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Chapter One
Winter was drivingbonkers While I lay li eance Yes, it afforded me an excellent view of his nicely shaped bottom, but the man wouldn’t sit still
Ordinarily, of course, I wouldn’t have co someone do my housework for me should have beenand the day before that Not to mention le inch of my flat that wasn’t sparkly Apart fro in the far corner staring at me But she was another story
Brutus was curled up on the sill, his tail twitching Winter had learned the hard way not to interrupt hi That corner was about the only safe place; everywhere else was being scrubbed and polished to within an inch of its life
‘Why don’t you take a break?’ I suggested
His head jerked up I’d never get tired of those blue eyes looking at ht? Do you need a break? A cup of tea? A biscuit? More painkillers? How about…’
I held up my hand ‘I’ But you need to stop cleaning There’s no more dirt You’ve scared it all away’
‘You’re right’
I breathed out a sigh of relief
‘I’ll just bleach the grout in the bathroom—’
‘Raphael!’ I bawled ‘Please, no grout! The grout is fine It doesn’t need bleaching’
‘There’s a bit in the corner that looks grubby’
I didn’t think I’d ever had such a long conversation about grout before In fact, I didn’t think the word grout had ever passed my lips ‘Just sit down Relax You’re like a perpetual-motion machine’
He gave a brief nod and perched on the sofa beside me He was hardly relaxed, however He looked as if he were about to spring up at the first sign of athe flash of pain that rapidly uncoiled deep inout in all directions I leaned my chin on his shoulder
‘Chill for a bit,’ I whispered I twirledadorably round the nape of his neck and gave it a gentle tug ‘There are other things we can do You don’t have to clean’ I letout the bare skin just above his belt Winter groaned slightly – then he pulled away Arse
‘You knohat the doctor said’
‘I really do think I’ better’
He turned round and met my eyes ‘Good,’ he said ‘But we can’t take any chances’ He dipped his head and brushed his lips against ht break me What he didn’t realise was that the touch of his lips had broken o I was Winter’s, body and soul I couldn’t see a future without him in it and all I wanted to do was to feel him wrapped around me for eternity I couldn’t say exactly when I’d transformed into the sort of soppy sack whom I’d normally slap around the face and truthfully it didn’t reallythat could have happened But, good grief, he needed to learn the art of relaxing
The old lady cackled and I ju?’
Soe hirave,’ I dismissed That was truer to the ’ The old lady scowled at me as if I’d just cursed her firstborn I passed a hand in front ofmad
‘Do you need another blanket?’ Winter asked
‘Nope’
‘Shall I plump your cushions so you’re more comfortable?’
‘Nope’
‘Do you need…’
‘Rafe,’ I sighed ‘All I need is you’