"Just for the record," I said tightly, "a hell of a lot longer than you plan on hanging around."
I thought me tart reply would make me angry. if it did, he didn't show it. He stood over me, looking down at me thoughtfully
"Poor Olivia, he murmured. He gently brushed a strand of my wet hair off my brow with his fingertips. "You don't like to let anyone do anything for you, do you?"
"Stop teasing me, Brian," You don't have to jolly me up." I try tried to act as if I was unaffected by his touch, but inside, my heart pounded wildly. I felt a hot blush rise to my cheeks and hoped he didn't notice.
"I'm not teasing you," he protested quietly, still stroking my hair. Just making an observation. I think you don't have much experience with allowing someone else to take care of you. That's probably more to the point."
"Perhaps," I murmured.
"Don't worry, I'll remain blindfolded, like the audience volunteer in a magic act, if you wish. He lightly grazed my cheek with the back of his fingertips, as if testing the softness of my skin. "You're modesty, fair damsel, will be totally preserved. On my honor." I met his dark, sincere gaze and suddenly wasn't worried about my modesty at all. It was my willpower that really concerned my run up and start the bath. "We'll work it out," he promised.
"All right, I replied.
Once he'd left the room, I decided that I'd acted very silly. Very naive and gauche, I like a real country bumpkin. He was probably laughing his head off me her. After all, we were both mature adults- and he was only trying to help me, not sneak a schoolboy peek at my anatomy, for goodness sake, What in the world made me think that I was so irresistible to him? Why, thinking of it now, I was sure that back in Manhattan, he had legions of women after him. Elegant, glamorous, poised-and-polished females who suited his lifestyle like a pair of his handmade Italian loafers or his fancy silk suit. Brian Adams had it all he was successful, handsome, intelligent and, to hear Faith tell it, awesomely wealthy. Why, just because he'd kissed me last night, I couldn't assume he was unattached. He could be involved in a serious relationship, for all I knew. It was ridiculous, really, to think a man like that could even be interested in me. Sure, he was show ering her with attention right now. But only because he felt guilty and responsible for the way I'd stupidly hurt myself. Hadn't he told mine as much? I'd had so little male attention lately, I'd let my imagination and emotions-just run away with me. Sorry, Olivia, I consoled myself as she adjusted the ice pack on my ankle, but your average millionaire businessman from New York City does not suddenly take up with a single mom of meager income and disreputable background-from Sweetwater, Texas. Maybe in a romance novel. But it certainly isn't about to happen right here, in your kitchen, dear.
"Is this the one you mean, Mom?" Noah finally returned wIth my sweatshirt. Better late than never, I thought. Thankful for the coverage I wriggled into it just as I heard Brian coming down the stairs again. As he help me up to my bathroom. Though he did not don blind fold, I managed to talk him into providing a sturdy armchair next to the tub, so that I could maneuver myself in and out without his aid.
Stil, it wasn't the most relaxing bath I'd ever taken, for Brian had insisted on stationing himself right next to the unlocked door the entire time, in case I called for help. While I knew he was only Concerned for me, and certainly wasn't peeking through the keyhole, it made me nervous to sit there, totally bare except for a few soap bubbles, while he was just inches away.
AI sat very still, listening and could have sworm I actually heard him breathing.
"Olivia? Are you all right in there?" he called out suddenly in alarm.
"Just drowning in my own fantasies," she whispered to myself as I sudsed one shoulder. "For instance, l'd just love you to scrub my back witn this lovely loofa sponge, Brian....... I bet those strong hands give a magnificent massage,"
"What did you say he called a bit louder "I didn't quite hear you Are you okay?"
I heard the doorknob rattle. He wasn't coming in, was he? I sat up in alarm, sloshing water in all directions.
"I'm perfectly fine," I called out quickly, "Be out in a minute."
"Be careful getting out. Maybe I ought to come in and help you," he added, sounding worried.
Any more help, and I'll need a cold shower,I thought
"No...please," I insisted. It was an acrobatic feat of some merit, but I did manage to raise my self up, hop nimbly from the claw-foot tub and grab on to the armchair. Unfortunately, in the process I knocked into a cupboard, which sent a soap dish and a metal cup full of toothbrushes flying. "I'm coming in!" Brian warned me before he burst through the door like a superhero.
I barely had time to grab a near by towel and cover what I could. I glared at him, balancing on my good leg and holding the chair with one hand while I clutched the towel to my chest with the other.
"Brian ...please! l'm all right. I just knocked some things on the floor."
He just stood in the doorway, his expression turning slowly from one of deep concern to a broad sunny smile.