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“Huh.” Jenny continued to eat as she tried to work out why someone would want to hurt her. It made no sense. Finally, she was done and she moved to get up so she could carry her plate to the kitchen.

“Whoa, what are you doing?”

“I was going to rinse off my plate and put it into the dishwasher.”

Brax shook his head. “No, you don’t. Right now, you are the invalid and it’s my job to baby you until you’re back up to your fighting weight. Do you need to lie down?”

“You’re kidding, right? I just spent ten solid hours in bed. I need to stand.”

“Okay, but you’re not going to do dishes. You can stand on the other side of the kitchen island and admire my domestic skills. That way if you get woozy you can lean on the counter. Got it?”

Jenny thought about it and realized she might actually have to lean.

Dammit.

“Okay.” She got up slowly and followed Brax over to the kitchen island and watched as he rinsed plates and put them into the dishwasher. He had his shirtsleeves rolled up and she noticed the corded muscles of his forearms and his strong hands. Hands that she wouldn’t mind having touch her body. All over her body.

Damn, I am getting woozy.

She leaned against the counter.

“See, I was right.”

“I guess so,” she agreed.

“Let’s get you back on the couch. You don’t have to lie down, you can just sit and veg out for a bit.”

“Don’t you need to go into work?”

“I took the day off.”

“Brax, just how many days off can you possibly take?”

“I had a lot of PTO accrued. I’m covered. And then when I’m not, CiCi will be stopping by to stay with you.”

“I don’t want to put all of you out.”

“You’re not. I’m right where I want to be.”

Jenny frowned. He wasn’t making any sense. Brax must have seen her. He finished putting the last dish in the washer, then came over to stand next to her. He wrapped his hand around the nape of her neck, gently forcing her to look up at him.

“Haven’t you figured it out, beautiful? I’m serious about you. I know you’re not ready to hear this, and I’m more than willing to go slow. Consider me in first gear. We’re friends who kiss. I want to build on that.”

“Sex?” she squeaked out.

“Eventually.” He grinned. “Is that really so scary?”

“Uhm. No?”

He laughed. “Love the enthusiasm, Babe.”

She put her hands on his chest. “I’m sorry. I mean, yes?”

“Is sex so scary?” Brax teased.

“No, you big goof. Yes, eventually sex.”

“It won’t be sex. By the time we get to fourth gear, it’ll be making love. But like I said, we have all the time in the world.”