And if a niggling memory of soft lips and vulnerable curves wasn’t so easy to ignore…
He wasn’t a horny teenager. He’d control himself, get the job done and leave, his conscience clear.
With that settled, he strode to the car, the rain—hallelujah—finally abating. He grabbed his cell phone to deliver the news to the family who would understand.
And his agent, who would not.
Chapter Seven
Raina was swinging, high in the air. Above her, lacy new spring-green leaves danced in the breeze. She arched back, thrust her toes out, trying to touch just one branch. One tiny leaf.
The swing ropes popped, jerked her out of the smooth arc.
“Careful there, Rainie girl. I have no medicine for a cracked head.”
“I can do it, Gran. Just watch me.” Fiercely, Raina concentrated, using all the power her thin legs could summon to go higher once more.
Gran chuckled. “Those leaves are a long ways up there, you know. You get high enough, that swing’s liable to dump you right out on your pointy little noggin.”
Raina giggled. “My head’s not pointy.” She squinted, wondering how much higher she’d have to kick to make it.
“You got a will on you, girl, I’ll say that. You put that spunk to use, you hear? Don’t let anyone hold you back. You can do anything you have a mind to do, if you just won’t give up. Quitters don’t win, and winners don’t quit.”
“I want to be a winner, Gran.”
“Then you can be. What is it you want to win, child?”
Raina’s gaze strayed to the leaves above, but she knew Gran meant something else. Something more important than touching a high branch.
She pondered all the things she wanted: a house where she and Mama could stay in one place; a puppy of her own; a bicycle and maybe even a pair of skates.
But there was one thing she wanted above all else, one wish she had no idea how to obtain.
“A daddy,” she said, the swing slowing now, twisting from side to side as she turned to face Gran. “I want to get a daddy of my own, Gran. But I don’t know how.”
Gran looked a little sad then. “Sugar, that’s not up to you. Your mama—”
Raina’s chin jutted. “She says we’re just fine without one.” Her head cocked. “So why does she keep bringing those men who—?”
“What did you say, child?”
“Nothing.” Raina had to protect Mama. Mama wasn’t well, and when she was sick, she had to have her tonic. She depended on Raina to be there when she was so tired and sad. If Raina couldn’t care for Mama well enough, people would try to take her away; Mama told her that.
Sometimes Raina wondered what it would be like to live with Gran all the time, but Mama had warned her that Gran was too old, that being responsible for a little girl would hurt her. That Gran might die.
Raina didn’t want Gran to die. Gran’s cabin was the only place Raina felt safe.
But she couldn’t leave Mama, anyway. Who would get Mama her tonic? Who would protect her from—
Raina’s mind skittered away from the thought of her mother’s latest boyfriend, Al.
Suddenly, Raina knew it was time to return. “Gran, I have to go home. Mama might need me.”
“Your mama—” Gran pursed her lips tight. “She’ll be fine for now.”
“No.” Stubbornly, Raina shook her head. “You don’t understand. I’m the one who—” She stopped, conscious that she couldn’t talk about Mama’s medicine to anyone, even Gran.
Gran’s hands stilled the swing rope. Blue eyes much like her own studied Raina. “Sweetie, it’s not your job to fix your mother. She has to do that for herself.”
Raina’s eyes widened. “No—you’re wrong, Gran.” She leaped from the high swing, the ground a hard jolt. “I’m her big girl, the only person she trusts.”
Gran’s hands closed around her arms and gently drew Raina up. Her eyes were solemn, her voice sad. “Would you like to stay here with me all the time, Rainie girl?”
Raina wanted that more than anything besides a daddy, but she remembered Mama’s warning and shook her head. She would die herself if anything happened to Gran. “I can’t.”
Gran frowned. “Why not?”
Raina’s stomach started hurting. She wrenched herself from Gran’s arms. “I just can’t—” she shouted.
Gran reached for her again, but Raina dodged her grasp. “I have to go home. Mama can’t do without me. We’ll go to Noah’s store and call Mama to come get me. I’ve been gone too long.” No matter how desperately she wanted to stay in this place where she didn’t have to worry that Mama would run out of tonic or that some man like Al would—
“Raina Donovan, stop your mind now,” Gran ordered. “You get yourself under control, you hear me?” She clasped Raina’s wrist firmly and shook her gently.
Caught in the terror that she’d been here too long and Gran would die if Raina didn’t go back to take care of Mama, Raina struggled with all the strength of her ten-year-old body now almost as tall as Gran’s. “No—leave me be, Gran,” she pleaded. “I have to go back, don’t you understand?”
Something sad and terrible rode in her grandmother’s eyes. “Your mama is gone away, Rainie. You know that. You’ll stay here with me now, and we’ll do just fine.”
“Then I’ll find her—” Raina jerked her wrist again. “I have to—I can’t—” With a mighty yank, Raina broke Gran’s grip.
Only to see Gran fall back and hit the ground hard.
Frozen in horror, Raina screamed for help—
Her screams woke her up. Raina fought her way out of the paralyzing grasp of terror, stumbling from the bed, tripping over blankets. Barely catching herself before she tumbled to the floor, chest heaving as she battled to remember that she’d been dreaming. That Gran had been unhurt, had nestled an inconsolable Raina in her arms. Had said she never doubted that Raina hadn’t meant to hurt her.
Raina had been there for two or three more weeks, as best she could recall, but never once had she been able to relax again, her worst fears brought to life that she would be the reason she lost Gran forever. When Mama had returned minus Al, Raina had said goodbye to Gran once more with mingled relief and intense sorrow.
Gran would be safe. Mama would be safe. All Raina had to do was protect them both, and everything would be fine.
The old ache didn’t recede with the light of day. Gran was gone for good now. Raina hadn’t been able to prevent that, just as she hadn’t been able to save her mother. Shaken by the hollow ache widening to encompass her entire chest, Raina clasped her arms around her middle, then gasped as pain struck. She looked down at her left arm and saw the bandage. Felt the sting in her foot. Rolled back through memories: the swing, Hal’s kindness. The shelter he’d offered—
Her gaze drifted to the fire, long dead now. The ancient tub on the hearth. The bath he’d insisted on drawing for her.
She peered inside. The water level was higher. A kettle steamed on the hook over the fireplace.
Just then, the door opened and Hal stepped inside, bearing two more buckets of water. His eyebrows lifted. “Hey—how’s the burn?”
She glanced down at the bandage. “It’s better. I—” Her eyes shifted away, then back. “Thank you.” She nodded toward the tub. “Is that—?”
“For you? Yeah. I thought maybe—” He looked as unsure as she felt.
“It’s so much trouble.” She forced herself to face him. “Why?”
“You don’t think you deserve it?”
What could she say? They stared at each other, and she wondered what was going on behind his eyes. Beautiful eyes. Beautiful man.
Desire swirled in the room, brushing their flesh like a cat twining around ankles, purring with pleasure.
Then he stirred. “Water’s hot. I’ll pour it in and then you can—” He frowned and turned away, busied himself pouring the water from the kettle into the tub, then testing the heat and adding cold water from the well.
>
A part of Raina squirmed, wanting to tell him to get out, to stop confusing her. To leave her alone so she could reconcile all these emotions rocketing around inside her.
But a part of her, a treacherous, unfamiliar landscape, wished that he would stay. Join her in that tub. Be her guide through territory she’d never crossed, the land where men and women met without power plays, freed from shame and duty…
“See what you think.” He stepped back from the tub. “If it’s too hot, I’ll fetch more water from the well.”
“I…” Raina was caught up in wondering. Remembering his body against hers, so hard, so warm. So strong and safe…but not safe at all.
She spun and gave him her back. “I’m sure it’s fine.” She was compelled to make the offer. “Why don’t you use it first.”
“Raina.”
Her name. Only her name, but something in the timbre of his voice vibrated deep inside her. Slid past every shaky defense she’d been able to erect between her and the world.
“Look at me.”
She shook her head. “No,” she whispered. “I can’t.”
“Who hurt you, honey?”
The gentleness nearly undid her. “No one. It’s all my fault.” And if he asked her for details, she was terrified that she’d spill every one.
Instead, he said nothing. One minute he was by the fire, a safe distance away.
The next, he stood right behind her, the heat of him sliding over her back, warming her. Protecting her.
“Don’t.” Her voice was a broken murmur. “Don’t be nice to me.”
“I think you’ve had too little kindness in your life,” he said. “Let me take care of you tonight, Raina.” His hands curled around her shoulders.
She knew she should resist. If he had any idea what kind of person she really was…
But oh, how desperately she wanted to yield. “You don’t understand who I am. What I’ve done.” She tried one more time to warn him.
A faint laugh shook him. “I’m the last person to judge you.” His breath wafted over her nape. “It’s just a bath, Raina.” His fingers tightened, then eased. Suddenly, cool air replaced his warmth. “Okay. I’ll wait outside.”
No. She nearly cried out, sensing the loss of something rare and precious.
Time and experience, though, had taught her to ask for nothing. If she let herself want, she would head back into that terrifying cycle of cravings that could never be fulfilled.
So Raina stood with her back to the door, head bowed, legs trembling. Hands fisted around the buttons of her shirt to keep from begging him to stay.
The cold air swept inside. The door clicked softly.
Biting her lip against the overpowering sense of loss, Raina focused only on one button at a time. One minute. Just survive the next minute. That’s all you have to do.
Once stripped of all clothing, she climbed into the water, hissing at the heat of it, then settled down and let her head fall onto her bent knees as the warmth of it seeped beneath her skin.
But the warmth couldn’t reach into the cold, empty heart of her.
He could. Somehow, he could. She didn’t understand why. She only knew that she wanted…needed…
More than she could afford to take.
Raina settled into the tub, relaxing inch by inch. Muscle by muscle. With a deep sigh, she concentrated on forgetting what she had just passed up.
Liam braced his arms against the porch railing, reviling himself, his upbringing—
His frustration level, too much of which was decidedly sexual.
What was it with him? How could he want a woman like her, a skinny, overwrought bundle of nerves and God knows what other baggage?
She played against type, though, something that had always held an inordinate appeal for Liam. It was cousin to the urge that had him considering the small movie over the surefire blockbuster, the antihero role when he’d been so clearly typecast as the hero. The All-American Liam Sullivan.
Liam snorted. There was nothing all-American about the urge he had to breach that doorway. Climb inside that tub, naked as the day he was born—
And cuddle a creature so wounded he’d probably scare her half to death.
Lots of women had stirred his libido. This one hit too close to his heart.
Damn it all to hell.
Liam hung his head and laughed without mirth. A fine fix you’ve got yourself in, hotshot. What the devil were you thinking?
A chill shook him. Why hadn’t he brought a jacket outside? He backed up against the cabin wall, closing his arms against the brisk wind. He’d just have to wait. How long could it take?
Then he recalled the hour-long showers that were part of Kelly’s normal routine.
But Kelly was all girl, self-centered and self-indulgent. The woman inside…
Raina Donovan hadn’t pampered herself in a long time, if ever, he’d bet anything.
Liam shivered and tucked his arms closer to his body. The rain was gone, but the wind had picked up, slicing right through the thin fabric of his T-shirt.
Okay. He’d go inside, avert his eyes. Be in there only long enough to grab the jacket in his bag.
Right? His conscience demanded.
He frowned. Then sighed.
Right.
He raised his hand and knocked on the door.
Raina jerked at the sound of his knuckles rapping. She’d nearly fallen asleep, lulled by the warmth. “What is it?”
“It’s getting cold. I need my jacket.”
“Oh.” She huddled in the water. “All right. Come in.”
The door opened, letting in the draft. “Sorry.” Long strides crossed the room.
Carefully, Raina studied the fire, waiting for him to leave.
But he didn’t. Ponderous silence was broken only by the popping of sparks.
She buried her face against her knees.
“You okay?”
Head down, she nodded. She lowered her arms to clasp her legs. “Oh—” She hissed against the sting of the burn.
“What’s wrong?” Instantly, he was right there beside her.
She jerked her arm out. Shook her head. “Nothing.”
Disapproval colored his voice. “You’ve gotten the bandage wet. I’ll fix it.”
“No—” She lifted her face.
Saw hunger, rich and ripe. No one had ever looked at her that way. “Don’t—” But she couldn’t break the lock of his gaze on hers.
“I want to take care of you, Raina.” His eyes mesmerized her. In the firelight, they glowed golden. Crackled with more than reflected flames.
“You’ve barely met me,” she whispered.
“You’re right.” He nodded as he knelt beside the tub. Drew closer. “It doesn’t seem to matter.”
His expression reflected her own confusion. “I don’t know what to do. You shouldn’t be here,” she protested.
A wry smile curved his lips. “You ain’t just whistlin’ Dixie.” Voice gone husky, he averted his gaze and lifted her arm, then peeled the bandage away with care. “Try to think of me as a nurse.” A quick, wry grin. “I’ll try, too.”
He rose. “Stay right there.” In moments he was back, towel and first-aid kit in hand. Forehead screwed up, he focused on a thorough job of bandaging.
“There.” A smile of triumph as he finished. “All done. Let’s get you out.”
“No, don’t—”
“Just a nurse, remember?” He lifted her from the cooling water and set her on her feet. With infinite care, he picked up the towel and wrapped it around her with the caution of one who handled a baby.
His simple presence was overpowering, as much due to his compassion as his sheer male magnetism. She longed to tell him to hurry. She itched to undulate against him. Beg for a touch she’d never experienced except for those brief, explosive moments when he’d held her.
He stilled, the heat of his body surrounding her. His face was only inches from hers, his mouth a heartbeat away.
&n
bsp; Raina couldn’t move.
He leaned forward, nearly closed the gap. His breath washed her face. “Just a taste, Raina.” He lowered his head. “Only one.” He touched his mouth to hers with a still, hushed reverence.
When she whimpered, he shushed her softly. “I won’t hurt you, baby. I promise I won’t.” He pressed a soft kiss to one corner of her mouth, then the other.
Raina shuttered her eyes. When he paused, she caught her bottom lip in her teeth and sighed. Her tongue wet her mouth.
“Sweet mother—” His voice went low with an edge of naked hunger.
“Please,” she murmured. “Show me. No one—”
Suddenly, the heat of him vanished.
Her eyes popped open.
“I can’t—” He dodged her gaze.
Shame chilled the terrible longing. Could he sense who she really was, what she’d done? She tightened her grasp on the towel. “Please go now.”
“Listen, I don’t want—” He muttered his frustration.
“It doesn’t matter.” She gave him her back.
He spun her around. “I’m attempting to do the right thing. Don’t you get that?”
“Don’t lie to me. Of course a man like you wouldn’t be interested. You don’t have to spell it out.”
“I’m not interested?” He shook his head. “I’m driving myself nuts trying to keep my hands off you, and you think—” He raked his fingers through his hair.
“Why?” she asked.
“What?”
“Why would you want me?”
“Beats the hell out of me.” He laughed.
His laughter was more than she could bear. “Please leave while I dress.” Her voice shook. She gripped the towel and struggled for composure. “I know it’s cold outside. I’ll hurry and then you can—”
He didn’t let her finish. “Wait a minute. You don’t believe me?” His mouth descended to hers, his kiss hot and hungry, but gentling even as the tension in him conveyed itself to her. The sweetness of it brought tears to her eyes.
Head down, Raina shoved at his chest. “Don’t.”
Long fingers slid into her hair. “You said show me. Tell me why.”
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