Part 26 (1/2)
But when she went to lean toward him, she found she couldn't do that. It was too bold, too beyond her comfort level. She didn't know what to do.
”Jordan, I can't.”
”Yeah, you can. Kiss me, Holly.”
She stared into his eyes, then allowed herself to get lost in the dark depths. She leaned forward and touched her lips to his.
The hand he was still holding got caught between them, and her wrist bent back. Sharp pain shot up her arm, and she pulled back. It wasn't going to work.
”I'm just not good at this,” she muttered, and turned away.
”Sure, you are.” He raised the bed a little, then patted his belly. ”Straddle me like you did when you were giving me a back rub.” He grinned. ”I'm pretty sure I can stand it.”
She eyed him doubtfully. She might not have ever seen a man naked before, but she knew where all the parts went. If she straddled him, then his ... she-knew-what would be pressed awfully close to her private parts, and she wasn't sure that was right or even legal. Although the statement about him being able to stand it was confusing. Would it hurt him?
”Never mind,” Jordan said suddenly. ”Bad idea. Why don't you let me get some rest?”
Now Holly was really confused. What was going on? One minute he wanted to kiss her, the next he was dismissing her?
Then she looked at him closely and recognized the tension around his mouth. He was embarra.s.sed. She wasn't sure by what, if it was his weakened condition or the fact that he thought she wasn't interested. It didn't matter. Holly's already soft heart melted. She grabbed his hand in both of hers.
”Don't be mad,” she said quietly. ”I don't mean to be shy, but this is all new to me.”
He gazed at her for a minute, then relaxed perceptibly, ”Yeah?”
”I swear. Tell me what to do.”
His eyes narrowed. ”Is this some sort of new-tech nursing technique?”
”I'm sure kissing is considered a breach of professional ethics.” Her voice was prim. ”I've never heard of it being prescribed for medicinal purposes.”
”A guy can always hope.”
He smiled and she relaxed. ”Tell me what to do.”
”Straddle my stomach.”
Feeling as coordinated and elegant as a newborn giraffe, she did as he requested. Thank goodness her sweater was loose so he couldn't get a good look at her body. That would be too embarra.s.sing to stand.
”Lean forward,” he instructed. ”Rest your forearms on the bed.”
”But then my-” She glanced down at her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. ”Then I'll be touching you with my chest.”
His smile broadened. ”That's the point.”
”Oh. Are you sure?”
”Trust me.”
She did as he requested. Their faces were inches apart. She could feel his sweet breath fanning her face. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s nestled against his lean strength as if they'd spent their whole lives looking for this one spot to rest.