Page 132 of Shelter
Now it was my turn to scoff. “You don’t need one of those.” Elise’s laughter echoed off the bath tile.
“You’re funny.” She stepped away from the stream and wrung water from her hair. “I’m going to get out and dry off.”
I ducked under the shower head and rinsed. “Right behind you.”
A minute later when I shut off the water and pushed aside the shower curtain, I found Elise standing at the vanity. She was wrapped in one of my white towels, braiding her dark hair over her shoulder. The towel dipped low, revealing her ivory back and the sensual curve of her spine. The mirror reflected her serene face, eyes cast down to the work of her fingers.
One look redefined beauty.
I didn’t want to move. I didn’t dare breathe. I just stood there, letting the image brand my mind so I’d always have it.
“Staring is rude,” Elise said, her eyes never lifting from the braid, but I could see the upturned corners of her mouth.
I reached for my towel. “What about admiring?”
A flush of pink met her cheeks, but her smile grew. She turned to look over her shoulder at me, her color deepening.
“I have a hair tie in my purse in the living room. Would you mind getting it for me?” She ducked her chin shyly. “I don’t want to run into Ava.”
I wrapped the towel around my waist. “Of course, but Ava’s probably sound asleep.” I crossed the bathroom and touched the pile of clothes on the counter. “These are for you.”
“Thanks.”
I leaned in and kissed her on the nose before padding out of the bathroom. The living room was dark, but the light over the oven was enough for me to find her purse. When I picked it up, I glanced down the hall and frowned. Ava’s bedroom light was on.
I crept down the hall and put my ear to the door but heard nothing. Back in New Orleans, my first instinct would have been to try the knob. I was tempted to do that now, but I wouldn’t. Ava could be reading, or maybe she fell asleep with the light on. Or she’d awoken early — it was after four now — and she was sitting in meditation. I had to respect her privacy and give her the benefit of the doubt. No matter what, I reminded myself, Ava’s life was in her control, not mine.
When I returned to the bedroom, I found Elise sitting up in bed, my Green Wave sweatshirt swallowing her and the covers drawn up to her waist. If the sight of her wrapped in a towel and braiding her hair had been the definition of beauty, this was the epitome of cuteness.
“You’re adorable.”
She gave me a sheepish grin, accepting her purse from me. “I’m cold again.”
I burst out laughing. “That’s something I can fix.”
I dressed quickly, climbed into bed, switched off the lamp, and took Elise in my arms. She settled against me with a sigh. I knew I’d probably wake up aching for her again, but her relaxed body in my embrace and the pleasure we’d taken in the wee hours left me heavy-limbed and content. And sleep took us both.
* * *
“We should havebreakfast at the cafe.”
I’d woken up after nine — hours late for me — but so worth it to open my eyes on a sun-drenched room with Elise curled against me.
She now stood on the other side of the bed, dressing in last night’s clothes. Well, last night’s clothes minus her undies. I’d have to fish those from the bottom of the pool sometime today. Along with my shirt. The thought had me grinning.
Elise poked her head out of the neck of her coral T-shirt, her eyes wide. “Mama’s cafe?”
I shrugged. “Yeah, she’d love it.”
She spluttered a nervous laugh. “Oh, hell no.”
“Why not?”
She batted her eyelashes, her face turning a rather pretty shade of scarlet. “Because she’dknow.”
“What?” A crack of laughter left me.
“She’d take one look at me, and she’d know.”
