Deadly Illusions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 3) by Lily Harper Hart Page B

into the shower behind her, reaching for her shower gel as the water sluiced over them.
    Mandy stood beneath the steady stream, letting the water pelt her directly in the face. Her eyes were still burning from all the smoke, but her heart was in the most pain. James’ screams would haunt her for weeks – maybe years – to come. His heartbroken face would plague her nightmares. She felt guilty.
    She jumped when she felt James’ hands in her hair. Without opening her eyes, she detected the unmistakable scent of coconut as he massaged the shampoo into her golden locks. He drew in as close as he could behind her, massaging her scalp with his fingers. She wanted to purr like a cat – but the situation seemed somehow more serious than that.
    After the shampoo rinsed clean, James did the same with the conditioner, ultimately finishing up by filling her purple sponge with body gel and rubbing it over her body until all of the black soot washed away. On a normal night, the shower would have been sensuous. Tonight, though, it was sweet and poignant.
    When he was done, James shut off the shower and wrapped Mandy in a towel before heading toward the bedroom.
    “I’ll be there in a few minutes,” Mandy said.
    “What are you going to do?” James asked, his tone suspicious.
    “I have to blow dry my hair. If I don’t, I’ll wake up looking like Medusa.”
    James looked like he didn’t care, but instead of arguing he turned and walked back into the bathroom, rummaging through a drawer until he found the blue hair dryer. He plugged it in, pushing the toilet seat down so he could sit on it, and then motioning to the spot in front of him.
    Mandy raised an eyebrow, confused.
    “Sit,” James ordered.
    “I can blow dry my own hair,” Mandy said, clutching the towel closer to her chest.
    “Sit,” James repeated.
    Mandy reluctantly lowered herself toward the ground, but James snagged her by the waist and pulled her onto the toilet seat with him, making sure her rear was snug against his groin. He then flipped the hair dryer on before she could protest and started jerking the warm air over her hair.
    Mandy was keenly aware of just how upset he really was – and she felt ashamed. She hadn’t thought it was a big deal when she handed Emma the photograph. She’d been basking in her triumph. James’ reaction was startling, causing her to realize just how close she had come to breaking his heart.
    It took James about ten minutes to dry her hair. Mandy jumped when the hair dryer finally shut off. James’ forehead lowered to the back of her head briefly, and Mandy stilled so he could gather the strength he seemed to be lacking. After a few seconds, James pushed her up in front of him and deposited the hair dryer back in the drawer.
    Once they were in the bedroom, Mandy climbed between the cool, satin sheets and rested her head on the pillow. James flicked the light switch and, even though she couldn’t see him, Mandy could feel him as he slipped beneath the covers next to her.
    Most nights, Mandy slept on her left side and James snuggled in behind her. Then, sometime during the night, they both shifted so she ended up waking up with his left arm around her back and her head on his shoulder.
    Mandy wanted to reach out to him, to comfort him, but she was terrified to push him over the edge.
    It was James who finally reached for her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her body on top of his. He settled her so her head was pressed to his chest – the steady rhythm of his heart already lulling her – and her legs were clamped together between his thighs. He tightened his arms around her, giving her absolutely no wiggle room.
    “You’re never going to be able to sleep like this,” Mandy murmured, already drifting off. “I’m too heavy. You’ll be uncomfortable.”
    “Shh,” James admonished her. “I need to hold you, baby. I just … let me hold you.”
    Mandy sighed, snuggling closer to him and resting her hand on