Slowly, I edged back across the space.
Our eyes gauging the other.
Carefully.
Warily.
Setting my hand on her bare thigh, I nudged her legs back apart as I pulled her to the edge of the bed. The softest moan left her when I pressed the warm towel between her thighs, the act like some kind of twisted apology.
“I can’t believe I did that to you.” It sounded of a confession.
I’d become rash and negligent. Goddamned careless.
Shyness bled through the small sound that slipped from her mouth. “I’m the one who dragged you in here, Ian.”
“And I’m the one who came to you when things got too heavy in my life. I’m the one who keeps pushing it farther and farther. Taking more when the last thing I should be doing is asking you to offer it.”
Her voice was soggy and rough. “And what if I want you to have it? This part of me? I don’t want to give it to anyone else. You make me feel things I’ve never felt before. Things I’m not sure I fully understand.”
Those eyes washed over me. So soft and tender and full of trust.
This time, it was me dropping to my knees, and I was staring up at the girl as I continued to clean her.
Softly.
Gently.
I kissed the inside of her knee because I just needed to kiss something, my nose at her flesh, breathing her in.
She threaded those sweet fingers through my still damp hair, the girl watching me with all the things she couldn’t feel.
Everything I couldn’t receive.
In sheer honesty, I gazed up at her. “I want to help you, Grace. I want to be there for you in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever wanted to be there for anyone in my life.”
Something streaked through her expression. Something so intense and real, I was certain I’d never seen it directed at myself before.
It speared me.
Gutted me.
The most foolish part of me wanted to reach out and make it mine.
I climbed to my feet and grabbed her underwear from the floor. I handed them to her and helped her resituate her dress. Like a fool, I moved to stand between her legs like I might belong there, brushing my fingers through that soft, lush hair like I’d do anything for the connection.
“We can’t let this happen, anymore. There’s too much at stake.” The words were low and hard and loaded with regret.
Sorrow moved across that pretty face. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted to put you in this position.”
I dipped down to capture her attention. “Don’t ever apologize for this. Ever.”
I pressed my lips to her forehead and whispered, “In another life.”
She nodded against my lips, and I peeled myself back so I could resituate my coat and tie. “I’m filing for an emergency injunction this afternoon. I’m going to have to use Thomas’s statement that he is worried about your safety. They’re probably going to want to talk with him, but if we’re going to win this, we’re going to have to use any weapon at our disposal. Including everything you know. If it comes down to it, you’re going to have to be prepared to use that photo.”
Worry shivered through her body, but she warily nodded. “Okay.”
“I have no idea how he’s going to react, but I don’t trust Reed not to come after you on this. I need you to promise me you’ll be careful. Call me if you hear or see anything. This is all coming to a head, Grace. To the end. And I’m going to do whatever I have to for that result to end in your favor.”
Fear streaked through her expression, every heinous scenario playing through her mesmerizing eyes.
I touched her face. One last time. “It’s going to be okay. I promise you.”
She nodded again. “I trust you.”
I trust you.
I looked at the door, wanting to fucking punch it. I looked back at Grace. “Come out right after me, and restate how much my services were as we go to the register. Make sure everyone hears it. Do you understand?”
Her throat wobbled, as much as her legs did when she slid off the bed. Fumbling, she yanked off the sheet and tossed it into the dirty clothes hamper. She quickly laid out a new one and fluffed the pillow. “Yes, Mr. Jacobs.”
Jesus.
This was out of control.
What I felt.
I didn’t even think I recognized myself when it came to her.
I roughed a hand through my hair. “Okay.”
I unlocked the door and strode out. Just like I’d expected, every goddamned eye was on us, some blatantly gaping and others trying not to stare, their whispers instantly silenced when I strode out.
Grace was right behind me, her heels clicking on the floor. “The haircut is twenty-five and wax is fifty.”
I rounded the corner, and she slipped in behind the register. “So, seventy-five total.”