It gives me a minute to take in the wood floors and heavy beams on the ceiling. The stone fireplace and comfortable furniture. Not a glittering chandelier or oil painting in sight. “I love it.”
He cocks an eyebrow at me, then scans the room. “It’s probably not what you’re used to, but it’s clean, and secure. I have perimeter alarms, sensors on every door and window, and cameras at all the access points.”
Bronco rattles off the security details, and it helps, knowing there are measures in place. But the simple furnishings, the smell of wood and leather and him... it’s so far removed from my life that I feel a million miles away, and that alone makes me feel safe and protected.
He studies me. “Let’s get you clean and warmed up. I’ll run you a bath, and then I’ll take a look at those feet.”
I poke my toes out from under the blanket and grimace at the dirt and grime. “A bath sounds good. Do you have something else I could wear?” I don’t want to be in this dress a second longer.
Bronco seems to understand. “Yeah, princess. I’ll find you something.”
“Princess?” Does he see me as a spoiled heiress as so many others do?
He looks away. “That dress... you look regal.”
Oh. I glance down at where his jacket swallows me. I wonder how much he noticed before he rescued me.
If he saw me or just a damsel in distress.
Does it matter, Camille? He’s only here to protect you.
It does, though I can’t say why.
Bronco leans down. “Gonna take you to the bathroom and get the water started, okay?”
“Okay.”
He scoops me up again and takes me through the kitchen which looks like it’s been updated recently, and down a short hall. There’s a room on either side, and a bathroom at the end. The glass shower has simple white tile and black fixtures, and there’s a separate tub beside it. Like the kitchen, the décor is not as old as the house suggests.
“People I bought the house from renovated it several years back,” he says, setting me down on the lid of the toilet. “I guess the woman liked to take baths, so she insisted on a separate tub. Hasn’t been used since I moved in.”
“Not the soaking bath type?” I ask, teasing him a little. I can’t picture him trying to fold his big frame into the tub.
Those cognac eyes sparkle down at me. “Not yet.”
Does that mean he would? An image flashes to mind, of Bronco in the tub with me, his large body wrapped around mine as I rest against his chest.
A shiver rolls through me, and my belly makes that flutter again.
He starts the water, checks the temperature, then disappears out the door. When he returns, he lays a stack of clothes on the counter and hands me a fluffy gray towel and washcloth. It matches the gray hand towel hanging by the sink.
He follows my gaze, then rubs the back of his neck. “My mom says you aren’t an adult if you don’t have matching towels.”
I almost smile at that. “My mother says you aren’t an adult until you’ve thrown your first dinner party.”
“Jesus. Glad I didn’t grow up in your house.” He catches himself. “Sorry. I didn’t mean?—”
“I wish I’d grown up in yours. Matching towels sound easier.” I stroke the fluffy towel, not meeting his eyes.
“Cheaper, anyway.” He shifts, then moves to the door. “I added some shorts, uh... if you want to wash what you have.” A flush stains his cheeks above his beard, and he clears his throat. “There’s shampoo and soap in there. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Bronco.” I mean it with all my heart. He’s shown me more care than I’ve had in months. Maybe years.
He gives me one last lingering look, then closes the door behind him.
I remove his jacket, fold it and the blanket and set them on the counter, then remove the wedding dress and garters, dropping them on the floor. The sheer thong goes next. I briefly consider washing it, but I’d rather go without. Aiden picked it out for me, and I don’t want anything of his touching my body.
I ease into the tub, hissing when the warm water hits the cuts on my feet, then let my muscles slowly unwind. But as much as I try, I can’t fully relax. Like my body doesn’t quite believe I’m out of danger. It’s because Aiden is out there somewhere, and he won’t let me go.
