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“Give me a thumbs-up if you’re okay with me washing you, little owl.”

Mmmn, Tamsyn loved it when he called her that—she was always justTamsynor the genericgirlwithin the community. There was never love or affection; just the terse tone of an owner with his hand on the leash of a trained pet.

Merrick didn’t just give her one pet name, buttwo. He made her feel human despite the fact he didn’t know her real name. That love and affection she’d yearned for after her mother died was right there in his voice, without asking, without her saying a word.

She made a squeaky sound in her throat and popped her thumb in the upright position.

Almost instantly, she was in flight. Not scooped this time, but picked up like a child and settled on his hip for the short three steps to the tub shimmering with gently steaming water that was so clear, she could see a faint pattern on the bottom of the tub.

“It’s not too hot, little owl, but it’s gonna sting for a minute.” Merrick slid her down until her cold feet touched that ethereal surface and sank into wet heat. His hands kept her steady when she wobbled, guiding her down until she sat in the water, hissing between her teeth as her skin tingled and wounds stung. “That’s a good girl. If you feel comfortable enough, you can lay back. I won’t let you go under,” he assured her. “This’ll take ten minutes, fifteen tops.”

Because his voice stroked over her like a hand, Tamsyn tipped her head back; his palm cradled her skull, easing her down until her shoulders touched the tub and water lapped over her chest. It felt so nice, so warm, soaking into her muscles until they went limp.

She heard Merrick say something, then watched as he dunked a pretty yellow cloth into the water and poured pale purple liquid on top. He started with her throat first, lathering her with soap, filling her nose with the scent of flowers.

Her eyes drifted shut briefly as he washed the back of her neck, her shoulders, down to her chest…

And woke as her head slid into the water, her face above the surface.

“Just washing your hair, little owl. Almost done.” Merrick’s eyebrows were creased in concentration, but his eyes were amused when they flicked to hers. “Not trying to drown you, I promise. Did you have a good nap?”

Blearily, she glanced around, waiting for her sluggish brain to function.

Oh, but his fingertips massaging her scalp felt…

The next time she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the bathroom. She was warm and dry, tucked into one side of a huge bed with a stack of pillows behind her. A thick duvet covered her all the way to the top of her breasts, her good arm down by her side, and the broken one on her stomach, elevated by yet another pillow.

It was wrapped in a cold cloth, easing the throbbing ache in the bone.

It was a very manly room, she noted, taking in her surroundings. Thankfully, her brain was faster at rebooting this time, letting her absorb the details.

The walls were cream, punctuated with framed pictures of various landscapes. Places she’d never seen before—a mountain range with the sun barely hovering over the peaks in a sky swirling with pinks and purples, with the last remnants of a starry night behind them. A huge expanse of buildings emersed in fog, a city submerged in nature. A pair of stags, antlers locked, at the side of a lake, their reflection bouncing off the still surface.

The pictures didn’t offer a personal view into the man, but they were beautiful in their own way. In that way, she supposed, theydidgive a glimpse into who Merrick was; someone who appreciated the beauty of the world around him.

The curtains and bedcovers were chocolate brown, just the right shade to compliment the cream, while the carpet was a hint darker, flecked with specks of gold like tiny stars. In front of the bed, a rustic hearth hosted a simmering fire, casting dancing shadows over the room.

Simple, solid style.

Not that she understood anything about that sort of thing, but the room resonated with her, making her feel at home. It was calm, unruffled, and didn’t twang her nerves like that other… she shuddered, unable to think aboutthat place.

“…other things to do, Merrick. It’s been over an hour already.”

Tamsyn wrinkled her nose at the sound of the doctor’s voice. Maybe she was a nice lady and good at her job, but she—and herequipment—needed to take themselves far, far away.

“You said yourself, she needs the rest. She’s exhausted, Linnie. Fell asleep in the bath after barely a minute.” Merrick’s voice was low but firm. “I don’t mind if you put the IV in while she’s out, but the catheter is an entirely different matter.”

“It didn’t matter to you the first time around.”

“That was a necessity. We didn’t know how long she’d be unconscious. Things have changed; she gets a say in what happens to her body when there’s an option.”

“Consent has to be taken into account.” Another voice agreed, this one oddly accented. “Merrick’s right, Linnie. The IV is a must for her health, but the girl should be involved in decisions that—”

“Fine! Fine, I’m just going to agree because between the pair of you, you’re not going to listen to reason.”

“This is reason, Linnie. Let me see if she’s awake yet. I can insert a catheter blindfolded if that’s what she chooses, but IVs aren’t in my wheelhouse.”

“IVs shouldn’t be a goddamn kink, Merrick. Leave them to the professionals.”