Luck of the Devil (The Forge Trilogy #2)(43)

I track him as he walks by me and back into the master bathroom before I turn around to survey this hidden gem. A small wall wraps around the outdoor lounge space, high enough to give some privacy for the tub, but it still allows a view of the sea beyond from the chairs. A small table sits between them, and on it rests a stubbed-out cigar in a crystal ashtray.

He sits out here at night? I had no idea he knew how to relax. Apparently, there’s a lot I still need to learn about Jericho Forge.

He returns with a towel and a robe. “How’s the water?”

I shake off my momentary stupor and reach over to put my hand under one of the three faucets. “Perfect.”

He nods. “It’ll fill quickly. There’s a remote for the jets, and even some color-changing lights built in if you want to get crazy.”

“I think I’ll pass on the lights tonight,” I say, and my voice doesn’t sound as desperate as it did before. Maybe he’s right. Maybe this is exactly what I need.

Forge hangs the robe and towel on a hook and disappears inside again. I check the water level in the tub and decide it’s deep enough, then quickly strip off my heels and dress before climbing in. The warm water covers my legs and comes almost up to my belly button already.

Absolute heaven. I close my eyes and lean my head back as it continues to fill.

“I’ve got some—”

My eyes spring open at the sound of his voice.

Forge’s broad shoulders fill the doorway and his white linen shirt hangs completely open, revealing his sculpted chest and the rippling muscles of his torso. Tan linen pants hang off his narrow hips, and I drag my gaze back up to his smoldering one.

My first instinct is to cover myself, but he’s already seen every bit of me. Hell, he’s touched it all too. And I want him to touch me again.

“I didn’t realize you were already . . .” He speaks slowly, as if choosing his words carefully before he trails off.

“It’s fine,” I say, squeezing my thighs together. “What did you have?”

He holds out the bottle. “Bath salts. I’ve never used them, but I thought you might like them.”

The tough-as-nails pirate of a CEO has bath salts in his cabinet . . . and he brought them out for me. I don’t know why his thoughtfulness should affect me so much, but it does.

“Thank you. I appreciate it. All of this, actually. And tonight, rushing to Alanna’s rescue.”

He shakes his head, his dark locks catching on his collar as he steps forward. “It was nothing.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. It wasn’t nothing. It was everything. Thank you, Jericho.”

“You’re welcome,” he says, the words clipped as he hands the jar to me. “Do you need anything else before I go?”

One day at a time, I remind myself. One day at a time. So, why not end today the way I want and let the chips fall where they may tomorrow?

“Yes.”

“What?”

“Will you join me?”





43





Forge





I can’t say no to her. Not when her tanned skin is washed in the glow of moonlight, making her look like a goddess reclining in her bath. And definitely not after I felt her tremble in my arms earlier, and I would have promised her anything to get her to stop.

I meant what I said. I can shoulder her burdens. They’re nothing compared to the weight I’ve carried all these years.

“Are you sure?”

“Please.”

Fuck. Hearing that word on her lips kills me. I have to count down from a hundred as I strip off my shirt and pants to try to keep my dick from rising the way it wants to.

While I gave her privacy to undress, she doesn’t do the same. No, she watches my every movement.

I’ve always kept my body strong, toned, and fit so there was no job I couldn’t tackle aboard ship, and the discipline and routine it took became part of my life. It was never to get women—because that was never a problem—but now I’m grateful that Indy likes what she sees.

She scoots forward in the water, one arm lifting to cover her breasts, and I step into the tub behind her. It’s big enough for four people, but I’ve only used it once, when I was nursing bruised ribs from intervening in a fight.

I sit down and lean against the curved back edge. My weight causes the level of the water to rise. Indy scoots back between my spread legs, and like it’s the most natural thing in the world, I slide an arm beneath her breasts and pull her closer.

“Lean back. Just rest.”

Her stiff posture relaxes as she follows my orders. Together, we watch the stars twinkle in the sky and the moon reflect on the rippling surface of the Mediterranean.

When the tub is full, I turn off the water and reach for the remote to engage the jets.

“Whoa!” Indy bounces up onto my lap as bubbles fill the water.

“I can turn them off.”

“No, I just wasn’t ready. It’s nice. This is all . . . really nice.” She leans back against me again, and I thread my fingers through hers.

“I agree.”

Several moments of silence pass. I let my mind wander, and of course it goes right to the woman reclined against me. My own frame relaxes in the water, and a feeling of contentment unlike anything I’ve ever experienced settles over me. This is more than nice. It’s . . . a revelation.