Page 96 of The Arrogant's Redemption

He stares at me, eyes shining.

"I want more of this too," he says.

Three hours later, I’m trying to gather the courage to take a bath. Since I usually eat dinner with Sedric around five-thirty, I leave my bath for right before bed.

It’s a habit I inherited from my mother: always going to bed clean.

It’s been two weeks since I stopped needing the nurse’s help to bathe—except for struggling with shoes or getting out of my panties, but I’ve been dreaming of a long bath for days, even though I know I can’t manage getting into the tub alone yet.

I walk to the bathroom and start undressing, left only in my bra and panties, staring frustrated at the tub.

Suddenly, I hear the bedroom door open.

"Alexis, I . . .”

LJ’s voice freezes when our eyes meet—and he sees me standing there in just white lingerie. At first, I feel embarrassed about the surgery scar—not about being half-naked in front of him. LJ knows my body better than any man ever will. That weekend we made love, we set records. We christened every room in his cousin’s house. But the shame over myimperfectiondoesn’t last long—because the way he looks at me, so hungry and primal, makes my knees go weak.

Lazarus

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

I notice her wobble slightly,so I take a step forward, wrapping my arms around her. "Are you okay?"

"I didn’t expect you to walk in."

"I came to tell you something."

"What?"

"We can talk about it later. Why were you staring at the tub like that, looking upset?"

"I’ve been dying to soak in it, but I’m afraid to risk it."

I carry her back to the bedroom and sit her on the bed. Then I pull my T-shirt over my head and step out of my jeans.

Alexis’s eyes go wide. "What do you think you’re doing?"

"Fulfilling my woman’s wish."

"I’m not your?—"

"Yes, you are. I don’t care how long it takes you to admit you’ve always been mine, but we both know it’s true. Now let’s get you in the bath."

"I’m not getting in the tub with you."

"I’m not going to pounce on you, if that’s what you’re thinking, Alexis."

"Then what are you planning?"

"To keep you safe and protected while you enjoy warm water and some bath bubbles."

I don’t wait for another protest. I walk into the bathroom, fill the tub with water at a pleasant temperature, then add the bubble bath liquid. Anyone watching me now would think I’m completely calm—but it’s all a lie. Just one look at the bulge in my boxer briefs—something I’m sure she noticed—is enough to prove otherwise.

When I came into her room without knocking, I’d only meant to invite her to dinner at my brother’s place. Seth is dating someone and thought it’d be easier to introduce Alexis in the company of another woman.

My parents have also been pressing to meet her, but I haven’t told them about Sedric yet. I wanted to talk to Alexis about it first. They know I’m in a serious relationship with someone from my past, but I haven’t mentioned our son.

Not in a million years did I expect to walk in and find her almost naked in the bathroom. It took everything I had not to take her right there.

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