mean…”

We both laugh, but I take him up on the offer, turning my back to Mason so that I can shuck the robe and get into the heavenly-looking water.

He takes the robe, folding it over the shower door that’s just to the right of the bath. As I step inside, the hot water eases my tension all the more, and the incredible smell surrounds me.

I can tell he must have used a matching set that came with the lotion and candle, too, and being coated in that wonderful aroma from every angle is just what my frazzled nerves need.

Leaning back in the tub, I feel Mason’s hand take my foot and begin rubbing.

“Oh, fuck. That’s too good. I’m never going to get out of here.”

He laughs, and when I look over at him, I can see the joy there for being able to do something nice for me.

“I’m fine with it. But you might get a little pruney.”

“That sounds more like a you-problem. I’ll be pruney all day, every day.”

With a giggle, I lean back again, closing my eyes and letting Mason’s strong hands work their magic.

And damn, do they.

Mason rubs away the aches and pains I forgot I had all the time, and the attention paid to my muscles is so soothing that I completely bliss out in the water.

The minutes drag on, and after a while, the bubbles are all but gone and Mason has rubbed my feet and legs so thoroughly that I’m afraid I won’t be able to walk.

Then Mason grabs the old-fashioned sponge from the bath tray and dips it into the water.

He meets my eyes when I sit up and look at him. “Relax, Songbird. I got you.”

The nickname is enough to get my brain thinking aboutotherthings as Mason runs the tan sponge over my arms and legs, rewetting it regularly in the hot water.

“That feels incredible, Mason. Thank you…for taking care of me.”

“Always, Songbird. Always.”

Mason gets me to turn in the tub, pushing the bath tray off to the far end. I lay my head on the small towel hanging on the ledge of the tub, sitting cross-legged.

The past few days have been so damn much, and I really wasn’t sure if I could keep going like this.

Being with Mason in his room, though, feeling him wash my back in the private, perfect bubble we’ve created, makes me truly believe that I can handle anything as long as he’s with me.

I sit up, looking Mason in the eye and putting my hands on either side of his face.

“Don’t leave me, okay?”

His expression softens as he sets the sponge aside and covers my hands with his own.

“Never. I promise.”

Smiling, my lips find Mason’s as I lean over the ledge. Kissing Mason feels like coming home, and I want nothing more than to enjoy a lifetime of it.

He slips his tongue past the seam of my lips, and I pull him closer, wrapping my wet arms around his neck.

In a flash, the air in the room changes, and suddenly, we’re both desperate for each other.

It’s like we have to be sure that the other person is there and that we’re together.

I know it’s the fear and uncertainty waiting for us outside this room, and I latch onto the feeling of Mason’s caresses with everything I have.

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