No Place to Run (KGI #2)(29)

“Go on, Sam, before the poor thing falls over. Garrett and Donovan can tell me all about it while you’re up taking care of your responsibilities.”

She pinned Sam with a stare that probably made all her sons quake in their boots.

Sam threaded his hand through Sophie’s and pulled her away from his mother. She wanted that bath. Really wanted it, but she couldn’t imagine how she’d manage.

“Maybe I should take a shower instead. I’m not sure I’d be able to get out of the tub once I got in.”

Her face tightened, and she looked around to make sure no one had overheard her.

Sam smiled, easing the lines around his eyes.

“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll help you in and out.”

Her eyes widened. “Oh.”

He cocked one eyebrow at her. “I’ve seen you naked, Sophie.”

She valiantly tried to control the rush of heat creeping up her neck.

He smiled again and then moved to the side of her and lifted her into his arms.

“I can walk.”

“I know. But you’ll put less stress on those wounds if I carry you.”

With that, he headed for the stairs, striding past his family as if they weren’t even there. She refused to make eye contact with any of them. She had no desire for their judgment.

When they reached the bathroom, he flipped on the light and set her carefully on the counter so that her legs dangled over the edge. Then he reached over to turn on the water in the big garden tub.

Soon steam rose and she was salivating. She hurt with how badly she wanted that tub full of hot water. She twitched with impatience, watching as the level slowly rose.

“I’ll help you get undressed then I’ll get you in the tub. I’ll leave you for as long as you want to soak, and when you want to get out just call for me, okay?”

She nodded, too tongue-tied to get words past her lips. He was right. He’d seen her naked. He’d seen her wanton. He’d seen her as indelicately as a man could ever see a woman. There wasn’t an inch of her body he hadn’t explored, and vice versa. So why was she acting so maidenly now? She was pregnant with his child, for God’s sake.

But then there hadn’t been exposed lies between them. No exposed secrets. They’d just been two lovers so wrapped up in each other that the outside world hadn’t been able to intrude.

“Soph?” he called softly.

She blinked and refocused on him. His fingers were in the waistband of the too large pair of sweats. He was making sure she was okay with it, and for some reason that softened her heart.

“Let’s get this over with. I want to get into that tub so bad, I’d crawl in fully clothed.”

He chuckled and slid the pants down until they gathered around her ankles. With a gentle tug they were gone, and he dropped them on the floor.

“I’m going to put you down and then we’ll get you out of your shirt.”

She gave a groan of protest when her feet hit the floor. She didn’t have it in her to stand. Fatigue edged out the pain by a ratio of at least ten to one. Pain had nothing on her desire to sleep. For a year. Pregnancy was exhausting enough. Add in running cross-country, taking multiple dips in the lake and avoiding ass**les with knives and guns?

“I got you. Hold still. I’ll try not to move your arm too much.”

She stared straight ahead as he maneuvered the shirt from her body, and suddenly she was completely nude in front of him. She hated how vulnerable and naked she felt.

Dumbass, you are naked.

Thankfully he didn’t waste any time. As soon as she was free of her clothing, he turned to help her into the tub. She put one leg in and moaned as the hot water slid up her skin.

“Oh God.”

“That good huh?”

“Oh God yes. I’ve never had anything so good in my life.”

She gingerly sank down, holding on to his hand. Her body shrieked in protest, but she didn’t care.

The water lapped to her chin, and she tilted her head back, closing her eyes. Oh sweet heaven.

Sam leaned down and gently tapped her chin until she opened her eyes again.

“Call me if you need me, okay?”

She nodded sleepily as the warmth swam intoxicatingly through her veins.

He turned to go, and she suddenly remembered what she’d wanted to ask him for.

“Sam?”

He turned, holding on to the door edge. “Yes?”

She shifted uncomfortably, seeking more of the water.

“Is there any way possible I could get some underwear? I hate to ask, but going without a bra sucks when you’re pregnant. I mean my boobs are huge now and they’re sensitive—”

She could see the very male shudder work over him. His eye practically twitched at the mention of underwear and bras.

“I’ll get it for you. Don’t worry.”

She smiled, feeling warmth that had nothing to do with bathwater flash over her. “Thank you.”

SAM stepped out of the bathroom and rubbed the back of his neck. Sainthood. He deserved sainthood. Not only had he stood in the bathroom with a very gorgeous, very naked woman, but he’d calmly discussed getting her things like a bra and underwear without batting an eyelash.

Give him bombs, grenades, blood, guts and gore, but bras?

Jesus.

Now, where the hell was he going to get her a bra?