I’m too out of it to bother with self-consciousness.
Despite the pain still prickling behind my eyelids, Kellin’s gentle fingers are a balm against my scalp. His nails scrape my skin just so, and all the tension and worry drain away with the shampoo.
Who knew the hands that can dislocate a man’s shoulder in seconds can also so effectively give a scalp massage?
After Kellin thoroughly soaps and rinses, he quickly cleans himself—I wish I felt good enough to enjoy the view—and then switches off the water.
He sits me back down on the toilet lid, carefully drying every inch of my skin with my favorite fluffy green towel.
Then he leaves before returning with some fresh clothes. How he managed to choose my coziest set of pajamas is beyond me, but he did.
I reach my hand out in a weak attempt to dress myself.
He gently bats the appendage away with my shirt. “Maeve. Let me.”
My heart leaps at his impossibly soft voice.
Has anyone ever…cared for me like this? In my entire life? Surely my mother did, right? When I was small?
Yet, not a single memory comes to mind. I’m in foreign territory here.
The simple act of Kellin bathing me, drying my hair, guiding my arms through sleeves…
The intimacy steals my breath. If I had any energy left, I might cry.
Instead, I push a smile to my tired lips as Kellin tugs the neck of my shirt down over my face. “Well, that was exhausting, and I didn’t even do anything.”
He laughs softly, plucking the brush from my sink and gently dragging the bristles through my hair. “I didn’t do all of it. You did raise each foot a couple of inches so I could get your lounge pants on.”
And doing that much already drained me of strength. I can’t possibly work in this condition.
I drop my head into my hands. “Grab my phone?”
After two or three attempts to text Lenora—I just keep erasing the messages and starting over—Kellin pries the device from my hand.
“What can I do to help you today?” His fingers grab mine and squeeze. “Lenora can be you, and I’ll be Lenora. Assign meany tasks that you both think I can handle. That way, you won’t fall behind.”
His face is smoother now than before the shower. The little frown lines have vanished for the most part, replaced by that sweet, charming smile he wore that first night.
His dark eyes soften with…worry?
I’m not even embarrassed by the tears burning my own eyes. “How are you even real? How was I so lucky that you came by, wanting to invest in me?”
I raise my hand to caress his cheek before letting it drop.
Kellin grunts and glances away.
Was that a thank you? Where’d this humility come from?
I never imagined Kellin would struggle with receiving a compliment.
Though I guess I’m the same way.
He ushers me back into bed. Places a glass of water by my side. Sets my phone next to that. The shower dulled my headache, but the dizziness remains, only minimally soothed once I’m horizontal again.
“I’m going to find you some chicken soup, ginger ale, and crackers. I’m sure the kitchen downstairs has what you need.” He brushes his fingers across my face, trails them down my neck. “Stay here. I’ll find Lenora and let her know what’s going on. We’ll take care of everything.”
I close my eyes as gratitude wells in my throat. “Thank you, Kellin. You’re my hero.”
