I wrap the blanket tighter around myself and glance at the corner of the room where Atticus is perched on his cat tower near the window. He licks his paws and rubs them over his forehead.
I click my tongue and beckon him to me.
He gives me an unimpressed look, resuming his bath.
“I see how it is. Just remember who feeds you.”
He responds with an apathetic yawn. Jaxon feeds him about as often as I do, so it’s not much of a threat.
Footsteps draw my attention back to Jaxon as he sets the food on a folding tray at the edge of the sofa. He sits beside me, close enough to touch if I wanted to. I resist the urge and avert my gaze.
My hand trembles as I reach for the spoon.
“When's the last time you had something to eat?”
I shrug. “I ate sometime yesterday… I think.”
He pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head. “Let me help you.”
Steam billows out of the bowl as he scoops up some of the soup. I watch with rapt attention as he brings his lips near the hot liquid and blows on it. I never noticed how full his lips are, and I definitely shouldn’t be noticing now.
When he catches me staring, he gives me that devastating smirk. My stomach somersaults, though I can't tell if Jaxon or the flu is to blame.
He cups his hand under the spoon and brings it to my lips. I open for him. The flavor is nothing like the salty store-bought packets my parents used to feed us. Evie’s soup ishearty and comforting. A warmth spreads through me as Jaxon feeds me another bite.
The liquid drips onto my chin, and without an ounce of hesitation, Jaxon swipes it away with his thumb. Time slows to a crawl as his hand lingers on my skin, sliding across my jaw. The air around us grows thick and charged. I’m acutely aware of every subtle movement, and I can’t bring myself to pull away. Nobody has ever taken care of me like this. The thought instantly sobers me.
“Thanks,” I murmur breathlessly. “I think I can take it from here.”
His intense gaze locks on mine. “Let me take care of you.”
I look away. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I'll get used to it.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Yes.”
Someday I'll have to go back to my real life, and if I let myself get too caught up in Jaxon, I'll be leaving my heart behind. I can’t miss him if I never let him in.
He gives me a look of disapproval and sets the spoon down, but he doesn’t move away. I carefully pick it up. It clatters against the bowl, splashing me.
I curse my trembling hands as they fail me once more.
“Why are you so stubborn?” Jaxon hands me a napkin. “You're too weak to do this on your own. Let me help you.”
My eyes burn with fresh, hot tears.
“I amnotweak.” I spit the words like a venomous snake sensing a threat, dabbing at the wet spot on my shirt.
Jaxon turns, his knee bumping into mine. He takes my hand in his, and I tense, waiting for pain to follow. None comes. He holds my hand with a gentleness that makes my chest ache.
“I think you know I didn’t mean it like that. You’re strongas hell, Callie. Sometimes, to your own detriment. But right now, your body is betraying you. Let me ease the burden, just until you’re feeling better.”
Clio's parting words echo in my mind.‘You're the strongest girl I know. Stronger than even me.’
