Hot Pursuit by Cassie Connor

Author:Cassie Connor [Connor, Cassie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008662882
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Chapter Sixteen

LYDIA

My head is killing me and my leg is flashing bolts of pain. I grit my poor abused teeth, but I can’t move or ease the pain.

Tom disappears from the kitchen and comes back a couple of seconds later. ‘Excellent news. It’s a combi boiler.’

‘And?’ I croak, forcing the word out of my throat.

‘Instant hot water and I’ve turned the heating on.’

My head weighs a ton as I lift it to stare blearily at him. I’m running on empty.

He disappears again. Honestly, he’s like a Duracell bunny on heat all of a sudden. All I want to do is sleep, even though I’m soaked through. There’s a possibility I might bite my own tongue, my teeth are chattering so hard.

Tom reappears. He’s only wearing jersey boxer shorts, which are so damp they cling to his junk. Even in my drowned-rat, rain-sodden state, I can’t help but notice the smooth chest and vee of dark hair or the quick flashback of hot skin against mine. I avert my gaze as he picks up one of the kitchen chairs and disappears again. There’s obviously a plan afoot – everything about him is purposeful and decisive. Even in my feeble state it’s very attractive.

Then he’s back again and it’s my turn to be managed as part of his ongoing mission, whatever it is.

My body is about as compliant as a ragdoll, but he manages to get my coat off and then helps me to my feet.

‘Sorry, it’s upstairs. But I’ll help you.’

With careful patience he helps me up to a very stylish bathroom. Pathetic as I am, even I can’t fail to notice the huge walk-in shower with multiple levers and shower heads, the expensive-looking white tiles, the industrial-style shelving filled with plush towels, and the double-ended modern bath.

The chair has been plonked in the middle of the room and immediately reminds me of one of those torture scenes in a movie.

‘You’re not going to tie me up, are you?’ I ask, a rubbish attempt at a joke.

‘Not today,’ says Tom with a sudden devilish grin. ‘But I am going to take your clothes off.’

Okay, it seems my hormones are in a better state than my battered body because they do sit up and take notice.

Before I sit down, he undoes my trousers before pushing me into the chair. He kneels in front of me and slowly peels them down my thighs.

‘Oh, Lydia,’ he says and his fingers skim the mottled purple bruise running down the top of my left leg. He looks up into my face, sympathy and worry glowing in his eyes. I swallow and give him a tight smile. Thankfully he goes back to the task and manoeuvres the fabric past my knees and down my shins. The concentration on his face and the obvious care he’s taking turn me inside out.

‘Lydia. Lydia.’ His distress is palpable as more bruises are unveiled and I have the urge to comfort him. I put a hand on his shoulder and give it a reassuring squeeze.

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