Unravel Me

That seemed to work. He lifted my hand, pressing a small kiss to the palm.

“Did you buy all this yourself?”

“Of course I did. Who else would?”

“I don’t know. I thought maybe you’d sent Paxton to do this.”

“Paxton?” His eyes widened in amusement. “He’s a great bloke and all but I don’t think he’d appreciate being sent out with a list of women’s clothes and beauty products to purchase.”

“Well, I mean, he drives you around. I just thought he—”

“He drives me around for work purposes, that’s all. He’s my security detail, not my errand boy,” he scowled, retreating a step behind his shield.

Dammit.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you can’t do things for yourself.”

Too late. The relaxed, sated aura dissipated. He stared at me blankly for a few seconds. The silence was deafening. I’d much rather he shouted or complained about whatever it was that bothered him. The quiet added layers of tension but this was his way. I’d be able to see through his cracks if I was patient enough. Of course, he could see through me with zero effort. The give and take was a delicate balancing act we were still figuring out.

“I’ll leave you to do whatever freshening you need. Come find me in the kitchen when you’re done.”

Without so much as a backward glance he walked out. I felt sick to my stomach. Deciding not to dwell upon his abrupt mood swing, I went into the bathroom. Lined up on the counter were a variety of my favorite beauty products. He remembered. I grabbed the bottle of almond scented bubble bath. Stripping out of my clothes, I filled the white stone bathtub until it almost overflowed. Settling into the warm soapy water, I leaned my head back. Another unpleasant replay of the week’s events consumed me. I had to stop thinking about it. All I wanted was to enjoy my time with Alastair. Nathan and those damn photos could wait. There was no way in hell I’d bring up the crazy accusation that his uncle hired a tabloid reporter to follow me. Not until I knew for certain.

“Room for one more?”

I jumped, opening my eyes. Alastair stood in the middle of the bathroom in all his naked glory. I took my time admiring every toned inch of him.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He climbed in and sat down facing me. “Come here.”

The egg-shaped tub was more than big enough for the two of us so I straddled his lap with my legs wrapped around his waist. He scooped a small handful of bubbles from my shoulder.

“I could smell this in the kitchen. I’m glad you like it.”

I cupped his jaw, kissing him. “Of course I like it. It’s from you.”

A little smile curved his mouth. “You don’t mind if I postpone breakfast a bit, do you? The thought of you sitting in here naked without me was distracting.”

“I don’t mind. You’ll have to feed me eventually though.”

Pulling him closer, I pressed our bodies together. This intimate skin-on-skin contact made us both shudder. Apparently the tense exchange by the closet was forgotten. I hugged him a little tighter, kissing his shoulder.

“You feel so good,” he murmured, sliding his hands down my back. I leaned back to look at him. “Don’t move. I want you close. I always want you to be close.”

“I want that, too.”

He squeezed my ass. “You’d better.”

“Hey.” I pulled back, greeted by a smug grin. “Watch your hands, chief.”

“Oh, I am.”

Another squeeze. I narrowed my eyes. “Enjoying yourself?”

“Quite. You have a nice, pert bum.”

“So, you basically interrupted my bath to cop a feel?”

“I’ll take what I can get. Although, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to shag you senseless right now.”

I laughed. “Shag? Honestly, you Brits are too polite.”

His dark, challenging stare quickened my pulse. “I can be impolite if you prefer.”

My skin tightened and warmed under the firm grasp of his fingers. He cupped my left breast, sealing his mouth around the nipple. It beaded under the warmth of his tongue. His other hand disappeared under the water. I jumped when his fingers slid between my legs.

“You can’t—”

“I’m not going near anything you don’t want touched. Trust me.” His hot, commanding stare burned through me. I twitched in his lap, eliciting a small moan from him. This connection, this intensity we shared scared me as much as it turned me on.

Circling both arms around my waist, he brushed his fingers over my tailbone. I shivered, amazed at how sensitive that area was for me.

“What this look does to me.” He traced one finger up my spine. “You own me with those beautiful amber eyes.”

On cue, my body woke with ravenous desire. I wanted him and his come-hither stare. Figures my hormones would rage when I was, for all intents and purposes, incapacitated in the sex department. A devilish grin curved his lips as he cupped my jaw.

“Close your eyes.”

I did, basking in the warmth of his skin on mine.

“Keep them closed,” he whispered.

The heat from his hands left my face. I swallowed, wondering where I’d feel them next.

I waited.

Nothing.

I’m an idiot for sitting here with my eyes closed.

“Want to know what I’m doing?” His low, raspy question tickled my neck. It startled me.

“No.”

He chuckled, pressing gentle kisses along my jaw, stopping at the corner of my mouth.

“You’re so soft and silky,” he whispered, gliding his lips down my neck. “And beautiful. And—”

“Alastair.”