Page 75 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

He climbed on the bed, lying on his stomach as he moved the pillow out from under his head.

The sound of the bedside table being opened had him tensing and rolling over to grasp her hand, but it was too late. Her eyes widened, locked inside the drawer where the photograph of him and Ana lay for the nights when he really wanted to punish himself.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he snapped, slamming the drawer closed.

“L-lotion. I was looking for lotion.”

All the easygoing energy was replaced with tension.

He sighed. “Bathroom sink.”

She darted into the en suite, coming out a moment later, eyes downcast, body rigid, holding a bottle.

“You don’t have to do this.”

“No, it’s fine. Just lie down.”

He blew out a breath and closed his eyes as her hands smoothed over his back. The lotion was cool, but her hands were warm and soft. She kneaded his neck. He groaned as she found the spot that had caused him so much trouble.

“That’s quite the knot.” Her magic fingers worked deeper into the muscle. Pain mixed with relief. “You’re really tense. Try to relax, okay?”

Nash attempted to do as she said, letting the tension leave his body with each swipe of her hand. Tingles raced from his skull to the base of his feet like she’d covered him with peppermint oil rather than regular lotion. Her touch soothed his muscles, turning him into a puddle of gratified groans and a firestorm of want. She worked his body over until every part of him was relaxed, except his cock, which was cutting into the bed.

“I wasn’t trying to snoop.” Her voice was soft.

“I know. I’m sorry.” He should explain some things about Anastasia to her, clear up the rumors she’d no doubt heard. But he wasn’t ready to broach that subject. Ana wasn’t something he spoke about with anyone.

“What got you into massage?” he asked.

“Well, you know I originally wanted to be a nurse.”

“Yeah, you told me.” It was obvious she liked to help people. If she wasn’t at her parents’ marina these past few months, she was helping Nova or baking with his mom.

“I wanted something that would still be in the healing field.” She got more lotion before continuing to work his lower back. “The classes were fun. And it got me out of the house. I feel terrible for saying that, but dealing with a toddler who screamed and cried eighty percent of his waking hours was a lot to handle—mostly by myself.”

“Your husband wasn’t around?”

Maybe he was a douche to her and that was why she was able to move on so quick?

“He was a professor at the school. So when he was at work, conferences, or staying late to grade papers since it was too distracting at home with Eli, I was the only one there. I don’t know how moms of multiples do it. I guess I’ll find out soon, huh?”

Nash stayed quiet, enjoying the supple pressure from her fingers. The slight graze of her hair across his skin. Her sweet scent coated his space, like she was marking it as her own.

Fuck, he wanted her so bad it hurt.

“In the end, being a nurse might have been more useful.” Her voice caught and it tore him up inside. What was her story? He wanted to know every part of her, but she’d want that in return. He wasn’t ready to face his demons.

So instead, he closed his eyes and leveled out his breathing, pretending to be asleep as her soft hands slipped from his body. He didn’t respond when she called his name. And he sure as fuck didn’t go after her when she left the room to draw her into his arms and give in to the want rising in him like a rogue wave, unforeseen and devastating.

34

ISABELLA

Isabella shifted on the freezing cold metal bench, trying to get some circulation to her ass. Next time, she’d bring a cushion to Eli’s game. But just getting out of the house and here on time had been a nightmare. Eli’d had a meltdown, not wanting to come and instead spend time searching eBay for a radio for his boat. After the cost of buying the thing, she really didn’t want to put any more money into it, especially since the fishing season was pretty much over.

Eli stood on the field with his head lowered, his attention focused on the game playing out in front of him. She sighed. At least he was here. She had to take that as a win. He was the one who’d wanted to play soccer, and yes, she’d encouraged it. So what had changed?

“Here you go. It’s loaded with sugar and hot.” Nova handed her a paper cup with steaming hot chocolate before she sat beside her. Ariel scooted between them and sat too.

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