Page 62 of Allison

“You should take a hot bath,” he suggests softly, gently placing his hands on her biceps. She looks up at him startled as if she didn’t even realize he was in the room with her until that moment. Their eyes hold one another for a moment, then she’s in his arms holding him so tight, he isn’t sure he can breathe, but he’d never tell her. He holds her to him just as fiercely. Her body is shaking from her tears. “Shh, baby. You’re okay. I’ve got you.” He holds her until her tears subside. She suddenly jerks back from him.

“Shit! You left the tub running!” She exclaims running toward the bathroom. He follows behind to see the water is just reaching the top of the tub. Allison has shut off the water and is shaking the water from her hand. She turns to look at him wide-eyed. “That was close,” she breathes out.

They stare at one another for a moment, then Allison begins to laugh. He joins her with a chuckle. He walks over to pull the chain to the stopper, allowing it drain out some of the water. When he is satisfied she can get in without sloshing out the water, he replaces it again. Allison has calmed her laughter. Their eyes meet again that same feeling of connection wells within him. A feeling of rightness overwhelms him. He steps closer, noticing her breathing is getting faster as is the pulse at the base of her throat. He places his hand on the side of her face. His thumb grazing her chin back and forth, before he slides his hand to cup the back of her head and pull her closer.

Her hands come up to land on his chest, steadying herself. “What are we doing?” She looks up at him with such longing, but yet uncertainty. He doesn’t answer her, just pulls her closer to press a kiss to her forehead. His lips lingering a bit, enjoying the feeling of having her close.

“You are going to get your bath, sugar,” he says, answering, but yet, not answering her question as he releases his hold on her. “I’m going to take the luggage cart back down stairs, give you some time to yourself. What would you like to eat? I’ll go out and get us something and bring it back.” She continues to stare at him so long he thinks he has upset her in some way. “Or we could go out if you’d prefer?” She shakes her head.

“No. I…I don’t want to go out.” She heaves a huge sigh. “I’m not really in the mood for anything in particular. Whatever you want will be fine. Just…no sandwiches or cold soup, okay?” She shudders in such a way he instantly knows it has something to do with her being held captive. Just another reason to end those bastards.

“All right, no soup or sandwiches,” he agrees. “Enjoy your bath. I’ll be back soon.” He turns to go, but her voice stops him.

“Russell?”

“Yes, sugar?” He turns back to face her.

“Thank you, again for…for everything.”

“Anytime, sugar. Anytime.” He steps out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

40

ALLISON

Allison looks around the huge bathroom unsure what to do, now that Russell has left. The bath does look inviting. The room is warm and fragrant from whatever bath salts Russell put in the tub. She sighs again. She has never been an uncertain person, but after her kidnapping and subsequent release, she doesn’t know what to do with herself. It’s why she’d decided to leave San Diego for Jacksonville. She needed to be around people she trusts. Her family. Russell.

She must be crazy. It’s obvious she’d lost her mind while she’d been held captive. She’s known Russell forhardly more than a week, but he has become her lifeline. They’d really only spent a few days in each other’s company, yet, she needs him to feel safe, grounded. She shakes her head at the thought. He’s been so kind and considerate, but she shouldn’t depend on him like this. He isn’t looking for anything serious. They both knew that going into their little fling and yet she can’t help wanting more.

The whole time she’d been held captive, all she could think about was getting free so she could see him again. Once she’d been freed, he was the first person she’d called and he’d answered immediately. Not only did he answer, he loaded up and came to get her. Seeing him earlier in the airport had made her heart leap in her chest, when he held her, she’d felt safe and whole again. She hadn’t wanted to let him go, but she didn’t know where they stood. Could he possibly want more than the weekend they’d shared? Or was he just looking out for her because she was his teammate’s wife’s cousin?

Allison stifles a groan of frustration. She forces herself to push her worries aside for the moment and focus on the nice bath Russell has prepared for her. Slowly she strips off her clothes, letting them fall to the floor. She steps into the warmth of the water and sinks down to her chin, relishing in the comforting warmth.

Allison must have fallen asleep,because the next thing she knows, there’s a knocking sound startling her awake. She sits up suddenly causing the water to slosh over the side of the tub and into the floor. “Allison?” Russell’s voice comes through the bathroom door. “Is everything okay?”

“Uh, yeah,” Allison calls out. “I’ll be out in a minute.” She stands, grabbing a towel that is laying conveniently by the tub. She wraps herself up in the fluffy material. She dries herself off, suddenly realizing she doesn’t have any of her clothes in the bathroom with her. Well, it isn’t like Russell has seen every inch of her, tasted every inch of her.Ugh!She’s got to stop thinking about that.

She stares at her reflection in the mirror. Good grief she looks terrible, like yesterday’s trash. She looks more fatigued than she can ever remember being before and her hair is a tangled mess. She shouldn’t be worried about causing Russell to desire her. One look at her and there’s no way he’d get turned on. She snorts out a laugh, shaking her head. She heads for the door and opens it.

She comes to an abrupt halt when she nearly collides with Russell who is standing at the door waiting for her to emerge. “Oh!” she exclaims her hands flying up to catch herself, but she’d needn’t have worried. His arms come around her, pulling her into his chest. Allison’s towel comes loose where she’d tucked it into itself.

“Whoa, sugar,” Russell chuckles. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have been creeping outside the door, but you’d been in there so long, I was beginning to think you’d drowned.”

Alison smiles up at him. Her heart beating faster, desire swirling in her belly. Need stronger than she’s never felt before shoots through her. She wants him so badly. She needs him to make her forget the last few days. She raises up on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his. Russell’s arms tighten around her. His lips moving over hers. His tongue sweeps against her lips, begging entrance.

Allison opens. Her tongue sliding along his, dancing like long, lost lovers. Her arms go around his neck, pulling him closer, though they are already as close as they can get with only her towel and his clothes between them. His hands slip lower, cupping her ass, drawing a moan from her. She attempts to get her hands down to remove his shirt, but Russell is suddenly pulling away. Her eyes fly open, confusion and hurt hitting her.

“Wh-what’s wrong?” Allison asks. Russell steps back, releasing her. She clutches the towel to keep it from falling completely away from her body. She quickly secures it once more. Russell looks so conflicted as he stares at her.

“I’m sorry, sugar.” Russell runs his hand through his hair, looking away from her. “I shouldn’t have done that.” Allison rears back, suddenly angry with him for saying such a thing.

“What do you mean?” Allison demands. “Why would you say that?” Russell looks very uncomfortable. He turns away, which only increases the hurt she’s feeling over his actions. He has only come to get her out of loyalty to his friend, she concludes or maybe he came because he feels guilty for having sex with her at the wedding.

“You’ve been through hell, Allison,” Russell answers at last. Anger in his tone, as well. His back still facing her. “I shouldn’t be pawing at you like that.” His hands come up to both sides of his head as he lets out a sigh. “You should get some clothes on. I brought food back.” He takes a few steps away before throwing over his shoulder without turning to look at her. “I’ll be in the next room when you’re ready.” He departs then, leaving her feeling cold and alone.

Allison’s eyes drift closed. She works to calm herself and force the hurt of his rejection away. Russell has placed her suitcase on a stand at the foot of the bed. She opens it and digs around pulling out a pair of shorts and a tank top. She slips them on, foregoing a bra and panties, although she probably should have put them on after Russell’s dismissal, but if he isn’t interested then he shouldn’t care what she is or isn’t wearing.

She heads into the other room to find he has placed an array of Chinese dishes out on the small dining table. Allison walks over and takes a seat. She looks over the dishes. How did he know to get all her favorites? Did he text Emma and ask what she likes? Russell returns, placing an empty paper plate in front of her. Despite knowing it isn’t a good idea, she can’t keep herself from looking up at him. “Thank you,” she murmurs, dropping her gaze back to her empty plate.

---