Keira Kendrik by Jasmine's Escape Page A

her body from him.  His eyes held hers as she came to him and he wrapped the towel softly around her.  He slowly dried her from head to toe and then secured the towel around her body.  Then he drew her over silently to the counter of sinks and lifted her off her feet to sit on the counter.
    He took a brush and careful ly brushed all the tangles out of her hair.  Then he took out a hair dryer and dried her hair for her as she closed her eyes.  It felt so good to have someone care for her—his touch light and caring.  She heard the hair dryer turn off but couldn't seem to open her eyes.  She felt a feather light kiss on each of her closed eyes and then one on her cheek.  She opened her eyes to stare directly into Gabe's beautiful, blue eyes.  She smiled her thanks to him and placed her hands on each side of his face.  He leaned in and brushed their lips together in a kiss that was so light but still sent electric tingles throughout her body.  He slid his tongue along the seam of her lips as he had done in the dream and she moaned as she allowed him access to her mouth.
    Their tongues dueled together, sliding back and forth across each other as they explored each other's mouths .  Gabe kept his hands on either side of her, leaning on the counter while she kept her hands on his face, sliding her fingers into his hair.  He slowly released her mouth, lightly nipping on her lips as he pulled away.  Then he gently lifted her down from the counter and led her silently into the bedroom.
    Once there, he said, "Come, let's get you dressed .  Lucy has put out a huge spread of food.  You must be hungry."
    She heard the word food and her stomach decided to speak out, growling loudly.  They both laughed as she said, "I am, obviously.  Thank you for helping me.  I didn't realize how tired I was."
    "You have every right to be tired with all you have been through .  I will always be here to help you, you can lean on me anytime.  Now come, let's get you dressed.”  He began to hand her a pair of panties, which she slid on under the towel.
    “ Coward,” Gabe said with a grin.
    He helped her step into a pair of Capri pants and then slipped a t-shirt over her head .  She pulled the towel out from under the t-shirt and smiled at him as he knelt down to slide socks on her feet.
    He stood and held out his hand.  "Shall we?"
    She placed her hand in his with no hesitation .  "Let's."
    Together they walked out of the bedroom and he led her down the stairs to the dining room where Lucy had indeed put out a spread of food, enough to feed an entire ranch of people.
    ****
    After eating way too much food, the two women looked like they were ready to fall asleep where they were sitting .  As much protesting as Sophie did when Jackson and Cade tried to help her, she didn't say a word when Jackson picked her up to carry her to bed.
    Phoenix took Jackson's lead, picked up Jasmine and began to carry her upstairs .  When she opened her mouth to protest, he shook his head at her.
    "Uh-uh .  You allowed Gabe to care for you, it's my turn,” he said firmly. She quickly shut her mouth and laid her head on his shoulder.  He kissed the top of her head as he began to climb the stairs with her.  She was amazed at his strength, he wasn't even puffing his breath as he carried her up to her room.
    Gabe opened the door to her room for them to enter and pulled the covers back on the bed .  Phoenix gently sat her on the bed and while Gabe bent down to remove her socks, he went over to the dresser in the room.  Phoenix came back with a nightgown that was purple and looked to be made of silk.  They helped her out of her pants and t-shirt then slipped the gown over her head.  She sighed as they helped her settle back into the huge bed, covering her so she was comfortable.
    Phoenix leaned over her first and kissed her softly on the lips.   "We will be right next door if you need us."
    Then before she could say anything, Gabe took her chin and