Jodi yawned in sympathy. ‘I hope this room isn’t too far away.’
‘I could find a wheelchair.’ Mitch grinned.
The grin disappeared when she muttered, ‘I could almost take you up on that.’
An arm came round her waist, holding her upright and close to Mitch’s warm, strong body. ‘I’ve put some chicken in the little oven to keep hot for you. Claire’s been cooking all morning.’ As she opened her mouth to protest he shook her gently. ‘Don’t even think of saying you don’t need food. You do. You’re shattered and you haven’t eaten since I brought in that panini for breakfast.’
‘The thought of food makes me feel ill.’
‘You need to keep your strength up for Jamie.’
‘Since when did you become such a nag?’
‘Just looking out for you.’ That grin had returned.
‘I know.’ She did, truly, but it was too hard.
‘In here.’ Mitch took the key from her fingers and opened the door for her. Then he followed her in.
‘Hey, thanks, but I’ll manage from here.’ Jodi leaned against the wall. Liar. The moment Mitch walked out that door she’d slide into a heap on the floor. Probably fall asleep right there.
‘It’s all right. I’m not about to offer to wash your back for you.’ Couldn’t he look at least a teeny-weeny bit disappointed? ‘But I’ll pour you a glass of juice and dish up the chicken.’
She dredged up a smile. ‘You’re going to force-feed me now?’ Having those fingers slipping food across her lips would be nearly as good as him washing her back.
‘If you don’t move soon I’ll toss you over my shoulder, march you into that bathroom and put you under the shower.’ His eyes widened and that grin slipped a little. ‘Except there’s less room in there than a mouse needs.’
Her head rolled from side to side as images of Mitch carrying her over his shoulder, his hands on her thighs, filtered through the murk that was her brain at the moment. If only she had the energy. Forcing herself upright, she took a step in the direction of the only other door in the room. ‘On my way.’
Mitch looked down into her eyes. ‘Just taking care of you. For Jamie.’ His head lowered. ‘And this is for me.’ His lips brushed her forehead, strong and firm yet as light as a butterfly landing on her skin.
Then he stepped back and turned her to face the bathroom door. With a gentle shove he said, ‘Go on. You’ll feel a lot better afterwards.’
She stumbled into the bathroom and banged the door shut behind her. Leaning back against it, she brushed her forehead with her fingertips. He’d kissed her. Not a proper, lips-on-lips, tongue-circling-tongue kiss but something so sweet and caring that her heart felt as though it might burst with some strange emotion she couldn’t identify.
Didn’t want to identify.
Knock, knock. ‘Jodi, you all right in there?’
No, I’m totally confused by you. About you. ‘Couldn’t be better,’ she lied as she flicked the shower mixer on as hot as it would go.
Letting the water pour over her, through her hair, down her back, over her face, she tried to blank everything out of her mind. But images of a naked Mitch crammed in there with her, his hands massaging her back, took over, dominating her brain. They’d be so squashed into the shower that every movement they made would involve wet skin sliding over other wet skin. Desire unfurled deep inside her, sending heat coursing along her veins to all her extremities and every place in between.
She wanted Mitch. Now. And he was only a couple of steps away, on the other side of that door. She swallowed, trying to dampen down the flames roaring through her passion-starved body. ‘Mitch?’ she croaked.
She felt the memories of previous showers with him; her body knew exactly how those firm hands would touch her skin, pummel her muscles to replace the aches with hot desire, with a raw need for him.
‘Mitch?’ His name came out louder than she’d intended. Full of need and love and plain old horniness.
‘Did you call me?’ The door cracked open two inches.
Yes, no, I don’t know. Her knees trembled. Confusion reigned. The gripping exhaustion had to be why she’d uttered his name. Not the best circumstances to be considering this. Better to wait until she’d slept a straight twenty-four hours. Which wasn’t about to happen in the foreseeable future. ‘Yes, Mitch, I did.’
The door opened slowly and then closed again, this time with Mitch on her side. Even as he twisted the lock shut he was unbuttoning his shirt enough to haul it over his head. ‘Is this wise?’
‘Probably not but I need you. Really need you.’ Was she being selfish?
Not if Mitch’s reaction was anything to go by. Gulp. God, he was stunning in his naked glory, his manhood erect. He needed this as much as she did.
Her eyes widened at the majestic sight filling her vision. Dreams had nothing on the real thing. Memories didn’t do the man justice. Her stomach tightened to stop the ball of need from exploding through her. How could her throat be dry when she was immersed in all this water?
He squeezed in beside her, pulling the glass door closed behind him. The blue of his eyes smouldered with desire. Whether this was right or not, she’d make the most of the moment. ‘I need you so much,’ she whispered. ‘I’ve missed you.’ Too much information. But she didn’t care. Whatever the result was of this, she would not regret it.
Mitch moved and his skin slid over hers just as she’d known it would, teasing, tantalising, unbelievable. The heat that spiralled over her, through her from that first naked touch tipped her into him. And as his hands spread across her backside to pull her even closer she closed her eyes and gave herself up to him. To Mitch, the man she’d never really stopped loving.
His mouth was hungry, devouring h
er lips, her throat, tracking down between her breasts. When his lips closed over her nipple she shuddered with excitement. Then his teeth grazed her and she gasped.
She was so ready for him. Slipping her hand between them, her fingers found his erection, stroked the length of him, revelling in the silky feel, in his heat.
Rising onto her toes, she pressed hard against him.
‘Jodi,’ was all he said as his hands on her backside lifted her enough for him to gain access to her centre.
There was so much passion in the way he spoke her name she almost came. His passion twisted around her, branded her. She was his. Always had been.
And then he was slipping into her and her brain couldn’t think at all. All she knew were the exquisite sensations dominating her body, overriding everything else, taking her higher and higher until she was floating. ‘Mitch, come with me.’
He did, instantly. And she hung on for dear life, crying out his name over and over as her world shattered into lightness around her.
*
When he could breathe again, Mitch reached around Jodi and flicked the shower off. Keeping hold of her, he edged the door open and helped her out onto the bathmat. Her body was limp and she swayed on her feet. ‘Hey, steady.’ Knocked her socks off, did he?
‘What happened? That was out of this world.’ Her mouth curved into that smile he craved.
He had to kiss her. Taste her. Have more of her. And as soon as his mouth touched hers he could feel his body getting excited again. Whoa. Pull back. As much as Jodi had instigated this, he doubted she had the energy for a rerun. He was surprised she’d managed the first round, given that she’d barely been able to stand up when she’d first gone into the bathroom.
The lips under his moved. ‘Don’t stop.’ She shivered.
Mitch reached for a towel. ‘You’re getting cold, Jodi. Let me dry you off.’
‘Cold? I’m burning up.’ Her smile widened as another shiver shook her.
‘You’re good for my ego, woman, but catching a chill isn’t such a brilliant idea.’ He rubbed the towel gently over her breasts, biting down on the flare of need slamming through him. Finish the job and get her dressed, hide all that flesh before you really lose your head and take her again. ‘Turn around,’ he growled softly. But the sight of those round buttocks stalled the air in his lungs.