“It is when you’re too exhausted to concentrate. Sit. Eat.”
“Soup?” She stared down at the bowl of creamy soup he placed in front of her. “It’s seventy-nine degrees outside.”
“It’s soft on your stomach. Soup. Painkillers. Nap.” He gave her a firm look.
> She sighed. “I’m supposed to be working.”
He just shook his head. “Eat, or I’ll feed you.”
She wrinkled her nose at him but swallowed down a spoonful. Yum, potato and leek. Her favorite. She wondered if that was a coincidence, or if he’d somehow figured it out. Tiny was incredibly observant. She only had to mention something once, and he’d remember it. She’d never admit it, but the soup was soothing on her knotted stomach. At the rate she was going, she’d soon have a stomach ulcer to match the ones in her mouth.
“Good girl. Go lie down. I’ll get the painkillers.”
“I won’t be able to sleep. It’s daylight.” Attempting to nap would be a waste of time.
He studied her for a moment then nodded. She was surprised by his quick agreement. With a sigh, she stood and returned to the sofa. Five minutes later Tiny came in and took the laptop from her. “Tiny! Damn it.”
“Come.” He tugged her along to the bedroom. She came to a stop in the doorway, looking around in surprise. He’d closed the drapes, which blocked out most of the light and lit candles around the room. For some reason, he’d also placed a towel on the bed.
He handed her some painkillers and a glass of water. She swallowed them down without argument, her head was really pounding now.
“Take your top off and lie face down on the bed.”
Umm, what?
“I’m gonna give you a massage.”
“Y—you are?” She gulped. He was going to have his hands on her bare flesh?
He simply turned his back, and she quickly stripped off her top and bra and lay down. She practically trembled with anticipation. Finally, he was going to touch her. Maybe not sexually. But she’d take what she could get.
She turned her head, watching out of the corner of her eye as he approached.
“You okay? You’re shaking.”
“Fine. Just tired.”
“Exhausted,” he countered with a stern note in his voice. He sat beside her on the bed, his thigh touching her waist. He reached over to the bedside table, and she saw him pick up some scented oil that she’d had in her bathroom. Then straddled her hips. He ran his hands down her back, and she sighed.
His hands were magic, he seemed to find each knot and worked on it until her insides turned to jelly. She hadn’t thought she’d be able to relax with him touching her, but she hadn’t stood a chance. After just ten minutes she was almost asleep. After half an hour, she was complete goo beneath him.
“Feeling better?” he murmured.
“Yes, oh God, I feel so good.” Except for the ache developing between her legs, that seemed to be growing with every second he touched her.
“Shall I leave you to sleep?”
“No,” she said quickly. “I still won’t be able to sleep.” She might have felt deliciously relaxed, but she didn’t want him to go.
He was silent for a moment. “Roll over.”
Roll over? Was he serious? She could have said no. But why would she want to? He raised up so she could roll over and she watched him through hooded eyes as he stared down at her bare breasts.
“You still need help to sleep?”
“Yes.”
He placed his hands on the mattress on either side of her head and leaned down to kiss her softly. She pushed up, wanting to deepen the kiss. He pulled back and shook his head.