I scoff and glance at her out the side of my eyes. “Your ass is fine.”
“Thanks. That’s just what every girl wants to hear,” she huffs. “Your ass is fine.”
“Mighty fine?”
Em laughs and I smile. I’m trying to distract her from the fact she’s in a car and we are heading down the road where she crashed.
“But if you want me to have a closer look, I’d me more than happy to when we get home.”
She grins at me. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Trying to get my hands on your ass before Austin.”
That little shit has been at the apartment every day, checking in on Em, bringing lecture notes and assignments from both our classes, and driving me insane. I needed to get a pass from classes for the last three weeks because Em needed almost full-time care.
Now she has her boot, she’ll be able to move around and enjoy some of her summer break. Which means less Austin in my apartment, too. I shouldn’t have to see him so much in the off-season.
“Distracting me. And it’s working.” She rubs her palm over her thigh and glances out the window.
“Good. You and that ass of yours can make it up to me later.”
We get home and I pull the rental car into our parking spot. The insurance company is processing my claim, but it’s anyone’s guess when it will be done and I’ll get my car back.
I pull open Em’s door and help her get out of the car. She’s unsteady on her feet and grips my arm tight as we take our time getting inside the building. The stairs are hard to navigate because she’s not supposed to put too much weight on her foot.
With her free hand, she holds the rail, and I wrap my arm around her waist, taking most of her weight with each step she takes. Finally, we make it up the stairs and into the apartment.
Em collapses on the couch with a huff. “That took more effort than I expected.”
I drop my keys on the table and walk into the kitchen. “You hungry?”
“Mmm...” She pauses while she thinks about it. “No. I think I want to have a bath.”
I open the fridge and rummage through the vegetable crisper, pulling out salad ingredients and condiments to make a sandwich. “Want me to grab the chair and run the water?”
“Not a sponge bath. A real bath.”
“Can you do that?” I stick my head out of the kitchen.
“With a bit of help, yes. I don’t have to worry about keeping my ankle dry now I have the boot.”
I dump the food on the counter and rush into the living room, scooping Em up and carrying her to the bathroom.
She laughs. “I can walk, you know?”
“But I get to help you have a bath?” I grin as I set her down on the tile floor.
“You get to fill the tub and help me get in the water.”
“But you’ll be naked, right?”
She laughs. “No.”
My eyebrows pull together in disappointment. “You’ll bathe in your clothes? That’s so unfair.”
Em smirks. “Just fill the tub. And help me with my dress.”
I plug the drain and turn the faucet on, checking the temperature of the water to make sure it’s not too hot.
“Bubbles?” I ask.
“Of course.”
I pour some bubbles into the water then turn to face Em. “Ready?”
“God, yes. I want to soak and relax.”
I move behind her and grasp the zip between my fingers, dragging it down her back. The thin straps slip off her shoulders, and I tug the silky blue material over her hips until it drops to the floor.
Em shuffles on the spot until she faces me.
I grasp the waistband of her panties. “These, too?” And I drag them down before she says no. Not like I haven’t seen her naked.
“Behave.” She places a hand on my chest and pushes me back. “Now help me get in the tub without slipping and breaking another bone.”
My gaze drops, and I suck in a breath.
“Colt?”
She’s waiting for me to lift her into the tub, and I’m staring at her like a 13-year-old looking at his first skin mag.
She shivers and whispers in a trembling voice, “Colt?”
“Protection. We need protection.”
“What?” She arches an eyebrow.
I step away from her and pull out two plastic covers from the cupboard. Sliding one over her boot and the other over her cast, I secure them as a precaution in case she somehow gets them wet.
Once I’m satisfied she’s well protected and won’t risk her cast or boot getting wet, I pick her up, bridal style, and lower her into the tub ensuring her arm and leg stay out of the water.
“This is so awkward.” She laughs. “I must look a mess.”
“I think you look great. I like this position.” I grin, crouching down on the floor beside the tub. She’s lying at an odd angle, her leg hanging over the edge and her arm propped up on the side. She doesn’t look comfortable at all.
“You’re only saying that because I’m naked.”
I shrug. “It helps.”
“Pass me the loofah, you perv.”
I lather up her loofah and hand it to her and watch in amusement as she tries to wash herself. She scrubs the loofah over her chest and stomach and does this weird crunch-type move to reach her legs, but she can’t hold the position long enough for it to be effective, so she tries again, tensing her stomach and lifting her shoulders, reaching forward.
I snort.
She glares at me.
“You’re like a turtle stuck on your back trying to flip over.” I throw my head back and laugh. “Let me help?”
“I’m sleeping on the sofa. You’re so mean to me,” she huffs and throws the loofah into the water near her foot.
“You are not. You’ll never sleep on the sofa, unless I’m there.”
Her soft pink lips curl down in a frown and she blows out a breath. “I know. I wish the threat held more validity... You suck.”
I stand and pull my shirt off, much to Em’s surprise. “I can...”
She tilts her head and watches me as I kick off my shoes and remove my socks. There’s a hint of suspicion in her voice. “Can what?”
“Suck... if you want me to.”
“Is that all you think about?”
I shrug. “Pretty much.”
Em shakes her head but there is an undeniable heat in her eyes. It’s been too long since there was any mutual gratification between us with her being all broken and in pain, but it was going to be so on when she was out of those damn casts. “Fine. No sucking. Let’s just settle on me washing your hair.”
She smiles up at me and nods. “I’d like that.”
“Naked,” I add as I strip off my shorts and underwear.
“Colt!” Em growls, but it’s too late because I’m already climbing into the tub behind her.
She settles back against my chest and rests her leg across the top of my knee and the edge of the bath. “Better?”
With a wiggle against me and a soft sigh, she speaks, “So much.”
We lie there in silence until I move to wash her hair and body. I am on my best behavior and only play with her tits for two minutes...three times. I deserve a freaking medal for my restraint. And then I help her get out, dry her hair and give her a massage...naked.