Slade (The Protectors #6)(69)

“No problem.” Steve reached down, squeezing Jill’s shoulder. “I’ll check on you later.”

Jill nodded, then heaved again. Slade grabbed a washcloth with his free hand and wet it with cold water. Laying it across the back of her neck, he rubbed her back as she continued to dry heave. Jill reached for the washcloth bringing it around to her face as she sat back on the floor.

“Better?” Slade knelt in front of her. The bathroom was so small; he had to wedge himself between the toilet and wall.

“No.” Jill wiped her face, and then rubbed the washcloth across her teeth. Turning on her knees, she curled up and lay on the floor, placing her cheek against the cold tile. “I know this is gross, but it feels so good.”

Spotting the small red blisters on her hand, he picked it up to take a closer look.

“I burnt myself with the coffee.” Her voice cracked, “I’m sorry, Slade. I didn’t mean to embarrass you. I will never ever drink again. This seriously sucks.”

Slade kissed her hand and ran his tongue over the blisters to hurry the healing. “You could never embarrass me, Jill.” He reached up and turned the shower on. “Piss me off maybe, but never embarrass me.”

“Really?” Jill squinted up at him from the floor.

“Yeah, really.” He helped her sit up. “You think you can stand?”

“I feel a lot better.” She replied, keeping her eyes closed. “I want to brush my teeth.” She frowned, letting him help her stand. He moved her in front of the sink and stood behind her as she brushed. He took off his shirt, then his black combat pants.

Jill’s bloodshot eyes watched him in the mirror.

Slade laughed at the question in her gaze. “I’m going to help you shower, nothing else.” Slade turned her, pulled her shirt off and frowned at the stripper outfit she still wore. Even though she looked f*cking hot, he couldn’t shake the thought of her lap dancing for another man. It was enough to make him crazy with rage, but he forced himself to remain calm. She didn’t need that; plus, he knew why she had done it.

“Wait a minute,” Jill hissed when he tried to remove the skimpy top. “They had to tape it ‘cause I kept falling out of it.”

Slade found the tape and gently removed each strip, not wanting to hurt her. While he was doing that, she had already toed her pants off, leaving only her white boy shorts. He hooked his thumbs in and pulled them down where she could kick them off herself. Wrapping his arm around her, he tested the water before helping Jill in. He steadied her as she leaned her head back, letting the water wash over her face.

Her moans of pleasure made him hard; there was no hiding it. He knew it was a healthy reaction, but he didn’t want Jill to think he was a pervert trying to take advantage while she was sick, so he moved his lower half away from her. Handing her the soap, he figured it was best she cleaned herself. The thought of his hands sliding over her slick body was too much to ask of him and his control.

He kept one hand on her waist. The other gripped the wall to keep it off her body as his eyes watched her soapy hands run over her body. His eyes lifted to hers. She was watching him watch her. His hiss echoed in the room when she reached out with her slick hand, grasping him.

“No,” he hissed again when she squeezed. “You’re−”

“Fine now.” Jill’s eyes pleaded. “I need you, Slade. My emotions are all over the place, but I know I need you like I never have before.”

Slade reached out, cupping her face. “Not as much as I need you, Jillian.” He leaned in and their mouths touched with a tenderness Slade had never experienced with a woman. He had never actually made love to a woman; f*ck women, yes, but as he picked Jill up, he knew he would be making love for the first time in his life to a woman who held his soul in the palm of her hand.

Chapter 20

Jill headed toward the kitchen after a night of absolute horror and bliss. After his tender lovemaking in the shower, Slade carried her to her bed where they lay and talked for hours. He held her while she slept and woke her up for another round of what she craved, yet there had been nothing tender about it. His intensity had her screaming with pleasure. She stopped in front of the kitchen doors and swallowed hard as sudden fear twisted her heart. She had loved before, but this was different than the love she had for her family. This went much deeper, to the point of actually scaring her. Shaking her doubts away, she pushed through the door, hoping the room was empty.

No, she wasn’t that lucky. Everyone stopped what they were doing to look at her. She seemed to have that effect on them lately. Jill felt like the star in a freak show. Heading toward the coffee, she reached out to pour a cup until the smell hit her nose; her stomach rolled with nausea.

“Hair of the dog that bit ya?” Sid slammed down a bottle of Jack Daniels.

Scrunching up her nose, Jill leaned away. “What the hell does that mean?”

Jared walked up, grabbing the bottle and took a big swig. “It means, my dear young friend, the best cure for what ails you is to have more of it.” He shoved the bottle at her. “Drink up.”

Leaning back, Jill held her nose. “Get that away from me!” She actually gagged.

“You wouldn’t be doing that if you were in her bathroom last night while she puked her guts out.” Steve frowned, walking in. “It was disturbing. She’s a dramatic puker.”