Page 68 of The Texan's Secrets

“Yes.”

“At least you won’t get stuck with the repairs.” From what he could see, they were going to be extensive. “Is there anything else I can save from here?”

Emilia frowned as she looked around the sopping room. “The rest of her clothes in her closet, maybe. At least the ones that are still above water. She has some expensive outfits. But the bed, the dresser, the desk. It’s all going to be ruined.”

“Do you expect her home tonight?”

“Not anymore. Wherever they are, I’m sure they’ll stay put.”

“Maybe. But Chase is a rancher at heart. He probably drives a capable vehicle.”

“We could try emailing her. I know her address. Then again, she might not want to find out about all this until tomorrow.”

He agreed. “There’s nothing she can do tonight except worry.”

They waded across the room and gathered armloads of Paris’s clothes and stacked them in the living room. Afterward, they headed to the relative sanctuary of the top floor.

Emilia was soaking wet and starting to shiver.

“You need to get out of these wet things.” He tugged her sweater over her head.

“It looks like it’s ruined,” she noted, frowning at the misshapen knit.

“Worry about that later.” He stripped off her T-shirt and wet bra.

She sat down in an armchair and he draped an afghan around her shoulders. She held it close while he worked her out of the rest of her clothes.

“We should get into bed,” he said.

“You’re propositioning me?” She sounded incredulous through her chattering teeth.

“Only to warm you up,” he answered dryly, then urged her to standing and sent her in the right direction.

“I thought you were telling me disasters turned you on,” she said over her shoulder.

“I’m telling you your goose bumps and teeth chattering do not.”

She gave a short laugh at that as he helped her under the covers.

He pulled off his boots and his own wet clothes, then climbed in beside her, pulling her icy body against his warmth.

“How can you possibly be so warm?” she asked with a quaver in her voice.

“You’ve been wet longer than me.”

“Still.” She pressed tight against him. “This feels so good.”

“It does,” he agreed. Now that the danger was over and she was warming in his arms, he was getting turned on. How could he not?

He made sure there were no gaps in the covers, then rubbed up and down her arm to promote the circulation.

“So, where were you?” she asked, her voice sounding normal again. “When I called.”

“On my way home from RCW. I helped Rafe safely clear the customers.”

“I can’t even imagine the impact of the blackout, never mind the flood.” Concern came into her voice. “What about your place?”

“Don’t worry about me.” He kissed the back of her neck.

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