Eligible Ex-husband - Marie Johnston Page 0,43

happen to stop us, so I’ll seize each second.

She stops at the edge of the bed and trails her fingers over the rumpled bedding.

I go for a little levity, only because I sense that if I come on too strong, she’s going to add to that wall she’s built between me and her. “Still don’t make the bed in the mornings, I see?”

She looks at me over her shoulder with a faint smile. “It’ll just get messy again.”

Her standard response emboldens me. Everything has changed between us, but at the same time, nothing has. We’re just two kids who met in college and decided to do this thing called life together. Our path took a detour, but we can get back on it.

I position myself behind her and brush my hands over her shoulders, down her arms, until I can thread my fingers with hers. Burying my nose in her hair, I inhale the familiar scent. I never paid attention to what shampoo she bought, the same stuff I used to use. I’m dependent on whatever Charlie orders for delivery and that explains why I start the day with an emptiness. I have nothing of her in my condo, not even her lingering scent. Only memories.

“Simon…” There’s a hitch in her voice. She’s retreating into her head.

“Natalie. Stay with me. Stay right here with me, in this moment. I don’t have a right to ask, but I’m begging you now.”

“You’re not down on your knees.” She ends her joke with a strangled gasp. I know her well enough to guess that she didn’t catch the innuendo before she said it.

A sly smile lifts my lips and I ease to my knees.

She stiffens and sidles to the side, releasing my hands. “Oh. No, um… I haven’t cleaned up since… I mean.”

I don’t fucking care, but it bothers her and I’ll take care of it. Rising, I grab a hand and draw her along with me to the bathroom. “If you insist on being clean, then allow me to help.”

I flip on the bathroom light because I don’t want to miss an inch of her creamy, freckled skin.

“Do we need the light?” She avoids looking at herself in the mirror while I flip the shower on. Six heads send water cascading in all directions.

“Strip down, Natalie.” I never give her a direct order and she blinks at me. But I don’t miss the desire clouding her bright eyes.

She rolls her shirt up and over her head, dropping it on the floor. Next is her shorts. She hesitates at her bra, but I arch a brow. Her scowl is only partly playful as she unhooks it.

Yes.

I’ve missed those breasts. Unlike that time I walked in on her, I’m going to get to touch them. She wiggles out of her underwear, those delicious mounds swaying.

Finally, she’s naked and I’m allowed to look my fill.

Her gaze lifts behind me to the shower. “I’ll do my business in the shower while you undress.”

Heat rolls out of the shower enclosure. It’s ready for her. I don’t care to push her too far past her comfort zone. And as much as I like shower sex, I want to be with Natalie in a bed. My bed.

I step aside. She has to pass me to get into the shower. I stop her before she enters by grazing her chin with the backs of my fingers. “I’ll have a towel waiting for you.” Don’t take too long.

She nods, a soft smile gracing her pink lips. While she cleans up, I get our towels ready and undress. I pick up our dirty clothes so there’s one less thing to distract her.

“Can I come in?” I call quietly.

She appears at the edge of the ceramic tile wall that blocks the shower from the rest of the bathroom. “Yes, I’m done.”

My body gets the fastest wash of its life while she towels off. She’s finished when I step out. The fluffy blue topaz towel’s wrapped around her and she’s bent over a drawer, selecting a comb.

“Here. Let me.” I dry off in record time but don’t bother slinging the towel around my waist. My erection would prevent it from staying.

I take the comb from her hand and stand behind her so we’re both looking into the mirror. Her uncertainty is scrawled across her face. Instead of letting it deter me, I use it to strengthen my resolve. This is going to be a journey for both of us.

Gently, I comb through her damp