Loving the Wild Card (Kingdom Book 5)

Jesus, the fever hadn’t managed to take him out, but her reading of the damn Internet might. Somehow he was going to have to think of a way to get her to give him some real food.

Knowing his acting skills were crap, Josh maintained a show of weakness as he attempted to sit up. Lux was immediately by his side, her arms supporting him. His pillows fluffed and he was propped up to her liking; Josh realized she was holding her breath as she took a massive step backward. Not understanding what was going on, he turned his head and was hit full force by the smell of his armpits.

“Pretty bad, huh?”

“It’s understandable, you’ve been ill.”

“I need to take a shower.”

“How about a bed bath?”

Josh considered the merits of her suggestion and dismissed them. She probably already had a technique to cleanse his body without looking at him courtesy of all her damn Internet reading.

“No, but thank you. I need to wash my hair as well as get rid of this stench.” His line delivered, he waited to see what she would do next. She looked worried, and so she should.

“Okay, you sound a lot more lucid. But if you’re not strong enough, you’re just going to have to settle for a bed bath and you can wash your hair later. Just take your time. I’ll help you to the bathroom.”

Josh nodded his agreement as she approached him. Pulling back the covers, her gaze landed on his cock that rewarded her with a twitch. When she hurriedly averted her eyes, he only just managed to withhold his laughter. Things were just heating up and if he weren't careful he would blow his cover before he’d even begun.

“Call me when you’re finished,” Lux said as she closed the door once he was standing beside the shower cubicle.

Accepting her withdrawal, he used the bathroom and brushed his teeth. Josh then looked around to see what he could use to capture her attention. If she played true to form, her ear should be plastered to the door, so it wouldn’t take much for her to come running.

Deciding on his shaving kit, he swept it off the counter and onto the marble floor. Just as he thought, the door flung open and she rushed inside.

Remembering his lack of acting skills, he prepared himself for the performance of his life. “I don’t think I can manage the shower on my own, Luxie.”

“I thought as much. Sit down while I turn on the water for you.” Leading him over to the side of the bathtub, Lux helped him to sit before going to the shower and adjusting the dials. When she was satisfied with the temperature, she returned. “I’ll wait right here in case you need me.”

Attempting to rise to his feet, Josh shook his head giving every indication he couldn’t manage on his own. Lux gave him a skeptical look and he wondered if he was overplaying his part. Up to his neck, he knew it was too late to change tactics.

“I’ll be fine, Luxie. I just need a moment to catch my breath.”

Seeming to accept that he was in need of assistance, she curled an arm around his waist and helped him to his feet. Taking advantage of her nearness, Josh placed more of his body weight against her than was necessary. Together they moved towards the now steam encased shower cubical.

Opening the door, Lux aided him until he stepped inside. When she was about to remove her arm, Josh swayed on his feet. Her gasp at his near mishap, and a sharp pull from him, ostensibly to correct his balance and Lux was inside the shower with him, fully clothed.

“Joshua!”

“God, I’m sorry, Luxie,” Josh apologized, hoping his show of contrition carried enough regret.

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it, it’s just a robe.”

“I know, I’ll make it up to you, I promise,” Josh assured her. “You’re going to have to help me get through this shower though.”

As he spoke, Josh ensured he stumbled back so the full impact of the water had nowhere to go except directly down the front of her terry robe. In moments, the material was a sopping heavy mass hanging from her body. Just managing to hold in his triumph at his maneuver, Josh kept his ploy going, by swaying in the hopes of reinforcing his lack of strength.

Without question, he didn’t need anyone to tell him he’d taken things one step too far. For God’s sake, he’d just brushed the back of his hand across his forehead, not unlike those lame ass chick flicks she liked to watch, when a woman was about to faint.

Cracking open his eyes, he looked at her through the steam that surrounded them and nearly bit his tongue.

“Stay right there darling, don’t move a muscle, I’ve got you.”

Josh was elated; sure his acting skills had improved. Untying the band of her robe, Lux peeled back the sodden material with such slowness, his toes curled. He could tell nothing from her expression. But something deep within told him she was on to him. But for the life of him, he couldn’t muster enough remorse to care.

Theresa L. Henry's books