“You don’t have to do this,” she says softly.
My hand lifts the cloth and moves to her arm, wiping away the dried blood that the hospital staff missed.
“I know.”
Her fingers rest lightly along the edge of the tub. “You’re being very calm about everything,” she observes.
“Am I?”
“You are.”
I rinse the cloth again and move to the bruise forming along her shoulder. “I expected more yelling,” she adds.
“Later.”
That earns a faint laugh from her. The sound loosens the tension in my chest.
Steam thickens slowly around us, fogging the mirror above the sink. Rowan sinks deeper into the water, letting the warmth ease the stiffness from her muscles.
My hand stills briefly before continuing its slow movement along her arm.
The silence that follows stretches comfortably between us. I rinse the cloth again and check the scrape along her collarbone.
Her breathing slows as the heat relaxes her body. “You’re watching me like you expect me to disappear,” she breathes.
I don’t answer immediately. Instead, I set the cloth aside and reach for a towel.
“I almost didn’t get there in time,” I tell her quietly.
Rowan’s face softens. “But you did.”
My hand slides up to brush damp hair away from the side of her neck. “You scared the hell out of me.”
Her hand slips from the edge of the tub and rests on my wrist. “I’m still here.”
Steam curls around us. My gaze drops to the faint curve of her stomach beneath the surface of the water.
Rowan follows the direction of my eyes. “You’re still processing that part,” she smiles.
“I am,” I admit quietly. “I’m still getting used to the idea.”
I move my hand to her stomach just beneath the water’s surface. The warmth of the bath ripples around my fingers as my palm rests there for a moment.
“You’re the strongest, most beautiful woman I have ever known.”
Her eyes lift to mine, searching my face as if considering the truth of the words.
I lean forward slowly. My other hand slides lightly along the side of her neck, brushing her cheek before my fingers stop at the base of her jaw. Then my lips meet hers.
The kiss begins softly, almost cautiously, as if I’m still confirming she’s really here. The warmth of the room, the faint scent of the bath salts, the quiet sound of the water moving around her all blur together as she leans into me.
When I finally pull back, my forehead rests briefly against hers. The warm water laps softly against the sides of the tub, the scent of the bath salts hanging in the steam between us.
Then I reach for the cloth again. I finish rinsing the last of the grime from her arms and stand. “Done.”
Rowan glances down at the water and then back at me. “That was oddly comforting.”
“I’m glad.”
