Night Fury: Second Act by Belle Aurora Read Free Book Online Page A

fingernails. His groan turns into a slow guttural growl.
    Using the washcloth, I trickle water over his head, rinsing his hair.
    Gripping the back of his head, I gently rest his neck on the rim of the tub and take hold of a bar of soap.
    Xavier doesn’t open his eyes as I lift one arm out of the water and go over it with the soapy cloth. I wash his arms and legs, his neck and as I reach his torso, my stomach clenches.
    Geez. This is really intimate. This probably wasn’t such a good idea.
    I try hard as I can to keep this clinical , but the truth is, Xavier is an attractive man. I tell myself I’m unaffected.
    Yep. Unaffected.
    So unaffected.
    Not even affected. Nope.
    As the washcloth moves from his neck, down his chest, over his puckered nipples and down to his belly, his stomach clenches and I wonder if he’s as unaffected as I am.
    Dropping the cloth into the water, I stand, startled and rush out, “All done. Let’s get you out.” Like, now .
    He stands and my gaze is immediately drawn to his wet boxers.
    My eyes widen. My cheeks flush.
    I stare openly at the crotch of his boxers. His tented boxers.
    Turning, I take the towel and avoid eye contact as I hold it open for him. He takes it from me and wraps it around himself, pulling his boxers down his legs, dropping them into the bathwater.
    He mutters quietly, embarrassed, “Sorry. I’m sorry.”
    I shake my head as if it’s nothing and swallow hard. “Don’t worry about it.”
    He continues quietly, desperate to explain, “It’s just that it’s been a long time since I’ve had a woman touch me. And I know it’s fucked , but you’re a woman. And you’re beautiful. And it’s hard—”
    I make a chocking sound and bite my tongue to stop myself from bursting into laughter.
    I spot his grin and he cringes. “I meant it’s difficult to not react. I’m sorry. Really.”
    Still trying to avoid his gaze, I stare into his dewy chest and reply breathily, “I understand.” Walking backward, I tell him, “I’ll just get you some spare clothes. If you feel weak or tired, sit on the edge of the tub.”
    I walk out of the bathroom to find Bob leaning against the wall dressed only in his pajama pants, hair dishevelled, just woken.
    My heart stops.
    Uh oh.
    But then he smiles. A proud smile. Gripping the back of my neck, he pulls me in and kisses my forehead. My eyes close and my heart constricts from the show of emotion. “Good morning.”
    With his lips against me, he mumbles, “You’re a good girl, Cat.”
    And with that, he turns and walks away, leaving me feeling warm and happy, and unusually Christian-like.

Chapter Nine

    “How many times must I tell you to watch what you say? We have guests,” Ari hisses heatedly.
    Frankie rolls her eyes. “O kay , Ms Partypooper. Chill out, will you? No one’s even in here.”
    The two would-be nuns, totally dressed the part, keep me company while I bake. They’ve already spotted the bags under my eyes and made obnoxious comments that people who care about you just do. I decide to tell them about my little night adventure with Xavier.
    Moving around the kitchen, gathering ingredients from here and there, I try to work it in. “How about cranberry white choc muffins today? You think Tomas will eat them? I hope he does. You know, maybe I should wait for him to get up. He might like to help me cook. I should clean the workbench. Speaking of cleaning, I helped Xavier bathe this morning around five a.m. Do you think he’d like cranberry white choc muffins?”
    When neither of them says anything, I peek up to find them both gaping at me.
    My cheeks begin a slow burn. “Well?”
    Frankie blinks then chuckles, “You just threw that in there, huh? Like we wouldn’t notice?”
    My shoulders slump. I look up, sheepishly. “I was kind of hoping. Yeah.”
    Ari smiles softly, standing gracefully behind the counter . “What has happened to your gung-ho attack on the boy?”
    Honesty is best with these two. I tip flour