Page 64 of Love on the Run

And she wanted to give all those things back to him. After seeing how hard he worked to build his business, treat people fairly, take care of his family, and study God’s word, it was as plain as day.

She was falling for Beau Lawrence—not even a week after a breakup from her fiancé.

Everyone would say it was a rebound. Everyone would assume they’d been seeing each other behind Dean’s back. Everyone would assume and assume and assume.

But she didn’t care what everyone else would think. She cared about Beau, and the circumstances surrounding them didn’t matter.

The question was, would all of those things matter to him?

Chapter 18

Anna

“Absolutely not.”

“Hear me out,” Anna begged. Sheesh. He’d shut her down before hearing the whole request.

Beau crossed his arms over his chest. Was he flexing? “I’m not getting in the shower with you. Not happening.”

“You make it sound bad, but we’ll keep our clothes on.” Anna lifted a clump of her hair. “I was laid out on the floor of a public bathroom, then I spent hours at the hospital. It’s gross times two.”

Beau leveled her with a tense stare. He really had the unwavering look down pat. “I am not getting in the shower with you. I can’t.”

“Clothes. On,” Anna repeated. “I can wear this tank top and thermal pants, and you can put on your swimsuit. Just help me wash my hair, and I’ll takecare of the rest, but there’s no way I can wash my hair with one hand.”

Getting out of the wet clothes after her hair was washed would be a chore too, but asking Beau to help her undress was definitely crossing a line.

So was showering together, but it would be over in five minutes. They could handle it.

Well,shecould handle it. Beau was still holding out.

He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Anna, I’m trying here. Show me some mercy.”

He was right. They’d been dancing around attraction and their new, unnamed feelings for days. Tempting him wasn’t right.

“How about I wear a baggy, long sleeve shirt too?” she asked.

He lifted his head, giving her a look that said “Nice try.”

“How are you going to get out of a wet, baggy sweater on your own when I’m finished washing your hair?”

Was it just her, or was he talking like he was going to do it?

He let out a deep, resigned sigh and headed for his suitcase. “Let’s get this over with.”

“Thank you. It’ll be quick and painless,” she promised. Darting into the bathroom to get the water warmed up, she vowed to do everything in herpower to be grateful he was helping her while also making herself as unappealing as possible.

She was slipping off her socks when Beau knocked on the bathroom door.

“Come in.”

Oh good. He’d already changed into his swimsuit, and he wore a white T-shirt to complete the very clothed, very modest look.

Then he reached behind his head and pulled the shirt off.

Why? Why, why, why?

She’d seen him without a shirt on when they got in the hot tub together, but it had been dark. So much forhimbeing tempted. Beau needed to put his shirt back on, pronto.

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