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 How?
Naked 121
He drew in a deep breath.  I apologize in advance for prying, but I
need to know.
 Okay.
 Who fathered your child?
 Carrington.
He nodded.  Sia, do you know what the Cranes will do to you if
they find out?
 They already have. Jordon knows.
 Sia.
 But it s okay. It s okay, Taylor. Carrington s going to help me,
and now you will, too.
* * * *
He gazed at her with dove eyes. Baby& If you were mine, I swear
they d never touch you.
 You ll still help, right? she urged.
 Of course, Sia.
 Okay. She nodded.  Okay. Tay?
 Yes?
 How dangerous is this? Her face showed a little fear.
He stared at her for a moment, wishing he could lie his way out.
 Very.
Sia sighed and ran her hand across the crown of her head.  If I
agree to help you, will you promise me one more thing?
 That depends.
 We all come out of this alive. You, me, Carrington, and my
baby.
Taylor hesitated before answering.  Everything will work out for
the better.
Her voice broke.  Promise me. She was searching for the truth.
She knew now that it lay deep within his eyes.
 I ll do everything I can, Sia.
122 Ashley Brooke
 No, you ll do more. You ll do more than that. Please, Tay!
He reached out to stroke her cheek.  You have my word.
Naked 123
Chapter 8
It was Christmas morning, and Taylor was still sleeping. Poor
guy, he d spent hours working all day yesterday. Sia left the bathroom
door open. She d convinced herself that she was simply worried about
it becoming too warm, but her heart knew better. Taylor was tall,
strong, and attractive. He had the ability to make any woman melt, in
love or not. The tile in the bathroom was beautiful, and the candles
she d lit gave the area a golden glow.
Sia was feeling tense and thought a warm bath should do the trick.
She climbed into the Jacuzzi, kneeling slowly. The water was hot, and
the soap bubbles instantly clung to her tingling, pale flesh. The overall
scent in the master bathroom was heavenly, and she basked in it. She
leaned until she was lying on her back and then propped both of her
knees up. She closed her eyes and began to imagine Carrington lying
beneath her with Taylor at her feet. What she d give to have them
holding her at that moment.
Sia adjusted her hips so that she could be a little more
comfortable. The water swooshed and blocked out the sound of
Taylor opening his bedroom door.
* * * *
Taylor had just woken up and wore nothing but his dark green
pajama bottoms. He could smell the incense of Sia s candles in his
room. Instinctively, he followed the smell. It led him straight to the
master bathroom.
124 Ashley Brooke
Sia was lying still with her eyes closed. She was covered with
bubbles, and her pretty, brown hair lay plastered to her arms. Her face
was damp, and her well-defined, caramel thighs glistened in the
candlelight. Taylor marveled at her beauty. She looked like an angel
from heaven, delicate, vulnerable, and absolutely stunning.
Sia opened her eyes. She tensed at the sight of him.
 You re beautiful, he rasped.
 What are you doing in here?
He took a step closer and then kneeled at the Jacuzzi.  Last time I
checked, we re both staying here.
 Get out. You have to leave.
 Why?
Sia sat up and covered her full breasts with her hands.  Because
we can t do this. It s wrong.
 Oh, come off it. You know as well as I do that you wanted me to
see you.
 What?
 You purposely left the door open so that I would walk by and
find you lying in here naked.
 That s absurd! You were sleeping!
 But you hoped I wouldn t be for long. Taylor stood and placed
his hands on his hips.
 You re full of yourself. Sia laid back down.
He laughed impishly.
As if on cue, a knock came at the door.  I wonder who that could
be, Taylor muttered, and then headed out.
* * * *
The knock came again. Taylor headed over to the door with a
cocksure grin. When he opened it, his smile faded.
 I need to speak to Sia, Carrington demanded.
 What, did you follow her all the way here to Russia?
Naked 125
 What? Carrington stepped up to his challenger, daring to strike
him with his bare hands.
 What s going on out here? Sia was adjusting the belt on her
robe.
Carrington glanced past Taylor and then forced his way around
him, brushing his shoulder against his.  Hey, babe. He wrapped his
arms around Sia and then planted a passionate kiss on her lips.
Taylor shifted uncomfortably and glanced away.
 Um, you can stay if you like 
 I don t need you to tell me 
 But we ll probably be a little loud. Just a heads up. Carrington s
glare was hot as fire and as cold as ice.
Sia swallowed and narrowed her gaze to the ground.
Taylor glanced from Carrington s face to hers. He said nothing
more before storming out.
Carrington turned to face Sia again.  Are you okay?
 Are you okay? she asked with raised eyebrows. She frowned.
 What happened to your head?
There was a bloody scratch on his eyebrow.
 It s nothing. Just a little scratch. I ll be fine.
 It doesn t look like a little scratch.
 It s just a little cut. It ll heal. Carrington brought her hand down
and kissed it.
She continued to stare at his head.  Sit on the couch, I ll be right
back. She started down the hall.
 I m fine! Carrington called after her.  Really! By the time he
sat down, Sia was back with a first aid kit.
She placed the white box on the couch beside him and began to
rummage through it for supplies. When she found what she needed,
she pulled Carrington s baby hairs back with her hand and proceeded
to clean his cut with a small piece of cloth she held with the other.
Carrington made a noise and gently squeezed her waist with his
hands.
126 Ashley Brooke
 I m sorry, Sia whispered, continuing to dab his head gently.
 It s not your fault. He winced.
 How d you get it, anyway?
 Uh&  He hesitated as he tried to think of a lie.  What?
 Don t you lie to me.
 I slipped on some ice running across the street. It wasn t exactly
a lie.
Sia set the used piece of cloth down and then grabbed another one.
She wet it with alcohol again, and then continued her process of
cleaning out his cut. Carrington closed his eyes tight and gritted his
teeth.
 Ugh, poor baby, Sia whispered.  Honey, I think you might need
stitches.
 No, he gasped.  It s not that bad.
Sia shook her head. Just like a man. She balled up the used cloth
and then reached for two thin white strips.  Tilt your head back for
me, she said softly. He obeyed her. Sia laid the strips on his head and
then reached for the medical tape. She tore off two pieces and then
tapered the two thin strips down onto his eyebrow. She finger-combed
his short bangs back. She framed his face with her hands and gazed at
him for a moment.
 Good as new, she grinned.
 Thanks, Doc. Carrington smiled back softly and then gave her
hips a little wiggle.
Sia leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
 You re so beautiful, Carrington muttered against her mouth.
Sia lifted her head as she ran her fingers through his hair. She took
another step closer. Carrington nestled his face between her breasts [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]