Long Road Home(44)

Inside was a king-sized bed, a chest of drawers and a dresser. Another door beckoned from the far side of the room, and when she walked into it, she saw it was the master bath. She gave an exclamation of pleasure when she saw the garden tub. A shower stood on the right of the tub, and catty-corner to the tub was a countertop with two sinks.

“Go put your things up,” Manny directed. “I’ll draw you a bath.”

She smiled. She couldn’t help but be warmed by his desire to take care of her. She went back into the bedroom and flopped her bag on the bed. Behind her, she heard the splash of water as Manny began filling the tub.

The bed looked inviting, so she sank down, pressing her hands into the soft comforter. She closed her eyes and lay back, letting her head fall back. It felt as though she were cushioned in the clouds. Such luxuries were as alien to her as a normal existence. And yet, here she was with Manny, seeming positively domestic.

She nearly laughed aloud at the absurdity of the facade. They could play house for a day or two, but in the end, the truth would rear its ugly head. And the worst part was how much she enjoyed the idea of setting up house with Manny.

A warm hand traveled up her leg, slid under her shirt and stroked her belly. She opened her eyes to see Manny staring down at her.

She started to get up so she could head into the bathroom, but he stopped her with his hand. He pulled her to stand beside him.

“Let me,” he said huskily.

A full-body shiver skated up her spine as his fingers tugged at her shirt. He pulled it over her head then let his fingers slide down her waist to her pants. He leaned in and nuzzled her neck as his fingers hooked into her waistband. Slowly, he eased the pants down her legs until she stood in only her underwear. With extreme care, he removed the bandage from her shoulder and feathered a finger over the small wound.

She trembled beside him, nervous, breathless, aching, wanting. When his hand slipped beneath the lacy scrap of her panties, she leaned toward him. He smoothed his palm over her bu**ocks as the underwear fell to the floor.

“Come here, baby,” he whispered, pulling her close to him.

Her bare flesh met his hard chest, and she wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders. She found herself swung upwards as he lifted her effortlessly.

“Manny, your arm!” she protested.

He ignored her and carried her into the bathroom. She gasped in surprise at what she saw. Manny had lit several candles and placed them around the tub, which was filled to the brim with foamy suds.

“The bathroom was well stocked,” he murmured.

“I see that. It’s beautiful, Manny. Thank you.”

She smiled up at him as he knelt forward to ease her into the tub. As the warm water licked over her body, she moaned.

“Oh my God, this is heaven.”

“No, I’m in heaven,” he corrected. “Come here.” He turned her so her back was to him, and he knelt on the floor beside the tub.

He dipped a large plastic cup into the water. “Lean back.”

She cocked her head back and he poured the water over her hair. He rinsed a few more times, then he reached for a bottle of shampoo sitting on the side of the tub.

A few seconds later, his hands dug into her hair as he began massaging the shampoo over her scalp.

She moaned in absolute ecstasy. Waves of pleasure radiated through her body as he soaped her hair. He took his time, lavishing attention on every inch of her head. He hadn’t forgotten how very much she loved to have her hair messed with.

Her muscles had as much tone as a jellyfish. She lay limply against the side of the tub, water lapping at her neck. In a few more minutes, she’d be comatose.

“Lean forward,” he whispered. “I’ll wash your back. I need to clean your wound.”

She obeyed and he began to carefully wash the still-tender area of her shoulder. Shampoo dripped from her hair and slid down her back as he massaged his way down her spine.

Again he dipped the cup into the water. She leaned her head back to keep the soap out of her eyes as he meticulously rinsed every strand.

When he was finished, he stood up beside the tub. “Wait right here. I’ll get a towel.”

He returned with a large towel slung over one arm. He reached his other arm down to help her out of the tub. She stood, water running down her skin, and stepped onto the bathroom floor.

He opened the towel and wrapped it around her, rubbing it over her body. When he was done, he secured the towel around her, tucking one end so it stayed up. Then he lifted her once more in his arms and walked into the bedroom.

He set her down on the bed, letting her legs hang over the side. With slow, gentle hands, he carefully unwrapped the towel. She felt him tense when his gaze swept over her nudity.

“Lean back and I’ll dry your hair,” he murmured. “Then I’ll get something to bandage you up.”

She closed her eyes as he massaged the towel through her hair. As his motion slowed, she felt his lips slide over her neck. Chill bumps raced down her arms, and a warm tingle began a slow boil in her stomach.

After a moment, he left her and returned a second later to secure a small dressing over her wound. Then she felt his lips press against the flesh just above the cut in a gentle kiss.

“I want to make love to you again.”

She let out a soft moan.

He let his hands slide over her arms down her waist to her hips. Then he circled around to her belly and let his fingers glide up to her br**sts. He cupped them in his hands, rubbing his thumbs over the points.