Page 28 of Loving Justice

Setting the bucket and basket on the nightstand, when she turned back around his eyes were open and planted on her in question.

Swallowing against the constriction in her throat, she found the words to say, “Doc Lafferty said we needed to get you cleaned up.” Remembering how they’d swam in the water together made her skin heat.

“We?” The word was said with a deep husky tone.

“Well, just me.” She rubbed her palms together. They were like prunes after wearing gloves for hours.

He looked a bit awkward. “With all due respect, I can give myself a bath.”

Couldn’t he just make this easier?

“I know this is odd, a little anyway, but I think it’s best you lie still.” She thought he looked tired and disheveled. Although she didn’t know him very well, looking at him now, she realized how close to death he had been. Men had suffered far less of a traumatic injury and had died on the ranch. “I promise I’ll make this as quick and as painless as possible.”

He didn’t say a word, but just continued to stare at her. The pain meds had probably kicked in.

She dipped the soft washcloth into the water and wrung out the excess. Squirting a few drops of lavender soap onto the cotton made the body wash soapy. She contemplated where she should start and decided to go the most logical route: head to toes.

*****

At first, Jinx had thought he was dreaming because in what reality would Justice be giving him a bath?

But sure enough. Here she was, getting the washcloth all nice and sudsy.

She leaned over him and he caught her fragrance—a sweet cotton candy scent with a hint of orange. The pain medicine Doc had given him was mighty potent and he was a bit groggy, but that didn’t stop parts of him from responding. He was grateful the sheet covered that part of him. If this wasn’t humiliating enough that he needed Justice to wash him like he was a baby, if she were witness to how attractive he found her he’d never live it down.

As she washed his face—as gently as if she were polishing thin glass—pieces of her hair had come loose from the bun and had landed on his chest. Her firm breasts rubbed his shoulder, pressing against his solid muscle. He had to admit, the heat from the washcloth felt pleasant, but the closeness of her body was pure pleasure. He’d even forgotten about the pain in his leg.

She pulled back to rinse the cloth and he watched the water flow over her fingers and knuckles. She had nice hands. An image of her hands exploring his body took over every cell in his mind.

How could he even be thinking of sex at a time like this?

Easily. Justice was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes upon and her scent drove him wild. She caught him staring and he didn’t bother turning away or pretending he hadn’t been ogling her. His brain waves were relaxed as the medicine took effect.

"What happened out there?" she asked.

"Misdemeanor caught me. Luckily, I twisted just in time before he got my stomach."

She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth as she gently wiped his chest with the washcloth. Her touch was soft and caring. “You’re a very lucky man,” she said.

“I’m not sure luck had anything to do with it. If I were lucky, the bull wouldn’t have escaped through the gate in the first place.” He stared at her profile, examining her cute nose and the plumpness of her lips.

She tilted her chin, bringing her gaze to his. “Yes? Is there something wrong?” She seemed to take extra care with his stomach.

“Sorry that I’m staring, ma’am.”

“I’ve noticed that you do that often,” she said softly.

He shrugged his shoulder against the bed. What lucidity was left of his mind warned him to keep his thoughts to himself, but he’d never been a good listener. “I’m sure I’m not the first or the last.”

She moved the damp cotton over his stomach and to the edge of the sheet. A ragged breath caught his chest. She winced. “Did I hurt you?”

“It depends on how you define hurt,” he chuckled. Her cheeks flushed red as she avoided his gaze while rinsing the washcloth. “I’m glad I didn’t argue about you washing me too hard.”

“You’re quite the flirt. You have a lot of energy and spunk for a man who just about lost his life,” she said tartly.

"Give me a break. Almost dying shows you it's time to stop being shy."

She breathed deeply. "I never thought you were the shy type."

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