“We’re almost there,” he reaches back, and I want to recoil, but whatever he drugged me with is still oozing through my veins. He places a hand on my shoulder, and I realize that I’m covered with a thick blanket. I can hear his fingers rustling over it as he strokes my arm gently. “Go back to sleep. You’ll be out of it for a few days.”
My mouth opens, and my tongue smacks against my teeth. “You…you drugged…me….”
Rowan peers into the back seat, something passing behind his eyes that I’m too disoriented to make out. “You’ll forgive me one day.”
“Fat…chance,” my consciousness slips, and I’m pulled back under.
***
There’s something pounding. It sounds too heavy and loud. I groan groggily, turning my face into whatever soft, rich-smelling thing that’s close to me. My hand reaches, and I ball the fabric into my fist.
When did my bed start smelling thisgood?
It’s like taking a big whiff of sandalwood and spice. I inhale deeply, feeling my limbs relax.
Something squeaks, and the pounding stops. Then I heard the dripping of a faucet and something wading through water.
“Five more minutes,” I mumble, detangling my fist before my hand slaps over the scruff lining a sharp jaw.
A deep chuckle reverberates through what I’m inhaling like an addict, and I realize with a start that it’s a chest.
Lips press against my temple before Rowan speaks softly. “We need to clean you up so I can doctor your cuts.”
I bury my face deeper, feeling sleep beckon me like a lover. It registers in my head that I should be freaking out, but whatever drug he used on me is working a little too well. I’m far too relaxed, and wherever I am is so warm and cozy that I can’t drag myself from slumber long enough to curse or berate the man who kidnapped me.
“I’ll be quick,” Rowan mumbles, his voice dipping in and out with my consciousness. “I promise, Sunshine.”
A dopey, drug-induced smile tugs at my lips as he sets me down in the water. It’s not as hot as I would like it, but I’m so loopy that all I do is give him that ridiculous smile before reaching for his chest again. “You smell sogood.” I bury my face in his shirt as he sloshes the water over me.
He pours it over my hair before there’s an echoing click, and I smell something sweet and subtle fill the bathroom. He scrubs the soap into my hair, and I moan as his fingers dig into my scalp.
It feelsamazing.
The whole time he washes me, I doze off, the drug affecting my judgement. Because right now, I could fucking kiss him for the pampering.
“It’s like going to the spa…” I trail.
“Mhmm,” he hums. “Wait until it’s all worn off. You won’t like me so much then.”
My brows furrow as I detach from his chest. I look up into the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen, and my expression becomes dreamy as I ungracefully cup his cheeks. “I could never hate you, Row Row. You’re so good to me, and you smell like this!”
His eyes shift between mine, a fond look uncurling in them as we stare at each other. He clears his throat before lifting his hand to one of my wrists and brushing his thumb over the back of it. “I’m sorry, Sunshine. I only did it—”
“Shhhh,” I shush him messily, pressing a finger to his plump lips. My temple throbs as my eyes squint. “Stop talking. You’re giving me a headache.”
The bright, fluorescent bathroom lights aren’t helping either.
He sighs, and I feel his shoulders slouch as I baby him with soft touches. “I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserveyou.”
I shake my head, my eyes lizard blinking before I fall forward into his chest. “Stop saying dumb things, and wash me, Assassin Man.”
His chest shakes with a chuckle as my eyes close and I’m dead to the world again.
***
Alertness can’t quite reach me. It’s in my sluggish movements and the way it feels like my whole body is sinking into molasses.
As my mind tries to get a hold of what’s happening, my whole system feels off. Like I’m not all here.
