Braydon(83)

“Well, I still appreciate it all the same.”

Without missing a beat, Jessie retrieved their empty plates and took them to the kitchen. Rather than sliding them into the sink to worry about later, Jessie turned on the water and proceeded to hand wash all the dishes she’d dirtied in the process.

Avoidance much?

“What’s up, Jess?” Braydon asked, his voice sounding from right behind her.

Jessie stiffened, then tried to disguise the automatic response.

“Nothing,” she lied. “I just wanted to get this out of the way.”

Braydon moved up against her, the heat of his chest warming her back, his big hands sliding to her hips. “I missed you last night,” he said, his mouth close to her ear. “Is it wrong that I wanted to spend the night with you? I wanted to roll over in my bed and find you there.”

No, it wasn’t wrong. She’d wanted the same thing. But she didn’t tell him that. She didn’t tell him anything.

Unable to pretend to wash dishes all night, Jessie turned off the water and dried the last dish with the hand towel reserved for the job. Braydon didn’t move away as she did.

When she was finally finished, he took her hand and turned her around to face him.

“How’s your headache?” she asked as she looked up into his face.

“Miraculously, it’s gone.”

Jessie smiled despite herself. It was hard not to smile when he was around.

“Oh well,” she replied, pretending to look disappointed.

“What’s that look for?”

“I guess I don’t need to try out my other cure for a headache if you’re all better.”

“Hold up,” Braydon said, followed by an exaggerated moan. “I feel it coming back. What’d you have in mind?”

Jessie loved Braydon’s playful side. “It consists of a soak in a hot bath.”

“With or without company?” he asked, a smirk on his mouth.

“I think in this case, I should be there to keep an eye on you,” she answered smoothly. “But if you don’t think it’s necessary, we could watch a movie or something.”

“Oh, it’s necessary,” he replied, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers while his hands traveled up the backs of her thighs beneath her skirt. “Definitely necessary.”

“Follow me,” she whispered against his lips, making absolutely no effort to pull away. She loved the way his strong arms felt wrapped around her, the rough rasp of his hands against her bare skin.

“Lead the way,” he told her, not bothering to move, either.

Jessie laughed, finally pulling her lips from his. “Let me at least get the water started,” she told him.

When he released her, she was tempted to jump back into his arms, but she managed to refrain.

In a few minutes, she hoped they’d rectify the distance by being closer than that.



BRAYDON COULDN’T REMEMBER the last time he’d taken a bath. He certainly couldn’t remember the last time he’d taken one with a woman. But here he was, about to immerse himself in water that was billowing steam from the oversized bathtub. With Jessie.

Naked Jessie.

He had left his boots and socks in the living room but had managed to keep the rest of his clothes on when she’d disappeared down the hallway to the bathroom. It hadn’t been easy, considering he was desperate to get his hands on her again. The feel of her soft, smooth skin was a temptation he couldn’t easily resist, and he was ready to pick up where they’d left off in the kitchen.

Granted, his headache really was gone. Whether it was a miracle or just the combination of the medicine and food, he didn’t know. He didn’t care either, because now his mind was clear and the only thing he wanted was to spend the next few hours with this woman.

“Ready?” Jessie asked as she slid her skirt down her silky-smooth legs, allowing it to pool at her feet.

“Sonuvabitch,” he groaned. She wasn’t wearing panties, and he instantly thought about their little trip to the movies.

He stood there watching her, unable to look away long enough to worry about his own clothes as she pulled off her shirt and removed her bra.

And then there she was, in all her naked glory. Her tan skin glowed beautifully, even in the harsh lights of the bathroom.

“Get undressed while I grab some candles,” she instructed.

Braydon’s jaw nearly hit the floor when she turned and walked out of the bathroom, her delectable ass catching his attention. He groaned loud enough for her to hear. When she chuckled, he made quick work of disrobing, tossing his clothes into a pile on the floor.

He was stroking his semi-erect cock slowly when she returned less than a minute later, two jar candles in her hands.

“This is all I’ve got,” she told him.

“That’ll work,” he answered, not paying any attention to what she was holding up for him. He didn’t give a shit about the candles. At the moment, he couldn’t see much past her breasts.

She had lovely breasts.

With dusky pink nipples that were currently puckered and begging for his mouth.

“If we don’t get in the tub, I’m gonna just lay you out here on the counter,” he said distractedly, continuing to eye her hungrily.

“I’m waiting on you.”