Page 74 of Lime Tree Hill

But on the fourth morning, his invitation to shower with himadded another dimension to their increased intimacy. In some ways, Tayla wished she had the courage to invitehiminto the shower, rather than the other way around. But until they took that final step in the dance, she wanted him to lead.

They stood under steam-covered light, his biceps and the swell of well-defined pecs glistening with bodywash. Tayla had never showered with Hayden. Too tempting, he’d said. Now, with Mitch’s hungry eyes watching her and his growing erection in her peripheral vision, she turned in hesitation, resting her arms above her head as he ran a soapy sea sponge along the length of her spine.

“Does that feel good?”

She leaned her forehead on the wall, closing her eyes as he crouched behind her and washed her butt and legs. “So good,” she whispered.

“I’m glad. Some women are so self-conscious about their bodies. They can’t relax when they’re naked.”

Despite being teased about her flat chest in high school, Tayla had never felt self-conscious about her body. It was what it was. A body that stayed fit and lithe. She looked over her shoulder at him and flashed a half-smile. “You think I’m relaxed?”

“Probably as much as I am. So that would be a no.”

“If I wasn’t a virgin, would you hold back?”

Mitch dropped the sponge and slipped his hand around her waist. His lips found her ear. “I thought that’s what you wanted, to take it slow.”

“It is, but?—”

One hand slid between her legs, firm on her inner thigh. Tayla closed her eyes, held her breath as his body brushed against her.

“You want more?”

“Yes.” She rested her head against him, the word a whisper to herself.

He gently slipped a finger inside. “How much more?”

“Oh…there. Just there!” She moved against him in a rhythm formed by instinct.

“You want me to make you come?” he asked, his breath hot on her ear, his erection hotter against her butt.

“I—”

A loud banging on the entry door made them both freeze. “What was that?” she whispered.

Mitch listened for a moment.

“Boss? Are you there?” Ned’s voice boomed from the living room. “There’s a problem with the conveyer belt. You’d better come take a look.”

“What the hell?” Mitch removed his hand slowly. “Does the guy have no boundaries?”

“Didn’t you lock the door?”

“No. I never do.” He slapped her playfully on the butt, cut the water, then reached for a towel and wrapped it around his waist. “I have to go. Raincheck?”

“What? No!”

With Mitch gone, Tayla rested her head on the tile wall, lightly banging against it several times as she cursed under her breath. Maybe Mitch had planned it all along—told Ned to interrupt so his lessons of love held drama, want, and intrigue.Men!

“Just shoot me now,” she murmured under her breath as she turned the water back on. She hadn’t even rinsed the conditioner out of her hair.

Ruby:How’s work going?

Tayla:Good. Busy. Just grabbing a coffee.

Ruby:Have you done the deed with that hunk of a husband yet?

Tayla:Currently experiencing frustration overload.

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