Page 34 of Falling for His Best Friend

Lord knew, neither of his parents seemed to be able to manage it. Why would he be any different? But for the first time ever, the idea of waking up every day with a woman in his bed, in his arms, didn’t frighten the life out of him.

He knew the reason was because of the woman.

This wasn’t about him and his failings—Kitty made him want to try to be a better man. He wanted to try to be the man she needed.

He wondered if that was even possible for him. Could he be that man? What would Kitty think? Could he risk finding out? Should he take a chance?

But before he had time to answer his own question, Kitty had moved away from him.

‘Ouch! The baby just kicked my bladder,’ she said as she pushed back the covers and climbed out of bed. Cool morning air rushed under the sheets. Kitty had taken her warmth, and his chance, with her, leaving him with a missed opportunity and an ache in his groin.

She disappeared into the bathroom without a backward glance and he wondered if the baby was really causing problems or if Kitty had just needed an excuse to get out of bed.

* * *

Kitty wished she’d been brave enough to take a chance. To roll over when she’d wanted to, before the baby’s mistimed kick had connected with her bladder and given her no choice but to get out of bed.

Perhaps it was just as well, she thought as she closed the bathroom door. She didn’t think she could stand being rejected again. She felt as though she’d only just recovered her equilibrium after their almost-kiss.

She needed time to cool down, to collect her thoughts. She turned on the taps in the shower and stepped under the spray. She imagined she could still feel the imprint of Joe’s arm around her, of his hand resting on her belly, before the water washed it away.

She ran her soapy hands over her breasts, imagining how it would feel to have Joe touch her. To have Joe’s fingers on her breast, his tongue on her nipple…

God, she was aroused. Her hormones were driving her crazy.

She breathed out, battling to get herself under control. Her imagination wasn’t helping.

Perhaps she’d have to rethink her offer to stay and help him. She’d been mad to think she could handle it. But there was no getting out of it this morning. She’d have to manage for at least one day. She needed to get herself together and work out how to control her impulses before they got her into trouble.

She rested her hands on the cool tiles on the wall and let the water run down between her shoulder blades while she forced her mind to go blank.

She stepped out of the shower, dried herself and pulled her T-shirt back over her head. She had nothing else to put on and didn’t think it was wise to come out of the bathroom wrapped only in a towel. She stepped into her underwear. Her clothing wasn’t much of a defence against her rampaging desire, but it was all she had.

Joe hadn’t moved. He was still lying in bed when she returned from the bathroom. His chest was bare, tanned and smooth. Her pulse quickened and heat flushed her cheeks.

Her gaze flicked down before she could stop herself, following the line of his sternum, down the centre of his abdominals before it stopped at the bed sheet that was pulled up to his hips. She still didn’t know if he was naked under the sheet. Surely he couldn’t be. He wouldn’t have come to bed wearing nothing. More’s the pity.

But wondering about Joe’s state of undress was not the way to get herself under control. She needed something to keep her mind occupied.

‘Do you want to shower?’ she asked quickly. ‘I’ll waterproof your arm for you if you like.’

‘Sounds good,’ he said as he rolled out of bed. His abdominal muscles rippled as he lifted his head, and Kitty held her breath as the sheet fell away and he swung his legs out of bed to stand up.

Kitty’s eyes dropped lower. She couldn’t help herself.

He was wearing boxer shorts.

Her disappointment was abated a little by the impressive bulge in his shorts.

She swallowed uncertainly and took a step back. Not that she was standing too close, but it was instinctive to try to put some space between them. Some physical distance. His semi-nakedness was making her nervous. She wasn’t sure exactly how she was going to keep her hormones in check and fight the attraction if they were going to be in such close proximity for the next few weeks.

She got busy fetching a plastic bag and tape to protect the splint on his arm from the shower spray. She really should be protecting herself. She couldn’t afford to cross the line. Joe’s friendship was far too important.

She sat next to him on the bed. So much for keeping her distance—she could feel the heat radiating off him, and she could smell the sleepiness of his body. It was a warm, familiar scent.

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