“You’re going to break your neck trying to hop around on one foot. Just put a towel around yourself when you’re ready, and I’ll perch you on the side of the tub.” And he wouldn’t be tempted to rip the towel off of her. Not at all. He settled her on the stool, and scowled when she gave him a narrow-eyed glare. His intentions were honorable. He couldn’t help the odd lustful thoughts here and there. He wasn’t dead after all. “I’m not trying to get you naked. I have some self-preservation instincts. Besides, I’ve already seen you naked, remember?”

“Now I do,” she groaned, planting her palm on her forehead. “Fine, fine. Go away. I’ll call you when I’m ready.”

He went outside and stood a couple feet from the door, so he didn’t feel like a lecherous creep but was still close enough to get to her in one bound if she needed help. There was some grunting and shuffling on the other side of the door, so Seth focused his mind on naming the capital cities of all the states, not her undressing progress.

“Ow, ow, ow,” she whimpered.

Shit. He was at the door in an instant with his hand on the handle. “Tara? Are you okay? Do you want me to come in?”

“No! It just hurt a little to pull my foot out of my ski pants. I’m fine now. Give me two more minutes before you burst in here.”

He growled with frustration. If he’d helped her, she wouldn’t have hurt herself getting her foot out of her pants. Seth wished they were already at the point in their relationship where he could help her undress and get her in the bath without all these obstacles. But they only had two dates left then he would be leaving for Paris. Rather than the usual excitement and anticipation, he felt something akin to regret at the thought. Why did he have to leave for Paris so soon? Because he had an incredible job he couldn’t pass up, and a promising future ahead of him.

With an impatient sigh, he raked his fingers through his hair. They weren’t in a real relationship. They were playing a game. But was he just playing a game with her? Shit. Acid filled his stomach at the unavoidable truth. He wanted more. More time. More than a game. More Tara.

“Okay. I’m ready,” she said quietly from the other side of the door.

Pushing aside his troubling thoughts, Seth took a deep, steadying breath and let himself into the bathroom. The hair she’d braided for skiing now fell in waves down her naked shoulders. The towel covered her from her chest to her knees, but so much glorious skin was laid bare for his perusal. Fuck. She wasn’t displaying her nakedness for him to admire. She was waiting to be carried to her bath.

He cautiously lifted her into his arms, making sure he didn’t jostle her injured foot. “You all right?”