Page 32 of Embrace the Darkness
“What?” Stefan snapped, his patience dwindling.
“She said, ‘Zack and Tyson.’”
Stefan bristled but quickly recovered and stood. “Alright. I’ll take it from here. Help her get to her room.”
Jamie took his place kneeling in front of me again. “Can you walk? If not, I can carry you.”
If he carries you, you won’t be able to look anyone in the eye tomorrow.
Jamie nodded and I realized I'd unintentionally said that out loud. He pulled lightly with the hand that still held mine. I got to my feet and let him lead me back to my room.
CHAPTER 15
“I smell chlorine,” I mumbled as we walked into my bedroom.
“You went swimming,” Jamie reminded me. “Do you want to take a bath? Your muscles might be sore soon, if they aren’t already.”
I shook my head. He was still holding my hand and I was worried if he let go, my mind would spiral again. He tugged on my hand. “Come on, you’ll feel better after.” He tried to release my hand, but I tightened my grip and grabbed his wrist with my other hand to strengthen my hold.
“Please! Don’t leave me.” I hated the sound of panic in my voice. It was the sound of a helpless female. My need of him, however, outweighed my humiliation. If he stayed with me until I had a better grasp on myself, everything would be okay.
His free hand cupped the back of my neck. “I would never leave you,” he said softly, pulling me closer. I rested the uninjured side of my face over his heart. The satin fabric of his black dress shirt felt soft against my cheek as I listened to the steady beat in his chest. “Let’s get you into the bath. It will help, I promise.” Trusting him, I let him lead me into the bathroom and stopped us as we came upon the porcelain clawfoot tub.
“I’m going to let go. I’m not going to leave. I won’t go anywhere you can’t see me,” he said.
I took a deep breath and released his hand. My eyes never left him as he made quick work of unbuttoning the cuffs of his shirt before rolling up his sleeves to his elbows, exposing his tattooed skin. Bending over the tub, he turned the knobs, adjusting the temperature of the water pouring out of the faucet. Steam wafted above the water pooling at the bottom. He grabbed a bottle from the shelf on the wall and poured some of the liquid into the tub. Bubbles instantly began to form and the smell of lavender filled my nose.
Without saying a word of warning, Jamie slipped Louie’s shirt off my shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. He pulled at the strings of my bikini, peeling the piecesthat covered my skin away. I was as naked as the day I was born. My mind was too numb to care.
He grabbed my hand again and put his other at the small of my back, carefully helping me into the bath. The water was hot but not scalding. Just enough burn to feel good as I sank into it.
Jamie plucked a washcloth from a stack of many on the shelf and dropped it in the water. He knelt next to the tub after turning off the water. Sitting in the center of the tub, I bent my legs, bringing them to my chest. I felt Jamie reach into the water, scooping out the washcloth. Water dripped onto my back before the warm cloth slid down my spine. My eyes closed, relishing the sensation of it scrubbing gently against my skin.
“Do you need anything?” Louie’s voice broke the silence in the room. I opened my eyes to find him standing in the doorway. Gone was his normal carefree smile. He seemed tense while holding a Jamie-like stoic expression.
“She’s going to need an ice pack for her face and some clothes to sleep in. I’m putting her to bed after this,” Jamie replied. Louie nodded and left.
“Something’s wrong with Louie,” I mumbled.
Jamie’s head jerked back to me, seeming surprised. “He’ll get over it,” he replied.
I didn’t understand, nor did I have it in me to ask him to explain.
Dropping the washcloth into the water, he sat back on his heels.
He brushed the back of his fingers over the bruises forming on my arm. They were dark, already taking the shape of fingers. He looked angry, staring at the marred skin, but his touch was gentle.
“Are you ready to get out?”
I nodded and took his offered hand. Water and bubbles sluiced down my body as I stood, splashing into the tub below. Turning toward him, I caught him watching a cluster of bubbles making its way down my stomach. He fixated on them just before they reached the top of my mound, then his eyes dropped to the floor. He took a step back, giving me room to get out.
Once my feet hit the plush rug, Louie entered the bathroom carrying some clothes. He stopped in his tracks, eyes wide as they traveled along my wet body. He recovered quickly, schooling his expression. “I got her a big shirt and underwear.”
“Thanks, man. Can you toss me that towel hanging on the hook behind you?”
Louie grabbed the towel before tossing it to Jamie, who then wrapped it around my body.
“I can do it.” My voice was low, but Jamie still heard me.