Into the Tide (Cottonwood Cove #1)(46)

I leaned forward and kissed her forehead and her cheeks and her nose. I pulled back just a few inches from her face. “I’m sorry I didn’t get there sooner. I saw you go to the bathroom, and I was just coming to look for you when I heard Del shouting. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Her gaze searched mine. “Don’t do that. You got there just in time. This isn’t on you.”

Her voice cracked a little bit, and I pushed to stand before picking her up again and carrying her to the bathroom. She chuckled when I set her down beside the tub. “You don’t need to carry me everywhere, Bear. I’m fine. What am I doing in here?”

“I know you love taking baths, and I have a big tub, so I thought you might want to soak in it.”

She nodded. Hell, I’d been naked with this woman in the cove. She needed comfort, and I was going to give it to her. I raised her arms, and her eyes grew wide, but she held them there. I tugged the tank top over her head and reached around her back and unsnapped her pink lace bra with one hand. She sucked in a breath, and I just stared at her perfect tits. I wanted to wrap my lips around her hard peaks, touch her, make her feel good.

But that was not what this was about. And maybe the booze was making me think irrationally, but I needed to keep her close.

I dropped to my knees and reached for the button on her jean shorts. I could tell she was holding her breath.

“I’m not going to touch you, Snow. I’m going to get you in the tub and sit here with you, okay?”

“Okay,” she whispered, her fingers tangling in my hair.

I wanted her so fucking bad it was painful.

Physically painful.

My chest ached.

My hands itched to touch her.

I slid the denim down her legs and sighed when I took in the matching pink lace panties she was wearing.

So fucking perfect.

“I wore them for you,” she whispered as her fingers continued stroking my hair. “I wanted you to see me in this.”

I slid the lace down her legs, feeling every bit of her lean muscle beneath my fingertips. I leaned closer than I should have, my nose right at the apex of her thighs, and I breathed in all that sweetness. My restraint was slipping, and I struggled to stay in control. But I reached around her to test the water. I wasn’t going to respond to what she’d said right now because she’d just been attacked. And I was drunk and turned on, so I sure as shit wasn’t going to act on that right now.

I needed to get my head on straight and figure this shit out.

And that wasn’t going to happen tonight.

But leaving her wasn’t an option either.

I wouldn’t let her out of my sight.

“Come on. Let’s get you in the tub.” I reached for her hand as she stepped into the water, and I dropped on the floor with my back against the tub.

“Thanks, Bear.” Her voice was barely a whisper, and my gaze locked with hers when I looked over my shoulder.

“Always.” I cleared my throat and looked away again.

We sat there in silence for a long time. Obviously we were processing what had happened tonight.

“I’m ready to get out of the tub,” she whispered.

“Tell me what happened first,” I finally said.

“Del and I went to the bathroom, and when we came out, he was standing there. Before I could process what was happening, he slammed me up against the wall. I should have reacted quicker. I was caught off guard.”

My hands fisted at my sides, and I forced myself to remain calm and not react. She’d been through enough.

“This is not your fault in any way, shape, or form.” I turned around to look at her. There were no bubbles in the bath, and I tried hard not to stare at her gorgeous body beneath the water.

“I know. And it’s not yours either.” She pushed to stand and reached for a towel, and I moved to my feet, keeping my back to her. “Sometimes shit just happens. Everyone is fine, okay?”

This was so Lila—trying to soothe me when she’d been the one who’d been attacked.

She tucked the corner of the towel at her chest and started walking toward her room, and I followed. She moved to her bathroom, and a few minutes later, she came out wearing those sexy little shorts and a tank top. Her hair was tied in a knot on top of her head.

She climbed beneath her covers and stared at me as I stood in the doorway with my hands gripping the top of the door frame.

“You care if I stay for a little while until you fall asleep?” I asked, not knowing what the fuck I was thinking by pushing this. But I didn’t want to leave.

Hell, I couldn’t leave her right now if I wanted to.

And I didn’t want to.

“Yeah, of course.”

I flipped off the light and moved to the bed, kicking off my shoes and staying above the covers. The last thing I needed to do was feel her body against mine. At least the comforter provided a barrier. The room was dark aside from the sliver of moonlight peeking through the gap in the curtains.

“Are you staying above the covers on purpose?” she asked, and her voice was all tease as she scooched closer to me. I put my arm around her and tucked her head beneath my chin.

“Abso-fucking-lutely.”

She chuckled. “Thanks for staying with me.”

“Always.”

“I thought you might be going home with that woman who was hanging all over you.”