A few minutes later, Luc returns and watches over me as I take the medicine.
I down the glass of water all in one clip, trying to quench an undeniable thirst. Jax had told me the pills would dry me out. He wasn't kidding.
When I polish off the glass, Lucien takes it from me and sets it down on the nightstand.
"How are you feeling?" he asks, and his apprehensive tone makes it sound like a loaded question.
"I'm okay," I answer as honestly as I can, and even I don't know if I'm meaning mentally or physically.
I'll heal physically over time with some rest, but the assault definitely left me with some mental scars that will never heal. The fear I still feel is so strong it's tangible.
Looking down at the shirt I was wearing when Rafael attacked me, I see it's covered in dirt…and blood.
Gulping, I tear my eyes away from the blatant reminder. "I just…I really want to take a shower," I tell him, trying to force the tremor out of my voice, but failing miserably.
He stares at me for a long time, his eyes watching me warily. Then he nods again and gently pulls back the covers before stepping back and giving me space.
Slowly, I sit up, but the pounding in my head is already throbbing from the change in position. I swing my legs down over the side of the bed. The room starts to spin, and I clutch onto the sheets, balling the cool material into my fists.
My feet haven't even touched the ground yet, and I realize I'm in a precarious situation. I'll never make it to the bathroom on my own.
Closing my eyes, my jaw clenches shut and I cringe through the pain and discomfort. "Maybe you should get Jax to help me shower," I suggest.
When Lucien doesn't respond or leave to go get Jax, I slowly open my eyes and peek up at him. His brows are pinched together in frustration, and for a moment I think I've angered him in some way.
Then, his dark eyes pierce mine. "I'm not letting Jax undress you…and touch you…and…" His voice trails off as his hands clench at his sides.
And it's then that I realize Lucien isn't angry with me.
He's jealous.
Before I can even comprehend Lucien's reaction, he's reaching for me and scooping me into his arms. I yelp from the sudden movement, but am thankful that the room decided not to turn upside down.
Lucien stares down at me. "You good?" he asks softly.
I give him a small nod of assurance and rest my head against his warm chest. His heart is beating so damn fast against my ear, it sounds like a fast and steady drum.
The walk to the en-suite is short, and Lucien carefully sets me down near the double sink to lean against. The shower is encased with glass doors and has two oversized showerheads in the ceiling and numerous jets encased in the tiled wall. There are built-in shelves and a matching tiled bench.
His bathroom looks like something straight out of a magazine.
"You know your bathroom is bigger than most people's apartments in New York City. And the showerheads look like they're made for elephants. Which I'm pretty sure you could definitely fit one in here…or maybe even two," I tell him with a grin.
The corner of his mouth upturns at my remark, and I'm happy that I almost got a smile out of him.
Turning towards the sink with the intention of finding some toothpaste, I catch my reflection in the mirror. I gasp in horror at the girl standing there before me. Bruised and battered with tired, hollow eyes…it doesn't even look like me.
Tears instantly fill my eyes before Lucien is grabbing my arms and turning me away from the shocking image. "Don't," he whispers. "It may look bad now…but you'll heal. You just need time," he vehemently assures me, and I can hear the empathy in his voice as if he's been through this somehow or maybe experienced it with someone else.
I nod, sniffling and wiping away a stray tear gliding down my cheek. "I just…I just wanted to brush my teeth," I tell him weakly. "Even if you just have some toothpaste…" I start to say, but Lucien is already opening a drawer filled with brand new, packaged toothbrushes all in the same color and style.
"Take your pick," he tells me. "There's blue or…the same shade of blue." He clears his throat and looks at me apprehensively.
I stare at him. Did he just attempt to make some semblance of a joke? I grin at him and watch as his expression softens. "Thank you," I say before grabbing one.
After he hands me an unopened tube of toothpaste, I set out to quickly brush and rinse my teeth all while avoiding my reflection in the mirror.
After I'm done, I turn slowly and smile up at Lucien. "I feel a little better already," I remark.
