He tried repeatedly to awaken Sammy, but got little more than a drowsy protest. When Julian glanced at her, she saw real concern in his honey-brown eyes. “This is not good.
“Neil,” he called as he lifted the child into his arms. The security officer appeared in the doorway. “Bring Dr. Vogel to me. And have Grimes bring me a change of clothes.”
Neil bowed his head and disappeared. Katrina saw the elbow of another agent as he took over point on guarding Julian. She was surprised to see such close security inside the palace and wondered if there was something he was dealing with that he hadn’t mentioned in his list of issues. But seeing him carry Sammy into the bathroom distracted her from the random thought.
“Here, hold him.” Julian handed the limp child to her.
“What are you doing?” She cradled Sammy to her as Julian removed his jacket and went to work on the buttons of his white silk shirt.
“We need to wake him up.” He reached into the shower and turned on the water before stripping off his shirt and tossing it over the sink. His wallet went on the counter. The muscles in his broad back and arms flexed as he kicked off his shoes and removed his socks. He might be a numbers man, but he definitely kept in shape.
Catching on to Julian’s plan, Katrina began to disrobe Sammy. The pants and underwear came off with a tug, a sign he’d lost weight over the past few days. The shirt was a tougher matter as it needed to go over his head and his deadweight made it difficult to maneuver.
“I’ve set it at cool not cold. I don’t want to freeze the lad. If that doesn’t work, I’ll adjust it.” Julian finished setting the temperature and turned to help. He yanked the shirt off, and gathering Sammy into his arms, he stepped into the tub under the full blast of the water. He was soaked in seconds.
Sammy startled when the first rush of spray hit him. And still it took him a few minutes to come completely awake and begin to struggle in his uncle’s arms. Katrina used the time to gather towels. Julian hadn’t closed the curtain, so she dropped one on the floor to absorb the splashing. The remaining three she kept on hand for the bathers.
“Let him get mad,” she advised Julian. “The adrenaline will help fight the effects of the sedative.”
He nodded, indicating he’d heard, but kept his attention focused on containing the slippery child.
Enthralled, Katrina watched. And what a sight. Saturated with water the heavy weight of Julian’s trousers drooped down his hips to reveal the top of black knit briefs. Rivulets of water rolled over broad shoulders and down muscles bunching and flexing in his bid to keep the flailing Sammy from hurting himself. Or Julian. The boy had already landed a couple of good hits.
She supposed she should leave. Julian had the situation well in hand. Literally. But she was helpless to drag herself away. A wet, half-naked Prince Julian tempted her beyond good sense.
Besides the tub was slick; he could slip. Best she remain to catch him if he slipped. The visual of getting her hands on all that slick skin made her mouth water. She swallowed hard and began an internal lecture on the impropriety of lusting after her host and employer. Add in the royal factor, and it broke so many rules she lost count.
“Get a grip,” she muttered.
“I have him.” Julian shot her a glance over his shoulder. “But I now have a healthy respect for the term greased pig. Chasing them is a favorite event at our Harvest Festival each May. Do you suppose it’s been long enough?”
“Yes.” She leaned in and got misted with spray as she turned off the water.
Then she enveloped Sammy in a big white towel and took him from Julian. The boy shivered in her arms. She rubbed briskly over his little body and turned for the bedroom. She spotted the other towels and picked up one to offer Julian, but when she looked back, he was unzipping his pants.
He lifted one dark eyebrow.
Heat flooded her
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