Page 53 of Love Me Carefully
Before Leah could respond Nikki disconnected. Slamming the phone down, Leah walked over to the door and disengaged the lock, then hesitated for a moment. Was it wise to leave her door unlocked with all the mess that had gone on around her in the past two days? But this time of morning traffic wouldn’t be too bad on the highway, and Nikki would be here in a few minutes. Besides, if Donald was on a cruise somewhere he couldn’t hurt her. Shrugging, she went into the bathroom and began to undress.
Five minutes later she was in a tub full of hot water with steam rising to cloud the bathroom mirror. Lying with her back against the porcelain, Leah closed her eyes and tried to block out the events of the past two days.
* * *
Terrell knocked several times without getting an answer. He was sure this was the right apartment because he’d read her name on the mailbox. Fear simmered below the surface as he thought of some of Donald’s henchmen finding her. Desperately, he tried the doorknob. It was unlocked, further panicking him. Stepping into the apartment, he glanced around the room quickly. It was empty.
Walking into the kitchen, he surmised that she wasn’t in there either. Without hesitation he started in the opposite direction. The bathroom door was ajar but he didn’t hear anything. When he cautiously poked his head in the doorway, his heart stopped, his tongue swelled in his mouth and his dick throbbed as he watched Leah pick up her loofa sponge, fill it with water, hold it aloft and dribble water over her breasts. Repeating the motion, she drenched her back and neck. Eyes closed in apparent deep relaxation, she reached along the wall until her hand found the soap and lathered the sponge. In long, languid movements she washed her arms, lifting them above her head, one at a time.
Terrell swallowed as her breasts rose and fell with each movement.
Dragging the sponge over her neck, she applied a soapy film to her skin. As she lifted one breast at a time, the sponge left a bubbly trail around and between the twin mounds.
He licked his lips.
Lifting one long leg she covered it with soap. Then she lathered between her thighs.
His heart might’ve stopped as lust throbbed powerfully through his veins. He’d been holding his keys and his fingers—curse their clumsiness—chose that precise moment to drop them.
The crowded key ring fell to the floor with a loud clink.
Leah’s eyes shot open.
Terrell’s closed with embarrassment.
* * *
In the bathroom, alone, Leah rinsed the soap off her body. As the water rolled in heavy rivulets over her smooth skin she tingled all over at the memory of Terrell standing in the doorway. His desire had been undeniable, giving her ego an overwhelming boost.
She knew she should be upset, outraged at the nerve of him walking into her house and watching her while she bathed. But all she felt now was desire that was stuck in her throat like an unmovable lump. Quickly she finished in the tub and got out, pulled the heavy terrycloth robe over her shoulders, and knotted the belt around her waist.
When she entered the room, Terrell braced himself for the attack he undeniably deserved. He couldn’t believe what had just happened. He’d only been concerned for her safety. He hadn’t meant to spy on her. But when he’d seen her in that tub, gloriously naked, only an act of God could’ve taken his eyes off her. His feet had been glued to that spot as he watched her lather her gorgeous body.
“Well, hello.” Standing behind the sofa, she looked at him calmly.
“Hello. Ah…Leah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—” Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he stammered over the words.
“What? You didn’t mean to be a Peeping Tom?” She chuckled to cover the anxious feelings bubbling inside her, threatening to come rushing to the surface.
“Yeah, I guess that’s what I was doing. But really, I didn’t mean to. I knocked and knocked and didn’t get an answer. Then I found the door was unlocked and I got worried.”
He was worried about her. It was a good thing she’d already decided she wasn’t angry with him, because the look he was giving her now, combined with his admission of concern, would’ve diffused any anger.
“It’s my fault, I knew better than to leave that door unlocked.” She shook her head. “So what are you doing here? I thought you would be heading back to Agent Tobias’ office.” Moving quickly before her knees gave out, she sat on the far end of the couch and motioned for him to take a seat.
“Thanks,” he muttered before sitting at the opposite end. “I am going to see him, but I needed to see you first.”
“See me? What for?” He’d showered and shaved. She could smell the soap still fresh on his skin. She knew it wasn’t her because it was a fresh ocean smell and she used a lavender scented beauty bar. He wore jeans and a neatly tucked-in button down plaid shirt. The rim of his crisp white t-shirt showed at the base of his neck, where he’d left the first button of the plaid shirt undone. Briefly she let herself imagine what he hid under all those clothes. His goatee had been trimmed, and the stubble that she’d felt against her face a few hours before was long gone.
He was nervous and his clouded eyes danced as he watched her. But that was the only giveaway.
“I know where my mother and Donald went,” he began.
“Really? Where?” A bolt of disappointment moved through her—he wasn’t here to talk about them at all. It was about his unwavering concern for his mother’s safety.
“I know a PI who owes me a lot of favors.” He took a deep breath. “They’re on a cruise that stopped in Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Wednesday afternoon. I’ve booked a flight out tonight.” His legs were spread slightly, his elbows resting casually on his knees.
“Oh.” He was going to Jamaica to get his mother and confront Donald, no doubt. A feeling she’d gotten too used to surfaced, and she struggled to keep it at bay.
