Page 47 of A Quarterback for Christmas

“I’m fine.” My mouth is barely working properly, but my coyness doesn’t make her hesitate. She pushes her panties off and lifts her good leg over the lip of the tub with a raised brow.

“Are you going to help me in or not?”

I stand, staring at the wet floor tile because I refuse to look anywhere near Bella’s hot, naked body. Last time I saw her by accident, but this time, she’s offering herself up on a platter, and I’m unsure how to respond.

Somehow, I manage to look her in the eyes without seeing anything and walk toward her. Still staring, she crosses her legs, and a small smirk grows on her face because I think she likes that I’m hesitating. Bella’s a control freak like that.

I switch my brain off when I slip my hand under her knees and rest her against my chest. I need to think about things like ice-cold showers, and my teammates' hairy asses to stop from getting a boner. Slowly, I dip her down into the water, taking my time because she can’t have another injury. As the bubbles surround her naked body, I hold her leg up, keeping the cast dry, and place the boot on the edge of the tub.

Taking a step back, I admire her as she watches my every move. Damn. Even with that snot-colored cast, she looks hot in the tub.

“Where are you going?” She innocently asks as I walk to the door. “You can’t leave me here.” I halt but focus on the sheets in my bedroom because if I turn and look at her, I’ll be tempted to do things I shouldn’t.

A sloshing noise follows her movement, and I cringe, hoping she’s not getting that cast wet. “I wanted to give you some privacy,” I grit out, standing on the threshold.

“Why? It’s not like you haven’t seen it all before. And you’re wet from putting me in here. You might as well join.”

“I’m good,” I quip. I’m determined to leave Bella there before I let her see my boner.

“Come on, D. I’ll need help to get out of here, anyway.”

I bite down on my tongue and close my eyes. She’s making rational thinking awfully hard, and when I look over myshoulder, all my resolve drifts away, sinking into the bubbles. Bella is in the tub, with her leg up high and her fingers dragging across the rim, watching me with a hooded glare. I’m not sure if many people would find a neon green cast attractive, but apparently, I do. It’s almost giving me the same vibes as her wearing my jersey.

“Please, Drew. Help me.”

“Sure.” Much like the words rolling off my tongue, my legs move with their own volition. I’m in a pair of board shorts and back in the bathroom with a grinning Bella before I can change my mind.

Bella’s smile grows when she sees me at the door, and she shuffles her body forward so there is enough space for me. Well, I guess she thinks that’s enough space. I’m a big guy, and I know in this position there will be some skin-to-skin contact.

“You joining?” Her eyebrow arches in question, and I raise my shoulders, taking a deep breath.

Now or never.

I take a few more steps toward a beaming Bella and carefully step into the hot bath. The minute my big toe penetrates the water, I know this is a bad idea, but I keep going, letting my whole foot enter and then step in with my other foot.

Bella squeezes her shoulders together, giving me space to spread my thighs on either side of her, and when they are snuggly resting next to her, she relaxes her naked back onto my body. Dipping her chin, she rests her head against my chest, and I’m left gripping the sides of the bath, tortured by the scent of her strawberry shampoo.

With her eyes closed, she lets out a soft moan, tilting her head to the side as though I’m pleasuring her. She’s acting like it’s a perfectly normal occurrence for us to be nearly naked in a tub together.

Rocking her head from side to side, a warm feeling grows in my chest.

Fuck. This feels so good.

Her hands brush against mine, causing my skin to goosebump, and I thank god I had the sense to put my board shorts on. The restrictive netting gives me just a little ounce of dignity and hopefully holds back my growing erection.

“How are you doing back there?” I can hear the humor in her voice. I’m glad one of us is finding this whole situation funny.

“I’m fine,” I retort.

Her delicate fingers emerge from the water, and she plucks a soap bar from the side dish before turning her face in my direction. Her nose tickles my chin, and I swear she nuzzles it. “Could you help?”

What. The. Actual. Fuck?

I gulp. What the hell are we doing, and is this some kind of sick prison guard game where she makes me drop the soap?

“Huh?”

Smooth move, Drew. Smooth.

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