“Well, this will be an adventure,” Lila says with a smile as we climb into the car that I drove from the resort to the hospital.
Claire laughs. “And I was getting so spoiled.” The look on Madison’s face lets me know she’s less excited than the other two, but it is what it is for tonight. Still, when we arrive, everyone is quiet for a beat. The tired thatched roof over cracked and faded whitewashed brick walls is as far from the nine-star resort as a location could get. Sagging shutters frame darkened windows. If the technician hadn’t assured me the place was open for business, I’d think the inn was abandoned.
“Do you think it’s haunted?” Claire asks playfully.
“Perhaps historical in the least,” Lila adds.
“Well, no one will look here,” Madison murmurs.
I open the car door and get out. “That’s the point,” I open the back door and hold a hand to Claire. “Claire, will you come with me? I’d rather not have our billionaires recognized again tonight.”
Taking my gallant offering, Claire joins me. “Good thinking,” she says, and before Madison or Lila protest, we enter the lobby. Thankfully, the hunched over, old manager does have two rooms left. To me, it seems unlikely there are that many more guests tonight, but I let it go. Two bedrooms are fine. The transaction is seamless, the manager is happy to be paid in cash, and we get keys to “the best rooms in the inn.” Not convinced, Claire and I go to inspect them before getting the others.
Claire finds hers first, and as she goes in, I hear her laugh. “Oh, this is perfect.” I peek in around her and see nothing but a small bed with a sagging middle, a water-stained nightstand with a dim lamp on it, a single, curtained window, and two more doors, one of which I hope leads to a bathroom.
“Perfect?” I ask, not understanding.
“Yes, so romantic.” Shaking my head at just how amazing Claire is to see past the shabbiness to find a quaint room in France, I decide to see it as she does. In fact, the thought Lila and I will be sharing such a small bed sends a tingle of arousal through me. It could be romantic indeed.
Nodding, I go check the other room. It is equally “romantic,” and a preliminary check behind the extra doors confirms we do have a private bathroom. A small basin, commode, and an old clawfoot bathtub fill the space. It will do. A quick trip back to the car, and I whisk Lila and Madison inside undetected by even the manager. Seeing the room, Lila reacts much like Claire did, and I realize although the two women have distinctly different pasts, they are cut from similar cloth at heart. Perhaps that is why I find Claire so delightful.
Once the door is closed, and we are alone, Lila sinks onto the edge of the narrow bed and sighs. She still wears her ski clothes, as do I, and before I can help it, a selfish thought crosses my mind. We don’t have anything to sleep in. Then I mentally slap myself. She is injured, and our new boundaries are crystal clear. In fact, sleeping on the floor seems the best option for me. “I’ll call down to the front desk to request an extra pillow and blanket,” I say wanting to relieve Lila of any concerns as to where I will be sleeping.
She studies my face for a moment. “And why are you doing that?”
I swallow trying not to get lost in her blue eyes. “To sleep on the floor. Out of respect for our agreement.”
“I see,” she says glancing away. For a moment, I think I see a touch of disappointment, but then her resolve rises to match mine. We will keep our hands off each other. Standing up, she sighs. “Well, I ache all over and need a hot bath desperately.” Trying to keep the image of her in the tub naked out of my head, I watch as she tries to unzip her jacket, only to be foiled by her injured wrist. In a step, I am beside her.
“Let me,” I say taking the zipper without thinking. As I pull it, the sound causes a flutter low on my body. I grit my teeth and continue to help until the jacket is open. “Should I keep going?” I cannot keep the huskiness out of my voice.
She looks into my face biting her bottom lip and making the desire to kiss her rage through my body. “I can’t do it myself,” she whispers, and I know then that this night of restraint will be long indeed.
15
Undressing Lila is the sweetest torture I have ever experienced. No woman excites me more or so quickly. She simply takes my breath away. When I slip the jacket off her shoulders, mindful of her injury and moving with such gentleness, she sighs. The turtleneck is next, and this is more challenging. The fabric is tight, accenting the curves of her breasts, and I grit my teeth to keep from moaning at the tight nipples pressing against the fabric. Clearly, she is turned on, too. “Do you want me to stop?” I ask, my voice huskier than I intend, and she gives a little shake of her head.
“No.”
Encouraged to keep going, I slip my hands under the hem of her top, unable to keep from sliding my fingers along the skin of her sides. The heat makes my hands tremble from wanting her. When she gasps at my touch, it only fuels my passion, and when I reach her breasts, I am unable to keep from caressing them. Expecting something more practical, when I touch her lacey bra I close my eyes and try to still my desire. Perhaps she always wears an erotic bra, but a part of me knows this time she wears it for me. As if somehow knowing we would end up just like this. Our chemistry too hard to resist.
“You are so sexy,” I murmur using my thumb to press her nipple through the lace. Her response is to press forward into me, and a throb runs through my body. I don’t know how much longer I will be able to restrain myself.
She lifts her arms over her head. “Please, keep going.” I obey and pull the shirt free. “Now, my bra,” she says, and I pause.
“If I do, I’m not sure I can stop myself,” I whisper.
She closes her eyes. “Yes, you can. You must. Please unhook me, and then, if you would, can you start the bathwater for me? Hot.”
Disappointment washes over me, but she is right, of course. I knew it from the start, but still, the arousal I see in her body gives me hope. “I will,” I say and undo the clasp before stepping away. I avert my eyes, not daring to see her naked and walk to the bathroom.
Thankfully, the inn has hot water, and I fill the tub quickly. At the last moment, I grab a towel to offer Lila since there is no robe. Standing at the door to the bedroom, I don't look at her and hold it out. “I thought you might want this,” I say and after a moment, feel her take it from me. She doesn't say a word, but before I can drop my hand, she takes hold of it. Unsure, I still don't look at her and let my hand be guided to the bare breast I crave. The feel of her makes me tremble. “You are killing me,” is all I can say.
“Look at me, Jael.” I do, and she is stripped down to nothing. Only her wrist brace remains, and I suck in a breath. She is exquisite. “Come wash my back,” she whispers.
Nothing on this earth could make me refuse. I step back into the small space of the bathroom and watch her test the water before stepping into the heat. Gradually, she lowers herself, and I realize it might be the most erotic thing I ever watched. As she lies back and closes her eyes, she sighs with contentment.
“Hot enough?” I murmur, and she nods.
“I changed my mind,” she says opening her eyes to look at me. “I want to wash your back instead. Would you like that?”