by Jaci Burton
After filling her tub, Kyle went into his bathroom and found something he wanted to pour into her bath water. When he came back, Sabrina was still sitting on the bed, her legs dangling over the side, head bent to her chest. Was she asleep sitting up? He shook his head, damning himself for being stupid enough to take a greenhorn out riding for six hours on her first day.
He prepared her bath and bent down on one knee to look at her. "Are you going to live?"
She lifted her head and nodded, making a pathetic attempt at a smile. "Just tired I think."
"Go take your bath, then, before you fall asleep."
Sabrina started to get up, then winced in pain when she put her feet on the ground. "I think I should just go to bed."
Kyle knew she was too sore to think about getting into the bathtub, but he also knew if she didn't relax those muscles tonight they would be even worse tomorrow. "Come on, I'll help you."
Apparently she wasn't so tired that she didn't guess the implication of his words. "I don't think so," she said with eyes wide.
"Look, you're in tremendous pain, and it's obvious if I don't help you're never going to get into the tub. I have no desire to ravage you, I just want to get you from here into the bathroom. Now will you let me help?"
Weakly, she nodded. He helped her stand and walk slowly into the bathroom, then stood her in front of the tub. "What do you need me to help you with?"
"Nothing."
He started to leave, but she didn't move, just stood where he left her.
"Do you need me to help you undress?"
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Sabrina's head whipped up, shock registering on her face. "I don't think so!"
Still he waited to see if any movement was forthcoming. Nothing. Not an inch.
"Let me help you. You're obviously hurting and can't even get your clothes off."
"No, really, I'm fine, see? I can do it myself." She grabbed the hem of her shirt and started to lift it up, then grimaced as she dipped from the waist.
"Fine my ass," he answered. "Are you going to stand here all night like this, or are you planning to bathe fully clothed?"
Sabrina paused as if actually considering the idea. "I guess not."
"Then let me help you."
She chewed her lower lip indecisively. "If you could help me get this T-shirt over my head, I'm sure I can manage the rest. The shorts should just fall off after I unbutton them."
Kyle tried his best to force aside the image of Sabrina's shorts pooling at her feet. Instead, he helped her raise her arms, and without looking any more than necessary, lifted the shirt over her head and tossed it on the floor.
The good news was she had a bra on. The bad news was it was low-cut, white, lacy, and practically see through. Her full breasts damn near poured over the top of the tiny bits of material, and Kyle could just make out rosy pink nipples through the sheer lacy cloth. Nipples that hardened as he looked at them. He raised his eyes to her face. She was watching him. And she was blushing.
He shrugged and grinned. "Sorry, couldn't help it. I said I wouldn't ravage you, I didn't say I wouldn't look."
She managed an exhausted smile as he turned to leave.
"If you need anything, just yell. I'll be in my room and I'll leave the door open in case you need help." She nodded and he made his escape.
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He entered his room, stripped off his clothes and turned on the shower. Damned if it wasn't going to have to be another cold one.
He paced, the cold shower having done nothing to lift his mood, which grew darker by the minute. The sounds of Sabrina in the bathtub conjured up all kinds of images he really didn't want to see. Then it got quiet. Too quiet. He worried she might fall asleep in there and drown.
He listened for sounds of activity coming from the bathroom as he stood in the doorway between their rooms. Nothing. Finally, he could stand it no longer.
"Sabrina?"
No answer.
"Sabrina." This time a little louder.
At last, a weak answer. "Yes?"
Relief flooded Kyle's mind. At least she wasn't dead.
"Are you doing okay in there?"
"Um, sorta."
What did that mean? "What do you mean, sorta?"
"I have a slight problem."
"What?"
"I can't get up."
Damn. He knew what that meant. He walked into Sabrina's bedroom, stopping at the doorway to her bathroom. "You need me to help you?"
No answer.
"Sabrina."
"Yeah?"
"Do you need me to help you get out of the tub?"
"No! I can do it!"
"Then do it." Kyle leaned against the doorjamb, waiting.
Silence. Then he heard a slight splash and a groan, followed by a heavy sigh of frustration. She couldn't do it.
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"Sabrina."
"What?"
"Let me help you get out."
"I don't think so."
"You obviously can't do it yourself, I can help."
Kyle waited while she thought it over.
"Kyle?" Sabrina's voice was quiet, almost a whisper.
"Yes?"
"I'm naked in here."
Didn't he know it. Already, visions of Sabrina in the tub were arousing everything male in him. So much for the cold shower. His cock was hard and clamoring for attention. Any kind of attention, but preferably Sabrina's.
"I'm aware of that fact. But it seems to me you have two choices. Stay in there until your muscles start to work, which could be tomorrow, or let me help you get out."
No answer.
"Sabrina!"
"Um, I guess so. I'm sorry, I tried, but my muscles are so stiff they're not cooperating."
Great. This is your punishment Kyle. You have no one to blame but yourself. You did this to her, now you have to suffer because of it. Glumly, he wondered if eternity in hell wouldn't be a better penalty than what he was about to face.
"All right, I'm coming in."
Without looking in the direction of the tub, Kyle entered the bathroom and stared at the opposite wall. "I'm going to grab a towel.
Then I'll lift you out of the tub, and we'll get the towel around you, okay?"
"Yes."
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Weak, pitiful response. She must really be hurting to allow a man she barely knew into her bathroom while she was sitting naked in the tub. "I promise, Sabrina, I won't look."
Then she giggled softly. Of all things. "I'm not worried, Kyle. I trust you."
Well that was the biggest mistake she could ever make. He was hard already and he hadn't seen or touched her yet. Foolish woman.
Grabbing a towel from the linen closet and slinging it over his shoulder, Kyle backed up to the bathtub, then closed his eyes and turned to face her.
"You're going to have to help me. Reach out and grab my arms so I know where you are." Sabrina did as she was instructed, and Kyle felt warm, wet hands grabbing his arms. He hadn't bothered to put on a shirt after his shower, and her slippery skin glided over his forearms.
She giggled again, a low throaty sound that was driving him crazy.
"You look silly with your eyes all scrunched tight like that."
Kyle grunted. At least she was looking at his face. If her gaze traveled south she'd see something that wasn't silly at all. At least not to him. His erection was dead serious about straining against his jeans. "Put your arms around my shoulders, I'm going to lift you up."
He bent over and slid his arms under Sabrina's so he could get a grip on her, then lifted her to a standing position. She grunted in pain at the change of position.
The scent of lavender filled the air. God. Warm, wet, sweet-smelling naked woman. He heaved a sigh and pulled the towel off his shoulder.
His blindness hindered him, and while trying to wrap the towel around her he brushed his hand again
st a full, warm breast. A breast whose nipple puckered and hardened the second his hand touched it.
Kyle heard Sabrina's sharp intake of breath. It took every ounce of willpower he could muster not to slide his palm over her breast again, to feel its fullness and weight in his hand, to lower his mouth and taste her.
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"Sorry." No he wasn't. It had been like touching a slice of heaven.
A moment of silence passed before she answered. "It's all right."
Kyle needed to get out of there, and fast. He fastened the towel between her breasts, feeling them rise and swell against his knuckles as he tucked one end of the towel into the deep valley between them. God help him, this was the worst form of torture he'd ever endured. Placing one arm behind her back and the other under her thighs, he lifted Sabrina out of the tub and set her on the floor.
He finally opened his eyes and looked at her. She was far sexier in that towel than he ever could have imagined. Flushed from the hot bath, her hair was swept up on top of her head and the tired look in her eyes only made her more desirable. It wasn't fair.
"Are you okay now?"
"Uh huh."
"Fine. Just put that salve on and by tomorrow you'll be good as new."
"Umm..."
Good Lord, now what? "What?"
"I can't reach."
Of course he hadn't thought about that. The most tender spots would be her upper thighs and rear end, and she wouldn't be able to reach them in her current condition.
"I'll get Jenna. Maybe she's home by now."
"Thanks," Sabrina answered weakly.
Kyle went to his room and dialed Jenna's number. No answer.
Dammit. He walked to the French doors and looked out. No lights. They hadn't returned from shopping.
"She's not back yet," Kyle said as he stood in the doorway to Sabrina's room.
"I can do without the salve."
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Hell and damnation. No she couldn't. The salve needed to be applied while the muscles were softened by the warm bath or it wouldn't be as effective.
"I'll do it."
"No!" Sabrina said sharply.
"Sabrina, I thought you said you trusted me."
"Yeah, I trusted you not to look. This would require...touching."
He was goddamn well aware of what it would require. Every part of his male anatomy was screaming for him to run like hell. He was hot, aching, and hard as stone. And he'd damn well better earn heaven points for doing this.
"You need to have this done, and since I'm the only one around, it'll have to be me."
"Kyle, I can't let you do that. It's...inappropriate."
"Hell, Sabrina, I have a little sister. I've seen her naked butt more times than I care to." Of course he didn't mention that Jenna was four years old at the time.
"Still, it wouldn't be right."
He raked his hands through his hair in frustration. It wasn't as if he was dying to touch her. Not in a medicinal way anyway. But he needed to convince her the salve was necessary.
"Do you want to be able to get back on that horse again tomorrow?"
"Of course I do."
Finally he was getting somewhere. "If I don't rub this salve on you, you'll be so sore tomorrow you won't be able to ride for days." Now for the clincher. "You have a lot to learn in three short months, and you can't afford to waste a day. Now are you going to stand here and waste my time arguing or are we going to get to it?"
He watched Sabrina's face. She chewed her lower lip as she considered his words. Then she looked at him, as if deciding whether she
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could trust him with her body. If Sabrina was as smart as he thought she was, she wouldn't trust him at all.
"Okay," she said finally. "What should I do?"
What should she do? It would be great if she'd remove her towel, lie down on her back on the bed, and let him make love to her. Then he could relieve both their aches.
"Lie down on the bed on your stomach, and I'll rub this salve on your as--uhh, bottom and legs. It will only take a few minutes, then I'll get out of here so you can get some rest."
And he'd go back to his room and jack off. His balls were quivering, goddammit.
She regarded him warily, with a mixture of innocence and uncertainty. Eventually pain won out over modesty, because she turned and gingerly lowered herself face down on the bed.
Kyle stood there for a moment, transfixed and unable to move. The towel barely covered her upper thighs, and Sabrina had untied it from her breasts when she lay down. Spread out over her, it was the only thing hiding her body from his view.
His breathing came in rasps as he struggled for oxygen to fuel his brain. All the blood in his body rushed to his dick and was now working overtime, causing him an incredible amount of discomfort.
This was surely going to kill him.
"Um...Kyle?"
"Yeah?" For some reason he couldn't move.
"Are you going to start soon?"
Oh, he certainly hoped so. Very, very soon.
"Huh?"
"The massage."
Oh that. "Yeah, right now. Are you ready?" He certainly was. More than ready. Ready, willing, and excruciatingly able.
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Sabrina mumbled something that sounded more like mmhmm than anything intelligible, but Kyle wasn't sure since her face was buried in her arms.
"This will be a little cold at first." Kyle applied the salve to his hands, then started at the lower half of her thighs. Sabrina winced and tightened when he first applied pressure to her legs, but then relaxed as he softly kneaded the muscles. Her legs were firm and muscular, which worked in her favor. She'd recover more quickly since she was already in shape.
Kyle forced himself to think of what he was doing as an act of mercy.
Sabrina was in pain, and he was helping her. That was it, nothing more.
The sooner he finished the job, the quicker he'd be able to extricate himself from this tortuous task. Wryly he wondered where the mercy for his condition was.
He moved further up her thighs, lightly sliding his hands under the towel. Sabrina sighed and instinctively parted her legs to allow him better access to her inner thighs.
Agony. Torture. This was horrible. Sabrina had the softest, most perfect skin he had ever felt. Coupled with the fact he could touch but not see, his tactile senses were working overtime. Every stroke of his hands on her body, every one of her quiet moans in response to the pressure on her muscles, caused Kyle's breath to catch. He wanted to moan like Sabrina, but for a completely different reason.
He used light pressure to massage her inner thighs, taking great care not to touch her intimately. But he wanted to. God how he wanted to.
Kyle had reached the point where he was certain his physical pain was much worse than Sabrina's.
Now for her rear end. He doubted it could get any worse. Kyle poured more salve on his hands, then reached further under the towel, searching for the twin globes. When he felt the rise of her buttocks at the
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back of her thighs, he gently began massaging in a circular motion. Then Kyle realized he had been right. It was worse.
Sabrina's ass was soft as satin, yet firm. Kyle felt her muscles relax under his ministrations, but still he kept on, mesmerized. He could do this all night long. Actually, there were other things he'd like to do with Sabrina all night long. Visuals of pulling her to the end of the bed, parting her thighs further and sinking between her pussy lips had his cock lurching against his jeans.
A man shouldn't be tormented like this. It would be so easy to cup her sex and bring her relief from the tension soaring through her body.
Then, when he had her fully relaxed, he'd unzip his jeans and drive his cock into her hot pussy, relieving the pounding ache that he'd been living with since she first stepped foot on
the ranch yesterday.
But as he worked, he heard unmistakable sounds. Not the slight moans he had heard earlier, but even, steady breathing, followed by a soft, incredibly girly snore. He leaned over to look at her face.
She was asleep. Deeply, soundly, asleep. Kyle was aroused to the point of wanting to howl at the moon, and she had been completely unaffected by the whole thing. In fact, he had put her out like a boxer cold-cocking his opponent.
So much for his seduction skills. Kyle pulled back the covers on Sabrina's bed, and gently turned her so he could wrap them around her.
She didn't budge an inch.
He walked to the doorway to his room, looked longingly at the beautiful woman slumbering peacefully under the covers, and turned out the light. Sleep would be the best thing for her.
But sleep wouldn't come for him tonight. Not yet. He was too wound up, too agitated. Too damned aroused to even think about sleeping.
No cold shower was going to quell the heat he was feeling right now.
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Chapter Five
New horses and cattle were arriving. Sabrina watched from the porch as the deliveries were made. Mother cows and their babies marched out of the loading truck in pairs like the survivors from Noah's Ark. Men on horseback shouted and whistled, driving the cattle into a nearby pen.
They'd be taken out to the grazing pasture along with the Rocking M's existing cattle.
The horses had arrived a couple days ago. Twenty beautiful quarter horses had been bought at auction earlier in the week. According to Kyle, Brady had done a good job selecting the new stock and they'd be invaluable working animals for the ranch.
Sabrina watched the whole process in awe. Between the new horses and cattle, the ranch was hopping. A multitude of activities occurred simultaneously. Each hand knew their job and did it without hesitation or question. In the middle of it all, shouting orders and organizing, was Kyle.
The mere thought of their intimate, if innocent, encounter the other evening had her body heating all over. Gentleman that he was, he never brought it up in the days following, but Sabrina remembered.
She had been hurting, that much was certain. Thank heavens Kyle had the wherewithal to know what needed to be done to alleviate the pain. When she woke the next morning, she had been a bit sore, but it could have been worse if Kyle hadn't attended to her.
The night he took care of her, Kyle had been tender and compassionate, never once asking for anything in return. He didn't
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berate her or make her feel foolish like her ex-husband would have. Mark would have used her pain as an opportunity to make her feel stupid, until she'd end up apologizing for her own pain.
