He looks up at me with a tight expression. “It’s fine, just give me a minute.”
“It’s not fine, you’re hurt. You’re bleeding.” I walk to the cabinet beneath the sink, knowing there’s a first aid kit there. I open it and pull out antiseptic wipes, then I rummage through my makeup bag and find tweezers.
I kneel down in front of him, taking his foot gently in my hand. “Here, let me.” I wince when I take a closer look at his foot. There are several nasty pieces lodged under his soft skin. “I’ll be as gentle as I can, okay?”
He nods and I watch him clench his teeth as I pinch one of the shards with my tweezers. I pull gently, not knowing if it’s better to go slow, or get it over with quickly, but not wanting to causeany further damage also. When the piece is out, I wipe his foot with the antiseptic, pressing down firmly to stem the bleeding. He watches me intently, but I say nothing, not wanting him to stop me caring for him as he has for me.
After taking the last piece out and cleaning that too, I tidy everything away, then walk back to where he’s still sitting silently on the edge of the bath. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and bury my head in his neck.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
His arms slide around me and his fingers find their way under my tank to rest on my back. “Don’t be sorry, you didn’t do anything.”
“It’s my fault your feet are cut,” I whisper, feeling guilty.
“Don’t talk crazy, Arianna.”
“Then why are you mad?”
“You think I’m mad? Ari, I’m not mad.” He shakes his head softly.
“Then why the silent treatment?”
He shrugs. “No one other than my mom has ever cared for me like that. I don’t think anyone has ever wanted to.”
I don’t know what to say to that. I’m sad for him that no one has wanted to look after him the way he has me, but I’m also glad that no one else has done that too. Selfishly, I want to be the only one who cares for him. I want to tell him that I’d do it every day if he wants me too, but I don’t know where those thoughts are coming from and why. He’s right. There is a whole tangle of things to think through, but I’m certain of one thing. He makes everything easier just by being around. I’m happy to let him take care of me, and I want to take care of him.
“Come on, Stunner, it’s the middle of the night and you need to rest.”
“Will you stay with me tonight?” I ask without hesitation.
“Will you sleep better if I stay?”
“Yes, the bed is too big when I’m on my own.”
I love having a huge, plush bed to myself, but after having slept with Denham wrapped around me last night, my bed feels cold and lonely without him.
Denham turns all the lights out and we climb into bed. I wriggle until my back is flush with his front, and his arm pulls me in close, his fingers lacing with mine. Our even breaths synchronize and we drift into a very peaceful sleep.
Chapter 12
Iwake to the sound of a continuous dull thud. It takes a couple of minutes to clear the sleep fog before it dawns on me that I’m not dreaming and I can actually hear this repeated sound. I sit bolt upright, and try to figure out where the sound is coming from. It’s not in the apartment, but it’s close.
Denham is still fast asleep so I shake him by the shoulder to wake him up. He groans and stirs but shows no sign of waking fully, so I whip the covers back. “Wake up, Denham, there’s someone out there.” That gets him. He sits up fast and springs out of bed.
“I think someone is banging on your door across the hall, it’s been going on for ages.”
“That’s it?” he grumbles. “Whoever is banging can wait. Or even better, they can go away.”
I watch his stomach ripple as he runs his hands through his now mussed up hair. The just got out of bed suits him very well. In fact, he owns it. I let my eyes roam down the angular lines of his jaw, across his broad shoulders and then down over hissculpted torso. The lines of his body seem to lead me to that sexy V which draws my eyes downwards under those cotton lounge pants which I just want to…
“Are you objectifying me, Arianna?” he questions.
Oh god. Ground, just open up and swallow me whole.“I…um, I…” I cover my now very red face with my hands and let myself fall backwards.
He climbs back in, and I feel him place his hands either side of my head as he straddles me with his legs and covers me with his body, pushing me into the mattress. He kisses my hands in turn so gently it sends shivers down my arms. “Look at me,” he orders softly.
I shake my head from side to side. I’m mortally embarrassed. I have no idea what just came over me, and even worse, I’m fighting with myself not to uncover my eyes and finish my visual exploration of Denham’s amazing body.
