Page 23 of So That Happened
‘I wanted to make sure you didn’t get dizzy and bash your head,’ he said, obviously battling to keep the wry expression off his face and failing spectacularly.
She would never live this down. Never. She knew it. He was going to remind her of her stupidity at every opportunity he could find before he moved on. ‘Well, as you can see, I made it okay,’ she said, her tone snappy and defensive.
‘Why are you so cross with me?’ He seemed genuinely surprised by her anger.
She wasn’t being fair, punishing him for things he hadn’t even done yet. Sighing, she rubbed a hand over her eyes and sat on the edge of the bath before her legs gave way. ‘I’m angry with myself for being such an idiot. I can’t believe you had to come out and rescue me. It’s pathetic.’ She looked at him directly and frowned at his reaction. ‘Why are you smiling?’
‘Because I knew you’d act like this. You don’t strike me as the sort of person who’d tolerate being a damsel in distress.’
Her shoulders slumped. ‘Let’s put it down to a lapse in judgement. I don’t know what’s got into me lately.’
‘Those mistakes just keep happening, huh?’
‘Yeah.’ She took a deep breath, blinking back tears that had come out of nowhere.
He frowned and took a step backwards. ‘Right, well, I’ll go and make up a salt solution for you to drink while you’re in there. You need to replace your fluids.’
Turning briskly, he marched out, leaving her staring after him.
* * *
Connor took the stairs two at a time in an effort to get away from Josie as fast as he could.
His hands shook as he measured out the salt and water for her rehydration drink – half a teaspoon to one litre of water, and a dash of orange to disguise the taste.
The vision of her in just her underwear was still emblazoned on his eyes and no matter where he looked, there the image was.
The sight of her breasts practically spilling out of that see-through bra had nearly sent him over the edge. He’d wanted to touch her. To release her from the restricting cups, slide down that scrap of lace that passed for her knickers and leave her totally exposed to his hungry gaze.
Under the circumstances, he knew how inappropriate his reaction had been, but he hadn’t been able to help himself. He was a red-blooded male who hadn’t been near a woman for the past nine months. Surely it was to be expected?
He sighed, low and long, exhausted from the walk back with Josie in his arms and the monumental battle to keep his libido under control. He was desperate for a nap, but he knew he needed to get fluids into her before she slept. Dehydration was a dangerous beast.
It had been a shock to find her in such a state. When he’d first seen her, for one awful minute he’d thought he was too late. She’d been lying in a heap, as if passed out, her sundress splayed around her, a splash of white in the surrounding lavender fields. The relief at finding her still conscious had been acute, and the adrenaline rush had stayed with him for most of the walk back.
Just now, when her face had fallen and she’d looked close to tears, he’d had to make a sharp exit. If he’d moved towards her instead of out through the door who knew what would have happened?
Tossing the spoon into the sink, he took another couple of seconds to compose himself. He was so unused to actively battling his reactions it had him freaked, and he didn’t want Josie picking up on it. They were already walking a very fine line between friendly acquaintance and something dangerously intense. Just one tiny push from her would have him in free fall, and this was not the time for him to lose his fragile grip on control.
He carried the glass of liquid carefully upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door. He didn’t wait for her response and walked straight in, keeping his eyes down to protect her modesty as well as his state of mind.
‘Don’t worry, I’m not staying.’
‘I’m not worried,’ she said, her voice strained.
He felt her take the glass from his outstretched hand and turned back towards the door. He was twitchy, and desperate to get out of there, but he wanted to check she was over the worst.
‘So how are you feeling now? Any dizziness? Irregular breathing?’ He heard the swish and splash of water as she stood and stepped out of the bath.
‘No,’ she said.
Her voice was softer than before. Was that shame he could sense in her tone? He felt suddenly protective of her. She must have been terrified out there on her own. People misjudged the danger of being out in the heat all the time, thinking they were okay right up until it was too late.
‘Good. It sounds like you’re recovering okay. You’ll need to rest up and sleep it off. You’ve put your body through quite an ordeal.’
There was a pause.
‘Connor?’
