That’s what she thought. With both of them in there and no handheld sprayer, the logistics of trying to get both of them clean kept him from enjoying Paige’s slick, sudsy body to the full extent and he was relieved when they were done. Of course, they had to get out of the shower one at a time, because the bathroom wasn’t big enough for both of them to dry off at the same time. Being a gentleman—and so that he had a reason to stand there and watch—he let her go first.
When he was finished drying off, he found her in her bedroom, slipping an oversize T-shirt over her head. “Hey. I’m not done with you yet.”
He whacked his arm against her dresser getting across the room and almost fell on the floor when he misjudged how much room he had on the bed. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Paige, but your home makes me feel like Gulliver.”
“Should I tie you down and have my way with you?”
“You can have your way with me any way you want.”
And she did, touching him and teasing him until he thought he’d explode and, only then, she slid down over him and it was so intense he wasn’t sure he’d ever catch his breath.
After a few minutes, she stretched out in the tiny space between him and the wall, so he got up and went into the bathroom. When he came back out, he thought about putting his clothes on and kissing her goodbye, but she hadn’t moved into his space and the bed, despite its size, was comfortable, and Paige had that rumpled, sleepy look he couldn’t resist. A few more minutes wouldn’t hurt.
He slid back into her bed, lining himself up along the edge and keeping his head close to the headboard so his feet didn’t hang over, and she nestled against him. Telling himself he’d leave before he started nodding off, he turned and kissed the top of her head.
A little while later, when his phone started playing the theme song of an old frat-party movie from somewhere in Paige’s living room, he realized with a start he’d actually fallen asleep. That he didn’t do. Ever.
“Should you get that?” Paige murmured against his shoulder. It sounded as if she’d fallen asleep, too.
“That tone means it’s Drew. I’ll call him back on my way home.” That was a natural segue to getting up and putting his clothes on, but he let himself have one more minute.
“How’s he doing? I heard he’s been sleeping at the police station.”
“He was, but they finally talked a little bit and he’s hoping they can still save their marriage, so he’s sleeping at home again. Not together, but under the same roof, at least.”
“I feel so bad for them,” she said. “And it’s hard to choose a side, not only because I like them both, but because their issue isn’t cut-and-dried when it comes to fault.”
“She’s been lying to him for their entire marriage.”
“True. But she’s entitled to be hurt that children that don’t exist are more important to him than she is.”
“It’s not about the kids they didn’t have. It’s about her lying.” He really didn’t want to end this night fighting about somebody else’s relationship. “Look, Drew’s been my best friend my whole life. I always liked Mallory, but I’m not in a position to choose sides. I’ve got Drew’s back. Always.”
“Even if he’s in the wrong?”
“I don’t think he’s wrong but, yes, even if he was. He’d be like a brother to me if I didn’t already have too many pain-in-the-ass brothers.” He raised his eyebrow. “Can you honestly say you’re not just taking her side because you’re both women?”
She pushed up onto her elbow so she could glare at him. “So we’re all just man haters? Or are we sheep who can’t think for ourselves? If you’re going to insult my integrity, be specific.”
This conversation was going south on him in a hurry and he wasn’t even sure how it had happened. He’d try a kiss to distract her but, with that look in her eye, he was afraid she’d bite him. And not in a playful way.
Thankfully, her expression cleared and she flopped back with a sigh. “I don’t even know why I’m arguing with you, since I don’t disagree with you. I like both of them and there’s really no right or wrong answer.”
“I swear, they’re the poster couple for what happens when two people who want different things in life end up together. It’s not pretty.”
“No, it’s not.”
They were quiet for a few minutes and Mitch felt her body start to relax against his. She was going back to sleep and there was no way in hell he could let himself do the same. If his phone hadn’t gone off, he might have slept the entire night, and waking up next to a woman was a big mistake.
He kissed the top of her head again before sliding out of bed. “I should get going so you can get some sleep.”
“Four-thirty sucks,” she muttered.
By the time he’d found all his clothes and put them on, she was softly snoring, so he turned off the lights as he left and locked the door behind him. Thankful the threat of rain showers had made him bring the truck tonight, he got in and pulled out his phone to listen to the voice mail from Drew. As it went through the “you have one new message “ routine, he braced himself for bad news.