Week 20 – Court's Confession Challenge:

Use one or both of the following prompts -- (1) Quote: "I have a confession to make." and/or (2) Words: backup, promise, bet, problem, plan. Your responses can be anywhere from one line and up. The reward is Confessions. For EVERY 12 responses I'll post a section of Confessions.

Caught!

by jnharrow

I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a fluffy towel around myself and another around my head. Blissfully clean, I opened the door to the bedroom and clouds of fragrant steam escaped with me.

I made it two steps towards the bed before I noticed him.

"Uh--" I said, intelligently.

Reclining on the bed, arms folded, as if he had every right in the world to be there, he simply raised an eyebrow.

"You're in Boston." I tried again. Nope, not better.

"I was."

Well, this is awkward. I dug my toes into the soft carpet and stood there trying to think of something to say.

"Problem, Babe?" he asked, dark eyes serious. "Stalker?"

"No, no, just the usual. Skip got away. It's raining; there's mud and I found it. Or it found me." Yay, words! Words are good.

"Need backup?"

"Oh…no. This one isn't scary, just fast." I reached up, pulled the towel from my hair and began patting my curls dry. This served two purposes, I didn't have to look at him and I'd be better prepared for a sudden getaway should one be needed. Also, maybe an excuse would come to me in the next few minutes.

It didn't.

When I flipped my hair back, my time was up. He'd silently uncoiled from the bed and there were inches between us.

He trailed one finger down my cheek and lifted my chin and I had no choice but to meet his eyes.

I broke. "I have a confession to make."

One eyebrow rose.

"I ran out of Bvlgari. Ella packed some with my stuff the last time I stayed here and it ran out yesterday and I don't know where Ella gets it and I was so wet and muddy and I knew you were gone and--" I paused, trying to gauge his mood from his expressionless face and neutral eyes.

"So you came here for my bath gel."

"Yes."

Ranger was silent for a moment, then said, "I have a plan."

"You do?"

"Something I'd bet you can't refuse, involving unlimited access to what you need."

"Really?" I asked, warily. What's the catch here?

"But you have to promise not to take any more Bvlgari out of my bathroom."

"I promise!"

"You have your fingers crossed, don't you."

I blushed. "No." I uncrossed them.

He smiled.