Page 41 of The Linebacker

Where she found Amil, in the bathtub.

His head rested against a rolled up towel, his mess of dark curls damp and unruly. His eyes were closed. His arms were draped over the sides of the tub, all those delicious muscles on display for her viewing pleasure.

There was just enough ambient light coming through the window for her to see that Amil did not take bubble baths. The water was clear.

Very clear.

She sucked in a breath, her inner muscles clenching desperately.

Meow.

She glanced down at the rug, where both cats were curled up together, Lazlo blinking dazedly at her, while Patches continued to sleep away, oblivious.

When she lifted her gaze again, Amil’s eyes were open, feasting on her like a starved man desperate for a meal after far, far too long.

Oh shit. She was naked.

She did not attempt to cover up, although she could feel her cheeks heating to inferno levels. “Um, I thought you were sleeping.”

“I was.”

“I meant out there.” She thrust her thumb over her shoulder.

He glanced down at the water. So did she.

His erection was stiff and proud, bouncing against his abs.

She swallowed thickly.

“When I got home and you weren’t here yet, I figured I’d take advantage of the time and have a soak. My muscles needed it after that pile up in the first quarter.” His voice was gravelly. “I didn’t mean to doze off.”

He continued to eat her up with his eyes. She’d never felt so exposed—and so turned on—in her life.

Not even the first time they’d been together.

“Were you planning to bathe?” he asked after a long pause.

“I-I was. Clubbing. Emma and me. Danced. Got sweaty.” She’d apparently lost the ability to speak in full sentences.

“Did you have fun?”

“We did.”

“I’m glad. Do you want to join me?”

Her entire body flinched. Not because she didn’t want to join him but because…she did.

“There’s plenty of room.”

It was a huge tub. But Amil was huge too. The only available space was on his lap.

Her inner muscles clenched again.

“Or I can get out,” he said, taking her silence as a no. He grasped the sides of the tub, his muscles flexing.

“No,” she said, lifting her hand, palm facing out. “Stay where you are.”

His gaze never leaving her, he relaxed back into the water.