After drenching the washcloth in hot water, I wrung it out. I walked back into the living room, watching as Rae’s eyes found mine again. I felt her studying me carefully. Trying to figure out her next move. I motioned for her to sit up and placed the washcloth against her bare skin, and the hiss that left her lips filled my ears.
“Does that hurt?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. Just jarring, after the cold.”
“Do you need a couple minutes?”
“No, no. I’m good. You can leave it.”
“All right. Lean back for me. Like you did with the ice pack.”
And after sliding her shirt down, she eased herself back into the cushions.
I sat down next to her. “You never should’ve charged that field, Rae. The hell were you thinking?”
“I was thinking about you, and how stupid you looked.”
“You put yourself in harm’s way for nothing. You know I can handle myself.”
“And so can I, believe it or not.”
“Says the girl who got knocked on her ass with one push.”
She scoffed. “What? You saying I’m not tough?”
I growled. “No. I’m saying you could’ve gotten much worse, and I don’t like the thought of you getting hurt.”
“Well, I’m already hurt.”
“I mean more hurt, Rae. Stop twisting my words and accept the fact that I give a shit.”
She giggled. “How does that feel to admit?”
I grinned. “Probably more painful than that wrist of yours.”
“You sure about that? Because it’s a pretty gnarly sprain.”
“Gnarly? You been surfing lately?”
She shrugged. “And if I have?”
I smiled. “I’d tell you I’d love to see you in that body suit sometime.”
“And here I thought you liked me naked.”
“I never said anything about not taking it off.”
She blushed again, deepening that color against her beautifully-tanned body. I loved watching it. I adored everything about her reactions. The way she made her hair fall into her face to draw a sort of curtain between us. The way she shivered as I tucked that same piece of hair back behind her ear. The way she turned toward me, begging me silently with her eyes to touch her.
I especially liked the way she nuzzled against my palm, too. Once I offered it to her.
“I’ve missed you,” I whispered.
Rae’s eyes fell closed as I cupped her cheek softly. “I know.”
“I’m sorry for not having the balls to choose you over Roy and the others. I should’ve had a different answer when you confronted me.”
She nodded softly. “I know, Clint.”