"You can eat as soon as you take this next-to-last dose of antibiotics," he said.

"You were the annoying voice, weren't you?" she accused, narrowing her eyes.

His smile turned into a grin. "Guilty."

"How long have you been here?"

He shook a small, plastic bottle at her. "Take your meds like a good girl and I'll tell you."

"I've got your good girl," she muttered, but she dutifully opened her mouth. Quickly swallowing the vile stuff, she took the gla.s.s of water Austin handed her next and practically gulped it down.

"You're adorable when you're grumpy." Taking the empty gla.s.s from her, he placed it on the nightstand and sat back in a chair that he had dragged to her bedside.

"I'm not adorable."

"But you are grumpy." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I've been here for two days."

"Two days?" Her mouth dropped open. "You've been here with me all that time?"

He shrugged. "It's no big deal. You'd already gone to the doctor and had your prescription filled, so by the time I figured out you'd lied to me and was able to get a ride over here, you were pa.s.sed out in bed.

"Left your keys in the door, by the way," he added. "That's not very safe."

Belatedly, she realized that not only did she have pajamas on, which consisted of a tank top and a flannel pair of boxer shorts, but that her breath also had to reek as well.

Smacking her hand over her mouth, she said, "Get out."

"After nursing you for days on end, you're kicking me out?"

The fact that he'd actually taken care of her when he could have been elsewhere made her uncomfortable... and it also made her soften even more toward him.

"No," she said, letting her hand fall away as she gentled her tone. "I need to brush my teeth and shower."

He made a face. "You do smell ripe."

She rolled her eyes.

"Even your freckles are dirty."

"Seriously?" She pushed the covers back and attempted to get out of bed, but quickly discovered she was as weak as a newborn kitten.

Austin jumped up, helping her stand. "I got you."

"You can't wash me."

"If you let me, I can," he said, his blue eyes darkening.

How on earth could he be attracted her to right now? "I like to shower alone."

"After you shower with me, you won't." Despite his c.o.c.ky words, he helped her to the bathroom. Once he was satisfied that she wouldn't topple over, he left her alone and she finally able to brush her teeth as well as take care of all her other pressing needs as well.

Funny how all she wanted was for him to be in there with her.

"Need a hand?" he shouted from the bedroom. "I have two really good ones, or so they say on ESPN."

A giggle escaped her. "They just like making your ego puff up."

"Good thing I have you in my life then."

Biting her lip, she turned on the water and waited for it to heat up. Once steam began to rise, she stepped inside and began to wash. Slowly. The hot water felt so good that she moaned.

"Stop enjoying your shower without me," Austin said, his voice sounding much closer.

Jerking the shower curtain back, she checked the bathroom. It was empty, but the door was cracked open. A flash of movement let her know he was there.

"Stop spying on me."

"I'm only keeping close in case you fall," he said.

"I won't fall."

"You could pretend to."

"I could, but I won't." But she wanted to. Oh my, she wanted to pretend. She wanted him to come in and strip off his clothes. Watching him would be pure torture until he put his big, capable hands on her body, soaped her up, and- A gasp left her.

"d.a.m.n it, Harper. Stop teasing me."

"I'm not teasing you." Except she wanted to. She wanted him. He'd taken care of her for four days, even after she'd sent him away. Even after she lied to him about her mother taking care of her. Austin had still come back.

Maybe he wanted her after all. Maybe their differences didn't matter. Maybe she was being too uptight about the five years between them and how his life in Charlotte was nothing like hers in Jessamine.

If he didn't care that she was only a second grade teacher while he was a famous quarterback, then why should she? Why should she care about what anyone else thought?

New year, new you.

Purposefully, she grabbed a bar of soap and let it slide from her fingers. It fell to the bottom of the tub with a loud thunk.

Austin shoved through the door, panic on his face. "Are you okay?"

Their eyes met. She pushed the curtain open wider, so he could see all of her as she stood waiting for him.

Licking her lips, she waited for him to say something, but when it became clear he was waiting on her, the only thing she could think to say was, "I fell down."

Chapter Nine.

"And," he prompted, his hands going to the back of his shirt. Slowly, too slowly, he slipped it over his head, revealing hard muscles and colorful tattoos on his arms.

Her mind went completely blank. "And... um..."

He took a step closer to the shower, his fingers on the b.u.t.ton fly of his jeans. "Do you need me to help you?"

She nodded. "Yes. I need help. Your help."

Breath catching in her throat, she watched as he pushed down his jeans. He wasn't wearing any sock or shoes, so all that left him in was- "You're not wearing anything," she squeaked, staring at his erection. She forced her gaze back to his face. His beard was a bit longer now, and she was surprised to find that she actually liked it.

"Neither are you. Figured I would dress to match." He gave her a lopsided smile and crossed the small distance separating them. "Still need my help?"

In answer, she stepped back and motioned for him to join her. Goose b.u.mps broke out over her skin as a rush of cold air hit her. Her nipples hardened to tight points.

"d.a.m.n, you're s.e.xy."

"So are you," she said shyly, unsure of where to put her hands.

His big hands went to her shoulders, then began to them rub up and down her arms as he crowded her into a corner where the hot water could spray them both. "Poor thing. I got you cold. I am so very sorry."

"You are not."

"Okay, so maybe I'm not." He gave her a wicked grin. "Okay, so I'm really not sorry. Those tight nipples of yours have me thinking all sorts of naughty things."

He was so tall, his shoulders so wide, that he practically took up the entire s.p.a.ce. Although she knew he wouldn't do anything without her permission, her hands came between them, keeping their bodies from fully touching.

Dark blue eyes met hers. "If you're not comfortable with this, I'll get out."

"I'm not uncomfortable."

Austin frowned.

She sighed and not in a dreamy way either. This wasn't going the way she envisioned, but then again, she'd imagined him as the one giving orders. Instead, he was being a pure gentleman... well, as much as a gentleman as he could be, naked and hard like he was.

"Maybe you could tell me where to put my hands?"

His frown gave way to a serious look. "Anywhere you want."

She ran her fingers down his abs, grasping the hard, thick length of him in her hands. "What about here?"

His eyes closed, his jaw clenching. "Yes," he hissed.

Stroking him, she worried her bottom lip. "Am I doing this right for you?"

A harsh smile peeled back his lips. "If you did this any more right for me, I'd-" His hand shot out, hitting the tiled wall behind her, and his head bowed. "You're perfect. So d.a.m.n perfect."

Grabbing a bottle of conditioner, she poured a straight line down his c.o.c.k and he jumped. "Too cold?" she asked, lifting her face and pressing her lips against his mouth.

"You got me hot as h.e.l.l." He slid his hand around the back of her head, deepening their kiss while hot water ran over her. She stroked him faster. Harder.

She couldn't stop touching him, his pleasure only turning her on even more. Never in her life had she thought that doing this could be so mutually satisfying.

"Harper," he breathed. "I can't... I won't-" His hips jerked forward as his o.r.g.a.s.m left him in hot spurts that coated her hands and splashed on her thighs.

With a growl, he spun her around, pushing her against the cold tiles while his hand went between her legs. He cupped her, bit the side of her neck, and rubbed his semi-hard erection against her bottom.

His finger delved under the straight line of curls, unerringly finding her c.l.i.t with ease. He began to rub her there, stroked... drove her to the brink of coming, only to stop and gently force her mouth to his.

He kissed her as if he were trying to possess her, trying to change her mind about an opinion she didn't even know she had. Two fingers pushed inside of her and she went on her tiptoes, her head falling back against his chest.

With his free hand, he squeezed one b.r.e.a.s.t.s, took her hard nipple between his fingers, and rolled it.

Her vision sparked and her knees shook.

"Don't fall on me now," he said, licking her neck.

Letting go of her breast, he slid his hand down her belly, down to where she was throbbing for him. His fingers began to move in tandem, the two inside of her working their magic while he stroked and petted her c.l.i.t until she gasped his name.

Austin did something with his fingers, something that touched a spot deep inside of her, and made her scream. He covered her mouth with his, drinking in her kisses as he continued to move.

While she came down from her o.r.g.a.s.m, he turned her around and lifted her up, wrapping her legs around his waist. His erection hit her, the head right at her s.e.x. If she could wriggle down a bit, then he could go deeper, but his grip tightened.

"No."

"I'm on the pill," she said with a gasp and a moan.

"Not tonight, baby. You're still recovering."

Of course, her traitorous stomach growled like it hadn't been fed in days, which was the truth. "Tomorrow?" she asked.

Austin hesitated, gently setting her on her feet. "Let's see how you're feeling first." He grabbed the bottle of shampoo. "Turn around so I can wash your hair."

Automatically, she turned, and then wanted to stomp her foot. Why should she listen to him? It wasn't up to Austin to dictate when and where they had- The tips of his fingers began to ma.s.sage her scalp, and she let out a loud moan.

"Like that, huh?"

"I never want my hair washed any other way."

"Told you my hands were talented."

Eyes closing, she said, "I will never speak ill of ESPN again."

"Maybe you can put in a good word for me?"

"No way am I telling anyone about this. Can you imagine all the woman who'd want you in their shower?" She opened one eye to peer up at him.