Page 140 of Time Stops With You

I block out those thoughts, but they hiss and swirl at my feet like black smoke.

Bracketing his hand on either side of me, Cullen places his face right in front of mine.

My heart slams against my ribs, aching to get out. His eyes look tired, but they’re still that vivid, moonlight silver. I’m so distracted by them that I miss the sight of his fingers tugging at my ponytail holder. I stop him with a gasp and secure the clip again.

“Take it off, Nardi,” Cullen says calmly, sending the heat in my blood to a bubbling lava level.

My breath escapes thick and heavy.Take what off? My robe?

Cullen suddenly straightens up and folds the sleeves of his crisp white shirt. “Your clip. Take it off. I’m going to wash your hair.”

Fifteen

CULLEN

I turn on her shower, noticing the way it gleams. The bathroom has been scrubbed clean. Probably Ashley’s doing.

The hiss of the overhead faucet spraying water into the tub gives me somewhere neutral to focus my attention. Sticking my hand under, I let the cold water remain for a bit and strangle myself with patience, trying to keep control of my body.

I’m on a cocktail of medication and Nardi’s wrist brace isn’t due to come off until tomorrow. Even when we’re both in no shape to enjoy each other, I’m three seconds away from unzipping my trousers and exploring what’s beneath that soft, fluffy robe of hers.

“How’s your wrist?” I ask, still facing the tub.

I hear Nardi slide off the counter. Her feet hit the ground with a soft thud. She walks closer and I can’t breathe.

“Are you okay?” she asks, sounding both frustrated and concerned.

“I asked first.”

“I heard you were in the mountains,” she says.

“I heard you called Sara.”

“You didn’t answer any of my messages.”

The heat in her voice makes me turn to look at her. But only at her face. I’m not an idiot. That robe is messing with me. The way it hugs her curves is a giant temptation.

“Was something wrong?”

Her eyebrows hunker low over her brown, doe eyes. “You left me with all those documents and disappeared. What was I supposed to think?”

“You were worried about me?”

Her frown intensifies. “Don’t patronize me, Cullen. I thought you were…”

“Dead?”

She wraps her arms over her chest and looks away, her jaw muscles working.

“I’m not dead yet,” I assure her.

“Obviously.”

I smile. “Disappointed?”

“More like annoyed.”

“Sorry.” I dip my head in mock reverence. “Next time, I’ll be sure to hand over my company in a way that won’t cause you concern.”

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