I was positive that my breath smelled awful."I highly doubt that."
He was quiet, so I opened my eyes.
"Why are you helping me?"
"When you didn't open up this morning, a customer asked what was going on.You were planning to work today, so I thought there was something wrong.When you didn't answer, I got worried.You really shouldn't leave a spare key above the doorframe.That's the first place someone will check."
"I didn't put a key there.Must have been the previous tenant."I tried to shift to standing but slipped."I didn't realize how late it was.I have to get ready to open the store."
"You're not working today."He put his hands under my arms and lifted me to stand.He put an arm around me so that I was leaning against his side.
I hoped I hadn't managed to puke on myself last night.
He helped me over to the shower where I could feel the steam from the water.
It would feel good to clean up.Not that I'd ever admit that to him.
"You need help getting undressed?"
I bit my lip."I can manage."
"I'll be in your room.Just holler if you need me.I'll leave the door ajar."
I couldn't even manage a nod; my head ached so badly.And when I attempted a smile, it felt more like a grimace.
He left the room, leaving the door ajar like he promised.The heat of the water beckoned me, so I lifted the silky negligee over my head, letting it fall to the floor.By the time I removed my panties, I was worn out.
But the draw of getting the stench cleaned off was too great to ignore.I stepped under the water and closed the glass door.I lifted my face to the stream, allowing the warm water to wash away the sickness.I managed to squirt shampoo on my hand to wash my hair.I followed up with conditioner, allowing it to soak into my hair while I soaped up my body.
I made a mental note to brush my teeth when I got out.Hopefully by then, I'd feel like a new person.I just wasn't sure how I'd manage to stand up all day at work.Maybe I could set up a stool so I could sit while checking out customers.
I tipped my head back, allowing the water to rinse the suds away.I marveled that Maverick had cared enough to check on me and hadn't run away repulsed when he found me on the floor in the fetal position.Instead, he'd touched my hair with tenderness, and his concerned voice had washed over me.
It was a nice thing to do.Not something I would expect from a man that stood me up.But then again, that was a long time ago, and maybe he'd matured since then.
I was having a hard time reconciling grouchy Maverick, the man who wanted nothing to do with me, and the one who'd run into my bathroom worried about my well-being.
I turned off the water, hesitating for a second to step out into the cold air.
"You need help?"His voice was close, probably just outside the bathroom door.
"I got it."But I wasn't sure I did.The thought of getting out of the shower was too much.I was exhausted from the effort and the night spent on a hard tiled floor.
"I'll come in and hold the towel for you."
"The shower door is glass."It was frosted, but I was sure he could see something if he tried.
"I'll cover my eyes."
The help was too attractive to pass up."Okay."
When the door squeaked open, I could see that he'd used his hand to cover his eyes but probably left his sight range open to see where he was walking.He grabbed the towel in one hand and held it open so that it blocked his face."It's ready for you."
I sighed and opened the glass door, stepping onto the rug.He wrapped the towel around me, and when I looked up, his eyes were squeezed shut.
"Thank you."
He grabbed another towel and put this one over my head, rubbing my hair to help dry it.
