Page 16 of Wild Tides
He grunted. “Still tender.” He dragged his gaze from his plate. “Have I told you yet today that I appreciate you taking care of me?”
The softness in his eyes made me want to squirm. Like he saw too much in the innocent offer. The longing that struck at inconvenient times. I swallowed around a tight throat. “What are friends for?”
His brow wrinkled, smoothing so fast, I thought I imagined it. “Well, I’d be extremely grateful if you helped me shower tonight.”
My mouth laughed at the suggestion that it was dry before, turning into the Sahara as I envisioned Lee, water dripping down the dips and valleys of his chest. His thighs.
“Sure,” I said, voice like sandpaper. “I forgot to grab us drinks. Want anything?”
“Water please.”
I trotted upstairs, downing a glass from the faucet then rubbing the cool cup against my forehead.I could do this.I could help him. After all, I was a full-service friend. I cooked. I fetched. And, apparently, I showered.
Did I get a swimsuit? Help from the sidelines? Fifteen different scenarios played out, every one awkward AF. I filled my glass a second time, adding one for Lee, and made my way downstairs, trying not to spill.
Lee smiled from the couch. Innocent. Cool. Like he hadn’t threatened my good intentions with his request for help.
Rare and beautiful, his smile wasn’t a grin. Not a broad, toothy mess with dimples like my brother Zach. Lee’s smile was subtler.Slower. Like each fiber and muscle slowly drew up, until his entire face was involved, softening him. Turning the taciturn man I’d grown to know into a stranger. One whosmiled.
Something about that rearrangement of his facial features lit a spark. A tiny flame that refused to be extinguished. One that saw the man he was and the man he could be.
“Just let me know when you’re ready to go upstairs.” The strength projected in my voice did a good job of hiding my lingering misgivings.
“Thanks, Vi. I shouldn’t need much. If you can grab some spare clothes for me, then I can handle the rest.”
“You sure?”
Why, oh why was I arguing with him? Even obliquely? Disappointment shouldn’t be riding me harder than relief. Lee depended on me. I didn’t need to complicate things with my hormones. Keeping healthy boundaries, like not seeing him naked, was a good thing. So why was I still tempted to get pushy with him in the name of safety?
He dipped his chin.
“Perfect,” I said instead. “I’ll get you going, then start a batch of cupcakes.”
He perked up, looking happier than I’d seen him since his injury. “What kind?”
“Chocolate cherry. But I won’t frost them until tomorrow.”
“I can wait.”
Something about that promise made me tighten. Like possibly I wasn’t the only one struggling with boundaries.
Chapter 9– Lee
The roughscritchof my boot’s Velcro was the only sound in the bathroom. Vi had supervised my slow progress upstairs and left to grab me fresh clothes. She was about to answer the age-old question: boxers or briefs, but not in the fun way.
Somewhere, Rae was probably cackling at my predicament. My Secret Santa was about to have the last laugh. I’d gotten her novelty briefs plastered with Zach’s grinning face last year. This year, she’d proven the Fenwicks didn’t have a monopoly on revenge. I could blame the luck of the draw, but bribery was more likely.
At least contemplating Vi’s face when she discovered Rae’s “gift” kept me from obsessing over the fact that we were about to be in extremely close quarters. My body tightened at the thought of her brushing my arm. Getting naked anywhere near her was a bad idea.
I stripped off my shirt, leaving me in loose sweatpants.
A soft chuckle announced Vi’s arrival.
“Who hates you?” she asked, fresh boxer briefs held up between two fingers like evidence of a crime. Her arched brow and casual stance were ruined by the way her gaze snagged on my bare chest, lingering just long enough to make me want to flex.
“Careful,” I murmured, “keep looking at me like that, and I’ll think you’re offering to help me put those on.”
Color rose in her cheeks, but she rolled her eyes. “Please. The only thing I’d help you with is burning these.” She waggled the fabric between two fingers. “Tell me you didn’t actually buy them.”
