Page 76 of Tackle

He shrugged, his cheeks turning pink. “I figured you’d need something nice after the day you had.”

She went to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you.”

Still looking a bit embarrassed, he said, “The water’s getting cold.” He pulled her tee over her head. “Peel out of those jeans and hop in the tub. I’ll go pour you a glass of wine.”

“Wine too? You spoil me.”

He ducked out of the bathroom, and kicking out of her jeans, she pulled off her bra and panties and stepped into the tub. The water was hot. The kind of hot that took a moment to get used to, but once you did, it felt like heaven.

Oz returned, handing her a nearly full glass.

“You’re not going to join me?” she asked before taking a sip.

He eyed her and then the tub, chuckling, “Not sure how I’d exactly fit.”

Well, darn. She hadn’t thought of that. The tub was a bit cramped, even for her.

He did the next best thing, sitting on the rim, leaning over her. He ran his fingers through her hair, tucking the stray locks behind her ear.

She took a sip of wine and closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth from the water and the man beside her. “Tell me about your day. Even though you were at the pub, I feel like I barely saw you.”

Oz grabbed a bar of soap, lathered his hands then smoothed them up her arm, leaving goose bumps in their wake. “I talked to Nora. She wants to come here to meet me.”

Emerson’s eyes snapped open and she angled her head to look at him. “That’s a big step. Are you ready for that?”

“I told her maybe once the season ends.” He rubbed soap over her shoulder then across her chest. It was distracting, but the conversation was important so she forced herself to stay focused.

She grinned. “Once you guys win the Super Bowl?”

He grabbed her finger and nipped the tip before kissing it. “That’s still a game away.” But he was smiling when he said it.

Turning serious she said, “I feel bad I can’t be there for the Championship game.”

Oz cupped her cheeks. “We’ve talked about this already. There’s nothing to feel bad about. You’ve got a lot on your plate with Matt going to that wedding and now, you need to add dealing with the health department on top of that.”

“I know. But Ivy’s going to be there for Colt and they’re not even together anymore. I feel like a bad girlfriend.”

“First of all, while it wouldn’t suck to win, Colt is way more emotionally invested in this game than I am. He’s got some bee up his butt to win the Super Bowl.”

“Yeah, Ivy was telling me. Do you know why? Ivy hasn’t a clue but maybe if she knew, they could work out their problems.”

“I don’t know why. But even if I did, we couldn’t tell her. It’s something she needs to hear from Colt. We can’t get involved.”

“Deep down, I know you’re right. I just feel awful for her. She tries to hide it but I can see how much she’s hurting.”

“If it’s meant to be, it will work itself out.”

“Well, I’ll be there for the Super Bowl. I already talked to Matt and told him he needed to work that weekend. Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.”

“Anything can happen between now and then, so don’t get too excited.”

She knew Oz was superstitious and talking about the Super Bowl was putting him on edge. She reached a hand behind his head and pulled him to her instead. Their lips touched and that was all it took for the kiss to grow heated.

God she loved this man.

Long minutes, hell, maybe hours, passed before a soft tapping caught her attention. She turned to see her wine glass, half submerged but floating, knocking against the side of the tub. “I spilled my wine.”

He tenderly kissed her one last time. “I’ll go get you more.”

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