by Kimi Flores
Sometime later, I had no idea if I’d been out for five minutes or five hours when I heard hissing.
“Fritz go back to sleep,” I groaned before a strong perfumey, floral scent mixed with the smoke from a blown-out candle hit me.
It was soothing at first, until I realized I hadn’t lit any candles and my essential oil diffuser was not turned on, plus Fritz was still growling and hissing. Panicked, I bolted up in bed and scanned the room until my eyes landed on a large male figure standing in my bathroom doorway.
Completely disoriented in that space between being sound asleep and somewhat awake, I gasped and scooted toward my headboard. My fuzzy brain registered that not only was there a man just feet away from my bed, but he was half naked and clutching the top of a towel around his hips. His messy hair was sticking in all directions and although I still hadn’t been able to focus on his face, his body language said he was staring at me like I’d lost my goddamn mind.
“What the hell?” Breathless, I grabbed Fritz and held him close, as if he had any chance of protecting me.
‘Grrrr—’ My cat continued to go bat-shit crazy.
The guy stepped closer and his free hand darted out, causing the items that had been tucked under his arm to tumble to the floor. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you,” he answered quickly. “I’m Blaine Zuckerman, the guy renting the room down the hall.” He flicked his head to emphasize where his room was. “We spoke on the phone.”
Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I pressed my hand to my chest and felt my heart thundering. “You scared the shit out of me. What’re you doing in my room—” Blinking quickly, I waved my hand up and down. “—in a towel?”
“I...umm…” He rubbed the back of his neck, again, using his free hand to pick up his items. The towel parted just enough for me to see the lines of his nicely toned thigh. “This bathroom is bigger than the one down the hall.”
Confused, my eyes shot back to his face. “What? The only difference between the two is the bathtub.”
The guilty expression on his face said it all. My eyes zoomed in on the black paper package clasped between his fingers. The sticker attached with handwritten words made my eyes bulge.
“Does that say Sex Bomb?” I got up from my bed on the opposite side of where he stood and placed one hand on my hip while still grasping a hissing, growling cat in the other. “What the hell were you doing in my personal bathtub?”
“Wait, it’s not what you think.” He spit out frantically.
“Really, Mr. Sex Bomb? Then what is it?” I leaned down to shush Fritz. “Shh. Shh. It’s okay.” I kissed the soft fur on top of his head, then narrowed my eyes at Blaine.
“It’s just the name of a bath bomb. You know, those fizzy balls you drop in the bath?” He snickered awkwardly. It was evident he hoped I was buying his story.
Rolling my eyes, I exhaled a relieved breath. “I know what a bath bomb is. I am a woman, if you hadn’t noticed.”
Damn, did I regret saying that as I watched his eyes roam up and down my body, making my cheeks heat and my nipples tighten against my shirt.
With a side smirk, he answered, “Now that you mention it, I can see that.”
Suddenly self-conscious of my braless, raggedy concert shirt and panty attire, I lifted my hand and directed him to the door. “Well, now that you’re done with your bath, can I have my privacy please?”
He seemed to snap out of his daze. “Oh yeah. Of course, sorry.” Fascinated by the view from behind, my eyes roamed his backside as he headed out.
Wow, every other guy I ever knew had a flat ass. If Blaine filled a towel that good, what would he look like in jeans…or in nothing at all?
I snapped my eyes up right before he turned to me.
“I’m really sorry about that.” He pointed to the bathroom. “I thought you were coming home tomorrow. Everything is clean, though. You won’t even know I was in there.” He gave a half smile and a wave before stepping out of the room.
I hurried over, closed the door and headed to the bathroom. Inhaling deeply, I could still smell jasmine and clary sage in the damp air. Sitting on the edge of my tub, I whispered to my now purring cat, “He’s wrong about one thing. I won’t be forgetting he was in here.”
As my heart rate began to calm and the sudden shock wore off, I could feel the pain slowly creeping back. Using my fingertips, I rubbed my shoulder as I rolled my head back and forth.
Fritz jumped from my lap and went straight to the toilet. Teetering on the edge of the seat, he leaned down. A second before his tongue touched the water, I scooped him up and closed the lid.
“And you think you’re going to lick my face with that same tongue later, mister? I don’t think so.”
I could hear Blaine moving around down the hall as I crawled back under the covers.
After a good night’s sleep, I’ll have a little fun dealing with my visitor tomorrow.
Chapter Three
Blaine
“So you burst out of her bathroom, practically naked while she was sleeping?” My younger brother, Peter, teased on the other end of our phone call.
I stood and stretched, walking to the bedroom window and drawing back the curtain. Morning had become my favorite part of the day since coming here. Things just felt new, refreshed.
“Hey, there are worse things in life than being caught in nothing more than a towel by a beautiful woman. And I didn’t burst out. When I saw her lying there, I tried to sneak away.” I bet Andie’s reaction when she first saw me last night wasn’t exactly what those people at the bar had been anticipating.
“Beautiful woman, huh?” he prodded.
I lowered my voice, unsure if Andie could hear me. “I already told you she was pretty when you asked earlier.”
“You and I both know there’s a huge difference between pretty and beautiful.” He was reminding me of the same thing I’d said to him years ago when he’d been thinking about proposing to his long-time girlfriend. I should’ve known those words would come back and bite me in the ass.
“It doesn't matter what she looks like, nothing is going to happen. I have a goal and that's all I’m focusing on for now.” Looking around my temporary room, I reminded myself that this was my chance to make something of my future and I wouldn’t be here if it hadn't been for my brother and his wife’s support. “I’m not planning on getting lost in some unrealistic romance. I need to get back home as soon as I’m done here. You and Melinda are sacrificing enough.”
He let out an irritated sigh. “Blaine, he’s my nephew too and we aren’t sacrificing anything near what you have all these years. Besides, we’re here to stay. Justin is just going to have to get used to a more disciplined life.” Peter and his wife were newly married. How could I ask them to take on the responsibility of a troublesome child this soon?
I cringed just thinking about my nephew pulling some of his shit on them. He could be the biggest pain in the ass on his best day, and I’m sure Melinda was having a field day trying to get him on the right path.
I exhaled. “Good luck with that. I’ve been trying to whip him in shape for years.” Reaching into the clean basket of laundry on top of the dresser, I grabbed a pair of shorts and a shirt, and threw them on.
“Yeah, but you also had Tiffany there to undermine every positive change you attempted to make.”
Damn that hurt, because it was the truth. When my sister had been clean and sober, she was still a challenge to be around, but when she hadn’t been in the right mind frame, she’d wreaked havoc on everyone’s lives. It was no wonder her son was constantly acting out.
The acceptance in Peter’s voice validated that it was time for me to let go of my anxiety over this. It had been their idea to stay at my house to take care of my nephew since that was his home as well.
Music was playing somewhere in the house. Andie was awake.
“Listen, I’ve gotta go make peace with this girl if I’m going to be living in her house for another three weeks.�
�� I slipped on a pair of socks and my tennis shoes.
“Okay, but don’t rule out actually enjoying your stay up there. And for the love of God, please do not worry about us.” He sounded exasperated. “We’ve got everything under control. Take this time to also figure out what you really want out of life. You are free, brother.”
Those four words gripped my chest. I had never felt free until now. I let out a huge exhale. “Thanks, man. That means a lot to me. But don’t start tossing out my crap just yet.” I laughed before we said our goodbyes.
Slipping my cell phone in the back pocket of my shorts, I ran my fingers through my unruly hair to tame my bedhead, grabbed my textbook and jogged down the stairs when the mouthwatering smell of bacon hit me. Before my foot touched that last step, the song changed midway through and the familiar Tom Jones tune “Sex Bomb” began to play. I chuckled and shook my head. Andie must’ve heard me coming down the stairs.
This girl is something else.
As I walked past the only couch in the open living room, I dropped my book on the cushion and made my way to the kitchen island that separated the two rooms. Sliding onto one of the white metal bar stools, I watched Andie’s long sandy blonde hair sway across her back as she scraped a pan full of eggs with a spatula.
“Do you just happen to have that song on a playlist or did you actually scour Spotify to find it in my honor?” Placing my chin on my hand, I gave her a Cheshire cat smile.
She peeked over her shoulder and that one coy look from her lively hazel eyes and long lashes nearly knocked me on my ass. “I figured you’d appreciate a little more Sex Bomb this morning.” She let out a tiny snicker.
I’d seen her in the dimly lit room last night, but holy hell was she stunning in the daylight. Thrown off balance, I swallowed the confidence I’d had only a second ago. “Fine, I give. I’ll accept being the butt of this joke only if I can keep taking baths in that massive tub you have.”
Checkmate, roomie.
She turned her attention to a pan of bacon, giving me a moment to appreciate her from behind. I’d like to say that I stared at her beautiful hair or appreciated the frilly sundress and combat boots she was wearing, but my eyes immediately went to my favorite part of any woman—her hips and ass. And damn were they perfect. My chest and lower extremities pounded with desire as my eyes followed the curves of her waist to where they met her hips and ass. Between her face and that body, I was practically panting. The loud tapping of the tongs against the cast iron skillet reminded me that drooling over her wasn’t going to help me pass this test.
“Is it really the size you enjoy?” she asked, making me wonder if she’d seen me staring at her rear. “Or the jets? Of course, there’s always the bath bomb that could be your favorite part.”
Oh, she’s still on the bathtub, thank God.
“The bath bomb was a gift. I figured I’d see what all the fuss was about and use it last night. I didn’t even turn on the jets. I’ve just never been in a tub large enough to accommodate my long legs.” I’m not a giant, but most bathtub designers do not have 6’1” men in mind when they draft their dimensions. “Oh and by the way, I don’t want you to think I was snooping in your room. The bedroom and bathroom doors were open when Shelby gave me the tour. But if you would like to give those jets a whirl, let me know.” I made sure the smile on my face was anything but suggestive. She seemed to be able to hold her own and I was enjoying that.
After switching off the burners, she turned around to face me. “That’s the only thing I splurged on when I bought this place. I usually take a bath before bed each night, but we can work something out, individually.” She tried to hide the laugh that followed, but I heard it and it made me feel even more lighthearted.
This trip might end up being a lot more fun than I’d originally thought.
Reaching into a box next to the sink, she began to remove what looked like specialty baking items. “So, Shelby tells me you’re in the medical field and studying for a test?”
“Yeah, I currently work as a nurse practitioner, but I went to medical school to become a doctor and have already done my residency. I’m studying for the Medical Licensing Exam.” I always felt like such a failure when I talked about this. At thirty-two, my age gave way to the fact that I hadn’t just graduated.
Her intrigued expression was one I had become used to whenever I told anyone my story. I could practically hear the questions running through her head.
Immediately frustrated, I answered. “Before you ask what’s taken me so long, I already took it once and didn’t pass one of the sections. Let’s just say life got in the way, but now I’m free to focus on that part and I plan on passing it next month.”
With raised eyebrows, she responded, “That’s not what I was wondering.” She shrugged like my excuse was of little importance.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Oh yeah, then what was that curious look for?”
A devious smile spread across her lips. “I was just thinking that soon you could buy your own jet tub. I was also trying to estimate how many women in your town fake illnesses to get in your exam room.”
Throwing my head back, I let the first natural laugh I’d had in months fill the room. I loved her nonchalant attitude. “You'd be surprised how many don’t want to see me because I’m only a nurse practitioner, but I do love the idea of my own enormous tub.”
Tilting her head to the side, she drew her eyebrows together, “There’s nothing wrong with being a nurse practitioner, but I have a feeling that’s not the issue.”
I rubbed my forehead with my fingertips, remembering the day I’d walked in the exam room to find the surprised look on Peter’s ex-girlfriend, who’d been there for her annual pap smear. I’d never seen a woman push me out the door so quickly and hightail it as far away from me as possible.
“I’m sure it doesn’t help that I was a punk kid who grew up in that same town.” I smirked and shook my head. “It’s hard for people to take me seriously.”
She tossed her head back and laughed. “Yeah, I’m sure it has nothing to do with your good looks. Let me explain things to you.” She leaned toward me, over the counter. “Once you’ve stripped down in front of someone, you know, for professional reasons, you question whether they remember what you looked like when you see them in social settings. Talk about feeling vulnerable.” She sounded like she was speaking from experience. “Anyway, how long will you be in Hope Falls?”
I understood what she was talking about, but something else stood out even more. Good looks. huh?
Setting that aside, I answered her question, “I’m registered to take the Medical Licensing Exam near Berkeley next month.”
“Are you going for a specialty?” She raised onto her toes as she placed bags of almond flour, xanthan gum and arrowroot powder in the cupboard. I fought the urge to stare at the bottom hem of her dress as it lifted when she stretched.
Clearing my throat, I turned my eyes to the stove. “I really enjoy family practice since I get to be involved with each family member and all their health needs. If mom has bronchitis, chances are, the little guy she brought with her will catch it soon enough, so I can help her plan ahead for the things he’ll need.”
“That’s awesome. I never thought about it like that.” Her voice sounded a bit strained and I had to take another look. Stretching even more, she pushed a few items toward the back of the cupboard. I should’ve been a gentleman and offered to help but I was enjoying the view too much.
Thankfully, I found another safe topic. “Do you bake?”
“A little,” she answered casually as she finished putting everything away. “My cousin owns a bakery in Sausalito, so whenever I see her we go to the bakers’ supply warehouse where I can buy this stuff in bulk.”
“Gluten free?” I gave her the face I used when I thought I was biting into a chocolate chip cookie only to discover it is oatmeal raisin. Such disappointment.
Exhaling, she closed the cupboard doors. “Yup.
I stay away from it as much as possible.” She didn’t elaborate as she went back to the stove.
My brain immediately searched its medical files whenever I heard someone talk about dietary restrictions. And even though I knew it was none of my business, I asked the question anyway. “Celiac disease?”
“Nope. I just feel better when I cut out the gluten.” The guarded way she said that gave me the impression there was more to the story, but I didn’t know her well enough to push for more answers.
I shrugged, playing it off. “I also own a bakery and we’ve had a lot of people asking for gluten free options, so I get it.” I didn’t get it, though. Why would someone limit their food choices if it wasn’t medically necessary? Sure, some of those food trends were healthier when followed with a balanced diet, but too many people took it to the extreme just because it was a trend.
She turned and blinked at me. “You own a bakery?”
“Don’t look so surprised.” I chuckled. “For the most part, I’m just the money guy. I was suckered into investing, but we have a great staff who run everything.” I pointed toward the stove. “I assume you aren’t vegetarian or vegan.”
“Oh, God no. I love meat.” Suddenly a pink blush started making its way up her neck and landing on those perfect cheeks. The fun I could have with this slip, but she was so easy to talk to, why embarrass her more?
I grinned at her. “Well, I don’t mind sharing the bacon and eggs with you, but I’ll skip out on any gluten free baked goods.”
“You mean you don’t want to join my cult?” She faked indignation.
Settling my elbows on top of the island, I cocked an eyebrow. “And what do you do in this cult?”
The swishing sound of her rubbing her hands together, the way a villain would, filled the room. “We share mind-numbing techniques on how to convince outsiders that our baked goods taste as delicious as the traditional ones. I, of course, am the leader. I could get you in, no problem.”