“That doesn’t mean you had to do it.” I kept hold of him, breathing him in. “Most people wouldn’t.”
Theo rubbed his hand up and down my spine. “If they knew you, they would.”
I clutched him tighter for a moment, soaking up his strength and steadfastness. My arms loosened, and I pulled back, sighing at the mere thought of the jobs that lay ahead of me. “I need soap and water so badly,” I said. “My teeth need brushing, too. I feel disgusting.”
Theo rested his hand on the mattress beside my knee. “How about I bring you a bowl of warm water and a facecloth? I can’t get Laura in here to help, and I doubt you’re up to handling a shower or bath on your own.”
He’d changed me into pyjamas while I was out of it. Cared for me without crossing lines. He could have done whatever he wanted to me, and I’d have no chance of defending myself.
“Can you help me?” I asked. “I feel so gross. I just want to sit in the bath for a while. All I need is a hand to get in there, then you can leave me.”
Theo stared right back at me and dragged the corner of his lower lip between his teeth.
He’d already done so much, and this was way outside the type of favour you asked of friends—but no one could come into his apartment, and there was no way I’d wait until it was safe for others to be around me.
“You couldn’t even look at me a couple of weeks ago,” he said. “Now you want me to take off your clothes and help you get into the bath?”
Being awake and focusing on the conversation took more effort than I currently had in me. I wasn’t even sure I had the strength to brush my teeth, let alone bathe, but I nodded. The thought of changing into fresh underwear and pyjamas, and maybe convincing him to wash my hair so I could feel human again, was too tempting to refuse.
His expression turned pensive, and a long moment of silence stretched between us. “What’s your last name?” he asked.
I frowned. “Wentworth.”
“What’s the number of our building?”
“Forty-eight.”
His gaze roamed over my features, paying particular attention to my eyes. “Middle name?”
I huffed out a sigh and humoured him. “Elizabeth.”
“I don’t even know if that’s right.” Theo flashed me a grin that caused a sweet fluttering in my stomach. “How many people still live here?”
“Nine—no, eight. Is this... is this a mental competency test?”
“Just making sure you’re in your right mind.”
“Did I pass?”
He nodded, still so unsure of doing what I asked it made me want to laugh. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll get everything ready.”
Seventeen
theo
“What am I supposed to do?” I hid in the bathroom while the tub filled, letting the rushing water drown out my voice.
I’d already been to Sadie’s place and grabbed everything she needed. Underwear. Change of clothes. Bathrobe, toothbrush, and hairbrush.
“Just carry her in there and face her away from you while you undress her.” Laura’s voice came down the phone line. “Hold up a towel while she climbs in, then wash her hair and let her take care of the rest of her body—oh, and make sure there are plenty of bubbles, so she can hide under them.”
I stared at the swirling water. Bubbles? I never took baths. “I wish you could come in here and help her.”
Scanning the grey-tiled room, I grabbed my body wash and squirted a couple of dollops into the water. Bubbles immediately formed and multiplied, the fragrance mixing with the billowing steam.
“Is this your first time around a naked woman, Theo? Do I need to run you through the basics? Women’s bodies are different from men’s—”
“Funny.” I opened the cupboard and slipped a fresh towel from the top of the stack.
