I half expect him to fight me for it. Instead, Daniel simply watches me. I focus on my food as heat rises to my cheeks, intensifying by the second. When I can’t bear it anymore, I chance a glance at him. Yep, he’s still watching me.
Drawing in a deep breath, I focus on the last slice. What on earth is wrong with me tonight? I seem to be even more responsive to all things Daniel than usual, and I can’t blame it on the lingering effects of Benadryl. I’m usually better at propping up my defenses... but how am I supposed to keep them in place when he’s been shooting holes in them the entire day? Truth be told, he shot the first hole when he told me he’s been stopping by to watch soccer games with Dad. It
’s only been getting bigger since.
“I’m going to shower,” I announce once I swallow the last bit, rising from the bed.
“Sure. There are towels in the bathroom.”
The warm spray of the water is soothing, as is the ginger-scented shower gel, which I rub vigorously into my skin before washing it off. Perching one foot at the edge of the tub, I intend to hop off on the other side. Instead, the foot I’m standing on slides to one side.
“Aaaaargh.”
I collapse on the floor of the bathtub, my left leg and arm squished underneath me, but I narrowly manage to avoid bumping my head too. The door swings open the next second.
“Get out, I’m naked!” I exclaim at the same time Daniel asks, “What happened? Are you hurt?”
“I slipped. I’m fine. Get out.”
Except I’m not fine. When I try to push myself up, I discover my left leg hurts too much to be reliable, and I nearly collapse again. Daniel catches me midfall. Hooking an arm around my waist, he hoists me up against him. My entire body is shaking. After about ten seconds or so, I become aware that I’m wet, naked, and both my breasts are pressing against his chest.
“I’m naked,” I repeat, not daring to look up at him.
“I’ve seen it all before.”
“You’re not helping,” I inform him on a groan.
“Can you stand on your foot?”
I test it out, shifting my weight onto it. It hurts less than before, but still enough for me to doubt its reliability. “I don’t think so.”
“Okay, up you go.” He makes a motion as if to lower himself and hoist me up, and panic flares inside me.
“Daniel, no! I mean, can you give me a towel first, please?”
Smiling, he reaches to the rack, still holding my hand firmly. When he hands me the towel, I wrap it around me as quickly as I can. Daniel makes no effort to look away the entire time, his gaze not just appraising but downright hungry. Despite the mortification and the throbbing leg, pride surges inside me, because... priorities. Unable to help myself, I drink him in too. I soaked the front of his shirt, so the sinewy lines and ridges of his abdomen are clearly visible. Good God, his six-pack is as delicious as ever, not to mention the V-shaped dents leading down to his jeans. Biting down on my lips, I raise my gaze, which crisscrosses with Daniel’s. Heat jolts through me, and an undercurrent of awareness passes between us.
Wordlessly, Daniel picks me up, carrying me to the bedroom. How did I end up in his arms for the second time today? After breakfast, I was too sick to take it all in, but now... oh my, am I making up for that.
Every nerve ending where my bare skin presses against Daniel is perking up. The bits covered by the towel aren’t faring much better. A light shudder passes through me when Daniel lays me on the bed. To my dismay, he sits on the edge, pulling my left ankle in his lap, inspecting it.
“Does it hurt?”
“No.” I flex it a little, testing it out. “Definitely no sprain, but I’m going to have bruises tomorrow all over my left side. I think you bring me bad luck. I seem to have all sorts of accidents when I’m around you. First I nearly sprained my ankle at Blake and Clara’s wedding, and today—”
“You scared ten years off my life today.” Daniel shakes his head, putting my foot back on the mattress.
He’s frowning as he shifts his weight until he sits right next to my hips. I don’t like that frown one bit, but then I remember Daniel isn’t mine to make happy. Still, I can lighten up the situation.
“Hmm, now that you mention it, I can see two white hairs. Weren’t there before. Must have sprouted while I was asleep.”
Reaching out, I’m aiming to touch a random spot on his scalp, but somehow end up running my hand through his hair. Damn it, he’s not mine to touch. Why do I keep forgetting this?
My heart thumps wildly when I realize Daniel’s leaning into my hand as if... as if he’s been yearning for my touch as much as I’ve yearned for his. Has he missed me just as much?
I barely formulate the thought when he grabs my hand, kissing the inside of my wrist. I feel the contact reverberate through my entire body until my center is on fire. Goose bumps erupt everywhere on my skin, and I have no way to hide them. Daniel’s pupils dilate. I’m not the only one who is aroused.
“You look even more beautiful than I remember, Caroline.”