by Anne, Melody
“Noah?” she asked sleepily.
“Sorry for waking you,” he said as he sat on the edge of the bed.
“I can’t see anything,” she told him.
He reached over and turned on the lamp. She squinted at him, looking utterly adorable. Her hair was sticking out in all directions, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes brighter than he’d seen in days. She’d gotten some good rest finally.
“I didn’t mean to wake you,” he told her.
“It feels like I’ve been sleeping for a week straight,” she said. “It’s time for me to wake up.” She slowly sat up. It was taking all of his restraint to stop himself from reaching over and grabbing her. He wanted her naked in his arms more than he wanted any other thing in this world. But patience was a virtue, or so he’d been told many, many times before. He’d never been one to display the virtue of patience.
“You haven’t slept for quite a week, but at least forty-eight hours,” he told her with a wink. He was still turned on, and his body was on fire, but he enjoyed their chats. He’d really liked the one they’d had before he’d fallen asleep. For every hour she’d been sleeping, he’d been awake and stressed, making sure she was okay. By the time he’d finally laid down, he’d conked out.
“I’ve really slept for almost two days straight?” she said, sounding horrified. She wiped a hand across her forehead and frowned. “I’m so disgusting right now.”
“That’s just not possible,” he assured her. “You need to take another dose of medicine before we forget.”
“No!” she said, then smiled gently. “Not yet. I need to be up for a little bit, and those pills seem to knock me out.”
“If you’re getting knocked out, it’s because your body knows more than your mind what you need,” he assured her.
“I understand when a person is sick, they need rest, but we also need baths and exercise,” she told him. “I’m not sure if I’m so sore from being sick or from being on my back for two days straight.”
There were much more pleasant ways he could picture her being on her back for forty-eight hours straight. That thought didn’t help the problem he was currently having. He needed to get himself more under control.
Noah finally looked at the clock and was surprised to see it was two in the morning. He’d slept a solid six hours once he’d allowed himself to go to sleep. He’d drifted in and out for a good hour or two before that. He wasn’t going to be able to go back to sleep, but he hoped she would. Then maybe by morning she’d feel up to getting out of bed for a while and stretching her unused muscles.
“I really want a shower,” she told him as she ran a hand through her hair again.
“I’m not sure you should trust your legs enough for a shower right now,” he said with a smile. She glared at him, and he laughed. “How about I get a bath ready for you? That will help with all the aches and pains. I’ll even add bath salts.”
Her frown instantly disappeared at the suggestion. She nodded her assent. At least she was growing more used to the idea of him helping her. She was probably one of the most stubborn, independent women he’d ever met in his life. It was just one more thing he loved about her.
But as he moved into the bathroom and started the hot water into the tub, he pictured her sitting in there in all her naked glory, soapy and slippery . . . whoa! That was a train of thought he absolutely, positively couldn’t go down right now. He might be in a lot of pain over the next few days. He seriously might not survive it. But he’d take being in pain over her feeling anything bad, every single day for the rest of his life.
Once she was out of pain, though, he dang well was going to show her his best moves for possibly a week straight. She might be locked down in a bed for a long, long time. They had a lot of time out of the bed they needed to make up for.
When the bath was full, and the room smelled like a spa, he came back into the bedroom and found Sarah sitting up. Her eyes were still bright, but she already looked tired again. She was more worn out than she was willing to admit. He knew he could call her out on it, but he’d rather just be there for her and help carry her burdens.
She looked at him and let out a frustrated sigh as he moved toward her. “I’m seriously over this,” she said. “Just sitting up feels like I just got done running a 5K. If I’m feeling this weak tomorrow, I might throw a major tantrum,” she warned.
He chuckled again. She really amused him when she was grumpy. He was beginning to think there wasn’t much she could do that he wouldn’t find charming or amazing. Maybe that was the power of love. He wasn’t sure.
“You’re going to be back to a hundred percent before you know it. For now just enjoy being pampered,” he told her. “I have a nice hot bath waiting for you that smells like peaches and cream.”
“Ooh, that sounds like heaven,” she said, smiling. “Even if I feel like a total invalid and am not liking it.”
She shifted and attempted to stand, then plopped back down on the bed and looked up at him with tears in her eyes. His heart was breaking for her.
“It’s going to be okay. I promise,” he told her as he moved closer and knelt before her, placing his hands on her hips as he looked up. “I’m also sort of enjoying being your manservant.”
At his words she smiled again. “My manservant?”
“I’m at your beck and call, my lady.”
“Well, you are literally kneeling at my feet,” she said as she wiggled her toes, which were pressed against the inside of his thighs. That didn’t help his problem one bit. He let out a slight groan before he was able to stop it. Her smile fell as she licked her lip.
He had to turn away before he forgot she was sick. It would be easy to do.
Noah stood and scooped Sarah into his arms. She let out a sigh as she laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around him. At least she’d stopped fighting him.
“I could walk, but this is nice, too,” she told him with a chuckle. “Maybe we should all have our own Noah to transport us this way.”
“These arms are for you only,” he said. He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers, and it helped settle his racing heart. This woman meant more to him than just sex. Yes, the sex was the best he’d ever experienced, but holding her was also amazing, and touching her lips with his was essential to his survival.
He set her down in the bathroom, then steadied her before letting go. “I’d be more than happy to help you get undressed since you’re so weak right now,” he said with a wink. He knew the words would fire her up, and he didn’t want her in the tub too sleepy.
She glared at him. “I’m not that weak. And I’m plenty capable of getting myself undressed and bathing. You can go away now,” she told him.
He grinned, leaned down, and gave her a hard kiss on the lips, then turned around and moved to the door. “I’m leaving it cracked open, and I’ll check on you whether you like it or not,” he warned.
She gave him another glare. “You know I have taken a bath or two in my lifetime.” She looked so delicious leaning there against the bathtub with her flushed cheeks and heated eyes. It was taking some major willpower not to walk straight back to her and take her into his arms. He couldn’t seem to keep his hands off her.
“But have you ever had help? That’s a whole new experience,” he said with a wink.
“Have you taken many baths with women?” she fired back with a glare. He felt almost giddy at the jealousy in her tone. If she was jealous, that was because she cared.
“Not once, but I’m always open to new experiences.”
Her stiff shoulders relaxed. “I find it hard to believe you haven’t, but I want to get in the tub before it cools off, so go away.”
“Your wish is my command,” he assured her as he gave her a bow. She tried to hide the smile, but he saw it. She enjoyed their sparring as much as he did.
He finally left. If he stood there much longer, he might find it impossible to leave. But as he moved out into the small living room, all
he could picture was her slowly stripping away her pajamas, then sinking down into the bubbly tub. He closed his eyes and imagined nothing but water and soap covering her silky smooth skin. His arousal throbbed. He reached down and squeezed the hardness through his sweatpants. It didn’t help the pressure to go away.
He moved to the kitchen and opened the liquor cupboard, grateful he had some smooth bourbon. He poured a double shot and downed it. Maybe it wasn’t the breakfast of champions, but he needed the heat to burn down his chest. It helped a little—not much, but a little. There were some Pop-Tarts in the cupboard as well, and though he hadn’t had one of those in years, it was surprisingly delicious.
About fifteen minutes went by before he needed to check on Sarah. He told himself it was only because she was sick, and he didn’t want her falling asleep in the tub and drowning. But it was more of a calling that he just needed to be with her—or at least in the same room as her. He felt at peace when he was with her—that was, when she wasn’t driving him absolutely crazy.
He moved to the door and didn’t hear a thing. He wanted to pop it open, but he also wanted to respect her. So he called in instead. “Are you still awake?”
“Mmm, yep,” she said with a content sigh. “This feels so good.”
She’d made that same sort of sound before with him on top of her. He was very, very aware of that. The bourbon was doing nothing for him now. The two seconds of relief it had offered weren’t nearly enough.
“Need some help?” he asked.
She chuckled. “I think I’m good,” she replied. But there was no animosity in her tone.
“I’m gonna just check to see for myself,” he told her. Then he slowly pushed the door open. She turned her head and looked at him, her eyes hooded, her mouth curved up in a content smile, her body barely covered by the depleting bubbles.
He might actually have a stroke. His heart was thundering and his body pulsing. He wondered if sex deprivation could cause a massive stroke or heart attack. At the moment that possibility seemed more than a little real.
“Thank you, Noah,” she said before her eyes drifted closed.
He moved toward her, wondering how smart a decision that was in his current state.
“For what?” he asked. He couldn’t see anything at the moment, as the bubbles were covering her, but he’d seen that delicious body before and knew exactly what the waterline was hiding.
“For caring so much and making sure I’m okay. I know this has been a pain for you, and I just want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
“I like being your knight,” he admitted. She was definitely sleepy, and he knew he should walk out of the bathroom and give her privacy, but she was like a siren calling to him. He couldn’t seem to walk away.
“I’m surprised, but I like it, too,” she said.
He shouldn’t sit with her, but he just did it without a conscious thought of what he was doing. One second he was standing there looking down at her angelic face, and the next he was sitting on the edge of the tub, much, much closer to her soapy, flushed body.
“Well then, I guess you won’t complain as I continue to watch out for you,” he said. His voice came out almost reverently. What this woman did to him was shocking. But he wasn’t afraid.
“I just might not,” she said, her lips turned up in a content smile. She moved her legs, and her knee popped up above the bubbles, making his body stir once more. She was so unbelievably gorgeous lying there so vulnerable.
He didn’t make a conscious effort to do so, but he reached out and ran his hand along the curve of her knee. Her skin was silky, tan, and beautiful. She was a perfect woman in every way he could’ve ever imagined.
Her eyes slowly opened, and their gazes connected in a heated look that had him pulsing. He’d wanted women before. He was a healthy man who loved sex. But he’d never needed a woman like he did her.
He wasn’t sure how much time passed as they gazed at each other with his hand on her knee. He squeezed her warm flesh and told himself to behave. This wasn’t the time for sex, even if she wanted it, which was probably not the case.
“You look a little dirty,” she said, looking shy, which confused him. “Maybe you should clean up.”
He was confused. “What?” He leaned closer to hear her.
“Do you want to join me?” Her cheeks flushed more than they already were, and his body went from hot to boiling.
Noah knew he wouldn’t be capable of speech right then. He also knew he should tell her no; this was her turn. But he also knew she’d take that as rejection. She wasn’t anywhere near a place she could have sex, but he certainly could suck it up and hold her, since that’s what she wanted and needed. He still didn’t trust his voice, though.
Slowly he stood and began peeling his clothes away. There was no chance he’d be able to hide his erection, but she might just have to suffer a little bit at the sight, ’cause he sure as heck was in a lot of pain. He had to keep telling himself, though, that even if she wanted sex, he couldn’t do it. He had to wait until she wasn’t sleepy, wasn’t on meds, and was making fully conscious decisions before they made love again.
She watched him the entire time he stripped his clothes away. It didn’t take him long, as he was wearing sweats and a T-shirt. When his pants came off, her eyes were drawn to the part of him that was hard and pulsing with moisture on the tip. She licked her lips, and he pulsed again. He was wondering again if he was going to be a man in his thirties who was otherwise healthy but would die of a stroke.
He didn’t stand outside the tub long. He was hoping the hot water would ease some of the pressure. His heart was thundering as he sank into the tub behind her. She instantly leaned back against him as he wrapped her in his arms. She let out a sigh as her fingers lay over his.
He was hurting feeling her pressed against him and his hands caressing her smooth stomach, but he was also comforted. He really did love to be pressed against her in any way possible. Neither of them said anything for several moments, and he found himself beginning to relax. Of course sex was on his brain, but it was getting pushed back a little as he held her, and she fully sank against him, giving him her complete trust.
She sighed a couple times as he ran his hands along her stomach and arms, making sure to avoid her plump breasts and the junction of her thighs. He had willpower, but every person had a breaking point. He knew what his would be.
They stayed that way for long enough for the water to cool. He didn’t want to let her go, didn’t want to climb from the tub. He was too happy right where he was. She shifted as she began to cool and sought out his body for heat. She buried her head against his neck, and he felt he could stay in that place forever.
“I could fall asleep,” she told him on a sigh, her lips moving against his skin. He chuckled as he shifted his fingers to rub her back. “I don’t understand how I could sleep again after doing so much of it for two days.”
“Don’t fight the need for rest. The more you sleep, the sooner you’ll feel better,” he said. “Let’s get you out of here.”
It was almost painful to pull away, but he unwrapped his arms from around her, then climbed from the tub and wrapped a towel around his waist before reaching in and helping her stand.
“Now I’m cold,” she said as her teeth chattered. He quickly wrapped her up in a towel and pulled her close as he rubbed her back, drying her off. She snuggled against him. He kissed her forehead, then gently lifted her into his arms.
“Noah transport at the ready,” he told her.
He felt her lips turn up against his neck. He moved into the bedroom and laid her on the bed. She was stunning, with her hair cascading over the pillow and her flushed skin that was barely covered by the towel.
“Time for your medicine,” he said, turning away.
“Okay, I won’t fight it anymore,” she said. Her eyes closed.
He got the medicine and helped her sit up to take it, then helped her lie back down. Not trusting himself to b
e naked beside her, he threw on a clean pair of sweats and then climbed in beside her. He was still aching, but the need to comfort her was driving him a lot more right now.
One thing Noah knew for certain was that he wasn’t going to let Sarah run away from him again. He wouldn’t ever wish her pain or misery, but he was enjoying being her caretaker while she was recovering. And in her vulnerability she was letting down her guard. He wasn’t going to allow her to put it back up again. She was now his, and he wasn’t going to ever let her go.
Noah felt like he was home for the first time in many years. He didn’t want to roam anymore. He didn’t want to be free. He wanted to be exactly where he was, with this woman at his side.
And he wanted it forever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The rays were shining in through the window when Sarah next woke. Her body felt a hundred times better, but not yet perfect. She stretched and found herself reaching for Noah. She came up with cold sheets. Her eyes snapped open, and she looked about the room.
She smiled again, though, because there wasn’t even a little part of her that was worried he’d gone somewhere. Something had shifted with the two of them the past few days, and she felt more confident in where they might be going. She wasn’t sure of the answers, as they hadn’t really discussed anything, but maybe she was ready to give it a real try.
Though she’d been in bed for days, she found herself snuggling under the blankets, not in a hurry to rise. She wasn’t going to stay in bed all day as she had the day before, but a few more seconds to think while she was on her own weren’t bad. She was grateful the achiness was beginning to dissipate.
It was so odd for her to let everything go and allow someone else to take care of her. But that’s exactly what she’d done over the past few days. She’d heavily relied on Noah, and she wasn’t even freaked out about it. The protection she’d built around herself for so long was crumbling a little more and a little more with each passing day.
Again that should make her worry, but right now she wasn’t allowing those kinds of thoughts in. She was beginning to realize that if Noah put his mind to something, he didn’t easily walk away from it. She wasn’t sure why or how it had happened, but somewhere and sometime he’d decided he wanted to be with her, and they were doing okay together.
