“I don’t want to be alone anymore.” She’d said that before.
He liked it a lot that she said what she meant. “Okay. You know the way toourbedroom.” He picked up her bag and followed her down the short hallway past his office to the master bedroom. He had two spare rooms on the other side of the house, past the kitchen and dining room. He’d hate to have her so far away, even if she was still in the same house. This way, he could be close and they could settle into this new intimacy between them.
It wasn’t like he was going to pull any moves on her. She was hurt and in need of patience and care. He wished his body got that message, because having her here made his dick remember how long it had been since he’d been with a woman and how much he’d fantasized about being with Lucky.
She stepped into the room and stared at the rumpled sheets he’d left behind the morning he'd gone for his hike. He’d intended to make the bed after he got home and showered.
“Let me change the sheets while you put on something more comfortable to sleep in. If you want, I can give you one of my shirts.”
“Are you going to sleep with me?”
He rubbed his hand over the tight muscles at the back of his neck. “Yeah. I’m beat. Sleeping in a chair for days was not great on my back. I can’t wait to lie down with you and let everything go for a while.”
“Then leave the sheets and give me your shirt.”
He eyed her. “The one I’m wearing.”
She nodded, giving him a shy smile.
Oh, that would never do. He didn’t want her to be nervous with him at all. And if she wanted the shirt off his back, she could have it. So he pulled it over his head and draped it over his shoulder as he carefully took the sling off her arm and set it on the edge of the bed. “I’ll help you get undressed like we did at the hospital. You tell me if anything hurts and I’ll stop. Okay?”
She turned her back to him. He gently took the hem of her shirt and pulled it up her body. She pulled her good arm out first, then he lifted the shirt sideways over her head toward her injured arm, and drew the shirt down without her having to lift it. Next he undid her bra clasp and slid the straps down both her arms. It landed on the end of the bed. He bunched up his t-shirt and slid it up her injured arm, then over her head, and down her body in the reverse way he’d taken hers off. With her back to him, she kept some modesty as their relationship hadn’t gotten that intimate. Yet.
She was going to need him to help her take a shower. No way could she do that on her own.
He was both eager for it and dreading the torture it would be to have his hands on her, but not in the way he wanted or needed. Still, he loved having this chance to take care of her, for them to get closer and build trust and intimacy.
“Okay, sweetheart, let’s get the rest off.” He slipped his hands up under his t-shirt on her and over her hips. He tugged her soft yoga pants down her legs. She’d kicked out of her shoes so all he had to do was pull off one leg at a time, including her socks. “Keep the underwear or ditch them? Do you prefer to sleep naked or…” He let that hang.
“I’m good like this. For now.”
He rubbed her arms. “Okay. Do you want the sling on while you sleep?”
“No. I don’t think so. Um, is it okay if I take the left side of the bed? I like to sleep on my side and I’d rather be facing you. Plus that will mean I’m not on my hurt side.”
“Whatever you want, sweetheart. Do you need the bathroom before you crawl in?” He went to the drapes and closed them, so they’d sleep better.
“Um. I’m okay.”
He checked the time on the clock by the bed. “Do you want something to eat or drink before you crash?”
“No. I’m good. Thank you. But could you get my meds and a glass of water?”
He dug through her bag and pulled out the meds. He popped the top on one, poured out a pill, then did the same with the other, closing the bottles and leaving them on the nightstand. He handed her the pills, then went into the bathroom and came back with a glass of water.
Lucky popped the pills and downed half the glass of water.
He pulled back the covers. “Come on, then. Crawl in.” He waited for her to settle, then tucked the sheets around her. “You good?”
“Yes.” She inhaled, then sighed. “It smells like you.” A soft smile tilted her pink lips as her eyes drooped closed.
He couldn’t help but kiss her on the forehead. “Is that why you wanted my shirt?”
“Yes.” The grin made his stomach feel like it was floating.
His heart felt too big for his chest. How did she do this to him in such a short time? He was absolutely falling hard and fast for her.
He used the bathroom, brushed his teeth, washed his face, then pulled off his shoes, socks, and jeans and climbed in beside her in nothing but his black boxer briefs.
