The Wedding Bait by Adele Buck

Author:Adele Buck
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quiet Confidence Press

Chapter Nine

Patrick let out a long breath and wondered if he was blowing this job. He didn’t want Tove to be nervous around him. Maybe he’d lost his touch in retirement. The sound of water running in the bathroom told him that she’d probably be in there for at least a few more minutes as she washed her face and brushed her teeth, so he took the opportunity to shuck out of his suit trousers and pull on some cotton lounge pants. He was utterly comfortable with his body, but he had the feeling Tove wouldn’t appreciate his usual nudity while sleeping. He stretched out on the bed and picked up his book while he waited for his turn in the bathroom, glancing up when the door opened and Tove re-emerged, wearing sky-blue silk pajamas that made her eyes seem even more intense. Her face washed clean of makeup, she looked softer, more vulnerable.

She gave him a weary smile and crawled into bed, curling towards the wall. He thought about what he might be able to do for her while he brushed his teeth and washed his face. The whole situation was packed with stress—even a wedding where everyone got along and there was no terrible ex-husband in the mix was an anxiety-inducing event.

When he emerged from the bathroom, he found the room nearly dark, the only illumination being the bedside lamp on “his” side. He thought maybe she was already asleep, but when he slid between the sheets, she rolled over and faced him, her hands under her cheek.

“You okay over there?” he asked, plumping up the pillow under his head and settling in on his side, facing her.

Her gaze flicked to meet his, then away. “I suppose so. I’m just very, very tired all of a sudden.”

“Well, it’s been a big day for you. And I have an idea.”

Her eyes met his again. “An idea?”

“Yes. You know, there’s a lot of runway between no sex and sex.”

A crease appeared between her eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“I mean there’s cuddling. And you look like you need a cuddle.” And those silk pajamas look incredibly touchable, he didn’t add. His selfish feelings didn’t need to enter into it.

She appeared to consider this. “Is that something you want to do?”

“Sure. I suggested it, after all. Touch can be a powerful stress reliever for some people. It doesn’t have to be about sex.”

“I…I think I’d like that. I don’t remember the last time anyone held me.”

God, that was the saddest thing he’d heard in a long time. “Well, then.” He reached over and pulled her toward him, stroking her back as their bodies came together. She was stiff at first, then gave a little sigh and he felt her soften as he continued to move his hand up and down her back in long sweeps. The pajamas did feel exquisite.

The woman in them felt even better.

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