The water was lukewarm, but it was pleasant to sit in it. Laney was on her knees in front of me, roaming her hands on my chest and massaging my shoulders. Her breasts were right in my face. I couldn’t resist licking one nipple.
She gasped. “Hey! What did we say about no hijacking?”
With a lazy smile, I leaned my back against the tub, placing my hands on the edges.
“Keep them there,” Laney said sternly.
“Will do, doc.”
“Close your eyes.”
I leaned the back of my head on the edge of the tub, eyelids closed, smi
ling when I heard Laney pour shower gel on her palms, then rub it on my chest and shoulders.
“I like this,” I murmured.
“I like taking care of you,” she said. Without opening my eyes, I reached out for her, pulling her flush against me, kissing the top of her head. For as long as I remembered, it had been about sealing the next deal, winning the next project. I’d never felt this sort of fulfillment, not one day of my life. I could feel Laney’s heartbeat against my chest. This was a huge leap for her, I could tell by how soft with emotion her voice was.
I wanted to claim just a little more of her, until I owned her completely. I was determined to make it happen, no matter what it took.
Chapter Eighteen
Cole
Next morning, I woke up to the sound of hummed music. I walked through the apartment, finding Laney in the guest bathroom. She was wearing one of my T-shirts and no panties, EarPods plugged in. Her iPhone was propped on the counter next to the sink, and a dance routine was playing on it.
Laney was mimicking the moves—some more successfully than others—and humming. She didn’t notice me immediately, even though I was visible in the mirror, but when she did, she shrieked. Turning around, her right leg glided on the tiles; one EarPod flew to the floor. I caught her by the arms, steadying her. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes wide.
“Don’t break your neck, doc.”
She blew out a breath, straightening up. Her smile was sassy as she took out the other device.
“I was doing perfectly fine until you scared me. It’s the only workout I can stick to.”
“Why were you doing it in the bathroom?”
“I didn’t want to wake you up.” She blinked. “But I did anyway, right? Crap.”
“I heard you humming. But it’s all good. You just have to do one thing, and you’re forgiven.”
“Oh?”
“Shower with me.”
Laney threw her head back, laughing. I tugged at the hem of her shirt, and she wiggled her eyebrows.
“Are you offering to take off my clothes?”
“Yes,” I said seriously. “Whenever you need that job done, call me. I’m up for it.”
She raised both arms, holding them in the air. I yanked the shirt up over her head, kissing her shoulder and collarbone.
“I see. This is a double mission. I get bonus kisses.”
I kissed from one collarbone to the other, teasing her skin with my tongue.
“Cole,” she muttered. “Shower.”