Laura shivered as her mind conjured up other ways Jay could help ease her aches. Ways like he had earlier that afternoon.
He didn’t wait for her to answer. “Come on.” Capturing her hand in his, he led her across the hall. “I’ll run it for you.”
Heat and strength radiated from him and warmed her all over as he guided her to the bathroom. She sat on the edge of his gray porcelain tub and watched him adjust the water temperature. As her heart turned over in her chest, she wondered exactly when it was that she’d fallen in love with him.
“That should do it.” He tilted his head. “I’ll grab you one of my T-shirts to wear. I’ll be back in a minute.”
Her body tingled in anticipation as she counted the seconds.
Before he left her alone to bathe in private, he lit a candle and dimmed the lights. The perfect atmosphere for a seduction, she mused.
Minutes later she found herself stretched out in his bathtub. The candle flickering on the counter provided soft lighting while the warm, heated water soothed her tired, aching muscles. She washed her body, then dropped the scented bar of soap, letting it fall between her thighs.
A moment later a knock sounded on the door. “Come in,” she said, wondering why he was knocking. It wasn’t like he bothered knocking earlier today when he caught her in her underwear in the director’s bathroom.
“Are you decent?” he asked.
That depended on what he considered decent. Her thoughts certainly weren’t. “I’m naked.”
His chuckle reverberated through the door. “If I see anything I’ve never seen before, I’ll shoot it.”
Always the smart-ass. Before she had time to answer, the door inched open.
He pitched his voice low. “I just thought you’d like a cup of tea. I know how you like to have a cup before bed.”
“Oh yeah?” She raised a curious brow. “How do you know that?”
He shrugged. “You always have a cup at the lab when we work late.”
She gazed at his handsome face shimmering in the golden candlelight. “Thanks.” Her heart reached out to him.
“You’re welcome.” He held the cup out for her and perched on the side of the tub.
God, she couldn’t believe how jittery, how vulnerable she suddenly felt. Then again, it wasn’t every day she stepped out of her comfort level and offered herself completely to Jay, body and heart. And she was about to find out, once and for all, whether the enhancer had been ruling his actions or if he really had it bad for her.
She drew a fortifying breath, sat up, and exposed her soapy breasts as she accepted the hot tea. She took a small sip. “Mmmm. It’s good,” she whispered. Seemingly pleased, the corners of his mouth lifted in a half smile.
He dipped one hand in the water and ran his warm, wet fingers along the back of her neck. She loved how he touched her in such a familiar way. Her body shuddered at the onslaught of pleasure.
Working on her seduction skills, she leaned forward and blew into her mug. Long wisps of wet hair spilled forward and brushed across her nipples. The sensation hardened her pale buds.
She tilted her head back and watched Jay, gauging his reaction.
The cords on his throat worked as his gaze dropped from her mouth to her breasts. By small degrees she noted the change in his posture. He compressed his lips as he drove his fingers through his tousled hair.
Was that desire she spotted in his baby blues before he averted his gaze? A thrill rushed through her.
Instantaneously, her bliss disappeared when he leapt from the side of the tub. Conflicting emotions churned in his eyes. The change in his mood occurred so swiftly it caught her off guard.
“You should get some sleep. It’s late, and you’ve been through a lot tonight.” His voice sounded tight. “And we have a lot of work to do tomorrow.” He pulled his robe from the hook beside the vanity and draped it across the sink before he left. “I laid a T-shirt out for you on the bed.” The sound of the door clicking shut behind him left her chilled.
At that precise moment she knew it for certain; her worst fears were confirmed. Not only was Jay not interested in playing for keeps, he didn’t even have it bad for her.
The lingering effects of the enhancer had been ruling his actions.
Laura swallowed the lump clogging her throat. She was never going to walk out of this apartment with her heart intact.
Feeling very weary, she climbed from the tub, quickly towel-dried herself, and hurried back to his room. After slipping into one of his long T-shirts, she turned the light off, climbed into his bed, and drew the covers up to her neck.
Burying her face into the pillowcase, she inhaled. His masculine scent permeated the sheets.
Slivers of silvery light from the full moon high overhead drifted in through the parted curtains and bathed the bed in a warm sensual glow, setting the perfect mood for lovers. Lovers! Cripes, how could she have ever let herself believe they were lovers? That there was more between them? This was all just a goddamn experiment. Now she really wished she had stayed in those self-defense classes, so she could kick her own ass!
“How are you feeling? Do you need anything?”
His soft whisper startled her. Her gaze darted to the door. He stood there, leaning against the doorjamb, his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans, looking so damn handsome.
She worked to sound casual as her heart beat in a mad cadence. “No. I’m fine.”
“How about the bump on your head? Does it still hurt?”
She brushed her fingertips over the bump. “The swelling has gone down.” Swelling. Oh God, her mind conjured up the wicked ways Jay had taken down her swelling earlier that day.
Jay crossed the room. The mattress dipped as he sat on the edge
