The Heart of Deception

Chapter 12

Three hours later, Lauren emerged from the bathroom, still feeling stiff and sore, but refreshed after a short warm shower. She ran a quick eye over the contents of the wardrobe.

With all the neatly stitched lacerations on her left thigh and hip, even wearing knickers was going to be dreadfully uncomfortable. She decided to forgo the underwear, in favour of comfort when she discovered a full length, silk caftan. It was emerald green and trimmed with fine gold brocading.

Her clean, damp hair curled around her shoulders, and the flowing garment clung to every curve as she walked, leaving little to the imagination. She instantly regretted her choice, when she encountered Kurt in the kitchen.

His fresh male scent filled the room. A shower and a change of clothing, had removed all traces of her blood, but had done nothing to alleviate his expression of trepidation.

“You’re meant to be in bed, Diane. John only agreed not to hospitalise you, because Helen’s going to be home to look after you tonight.”

His voice was strained, and his face pale and drawn, as he leaned against the kitchen counter.

“You don’t look like you’ve been resting at all.”

Her fingers restlessly turned Diane’s rings around her finger.

“The bed was wet and dirty, and I felt grubby.” Lauren blushed at his obvious concern. “Besides, I feel more human now I’ve cleaned myself up.”

“There was no need for you to have done it by yourself.” Kurt gave an exasperated sigh. “You could have called me. What about your stitches, aren’t they meant to be kept dry?”

She shrugged carelessly. “He sprayed them with a waterproof dressing. They’ll be okay. Besides, I dried them off with the hairdryer.”

Their eyes met across the room. Lauren glimpsed the anguish in those incredible blue eyes, before he turned away to look out of the window. Her heart went out to him, as she realised how her accident may have shocked him.

She impulsively closed the distance between them, and slid herself into the narrow space between Kurt and the counter. She laid a scratched hand against his cheek.

“I’m fine Kurt. Nothing’s broken,” she smiled reassuringly up into his tormented face. “In no time, I’ll be as good as new.”

He groaned as he gathered her up against his chest. Lauren let out a muffled cry of pain, as his arms closed tightly around her bruised ribs.

They both laughed as Kurt lifted her, and set her down on the counter. He settled himself comfortably between her knees, as her arms slid up over his shoulders. Gently, he drew her closer, and buried his face in her hair.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt, Diane?”

His husky voice sent a jolt of awareness down her spine. His breath was warm against her neck.

“Do you have any idea how I felt when I found you unconscious in the shower?”

Lauren mutely shook her head. Her fingers threaded themselves through his hair, and she turned her face to his. Her lips sought his with urgency, taking them both by surprise.

Alarm bells were ringing in her head. She was playing with fire, but she didn’t care. Right now she needed this. They both did. They clung to one another, with a frenzied passion. Driven by an all-consuming need to be one with him, Lauren wrapped her legs around him drawing him closer, the hem of the caftan riding up her thigh.

Kurt lifted her against his athletic torso, his heart rejoicing as his hands possessively slid under the lustrous fabric, to nestle the warm nakedness she was offering him beneath the silky garment. His mouth instinctively covered her startled gasp in a deep, searching kiss hoping to shatter any leftover resistance.