—Lia, can you bathe by yourself?

Her silence was a clear answer, but he still did not dare to touch her. She had the emotional helplessness of a little girl, but her body was that of a woman, a very sensual woman. Leaning over the edge of the tub, she was making circles in the water with her fingertips, and in front of her stood Ian, not knowing what to do, wondering what it was about this woman that he couldn't just strip her naked and put her in the bath.

He reached a hand up to her left shoulder and gently slid the strap of her nightgown down. Lia didn't flinch. He repeated the operation with the other shoulder and the top of the garment slipped a little over her breasts. With a concentrated effort Ian mentally roused himself and took it on as a chore. It was obvious that she was having difficulty noticing his presence, so he set to work.

He grabbed the nightgown from both sides at her hips and pulled it down. The satin rolled over her skin like an invi