Chapter 5 #2
We enter through a back door that opens into an old, outdated kitchen.
It’s a large space with a butcher block island in the center of it.
Well-loved pots and pans hang above the island, while wooden stools are situated around it.
There’s a hint of something savory in the air, as if dinner had been made in here just a few hours ago. My stomach growls loudly in response.
“Want something to eat?” Wesley asks as he shuts the door behind us.
“She can eat after she cleans up,” Ledger retorts, not letting me speak for myself.
I wave without looking back at Wesley. “No, thank you, though.”
“Not a problem,” he says easily, as if it really wouldn’t have put him out at all.
Ledger leads me past an open living room that is full of mismatched furniture and an old television before we head up a flight of steps. We pass a few rooms, but all the doors are shut.
As we walk, Ledger’s hand never leaves the small of my back.
The warmth of his hand is noticeable after dealing with the chilly air for days on end.
A small voice in the back of my head whispers to me to lean into the touch, and into the man.
There’s barely any space between us in the tight hallway and it wouldn’t be too weird if I just brushed up against his side…
No, no, no… I can’t think like this. Maybe I hit my head, or maybe it’s just Ledger’s touch.
It’s quite possible he’s my kryptonite. Something about Ledger Porter makes me weak.
If I’m not careful, I might end up doing something stupid like before.
I don’t want a second regret when it comes to Ledger.
We stop halfway down the hall. Ledger opens a door, flicks on the bright white bathroom lights, and gently guides me inside with a hand on my back.
Without saying anything, he gestures toward the shower-tub combination.
Rather than move toward it, I watch as he crouches down in front of the sink and opens the cabinet doors.
With a soft grunt, he reaches in and pulls out a small first-aid kit.
He places it onto the counter, opens it, and out comes rubbing alcohol, bandages, a stitches kit, and gauze.
"Oh," I murmur, understanding slowly dawning on me. "Thanks, I’ll take care of any injuries in a bit. We should probably—"
"Take your shirt and pants off."
It takes a moment to process his request. Did… did Ledger just ask me to strip? No. I definitely misheard him. He wouldn’t ask me to…
I realize Ledger is waiting as his face darkens.
Oh, okay, he’s being serious. He wants me to get naked in front of him.
My face heats. Getting undressed in front of Ledger has always been a secret fantasy of mine.
In those moments, however, it was under different circumstances. Sexier ones, for sure.
Clearing my throat as daintily as possibly, I try to assure him that I’m good. "Ah, no? I don’t think I have any serious wounds right now."
"Don't be difficult, Blair," Ledger growls. "You look like shit and there's blood all over your clothes. I need to check you over. You could still be in shock and unaware of any new injuries."
My face heats in embarrassment. I'm well aware I don't look my best. Running for your life for days on end doesn't really give you much time to freshen up.
“I’ll handle it,” I object, trying to hold my ground.
Our eyes meet for the first time since my arrival and suddenly I'm lost in the woods. Ledger's deep, forest green eyes are familiar and comfortable, despite the fury crackling in them. I know, if I step closer, I'd see flecks of honey-gold and even deeper specks of green.
He's forgone shaving for at least five days, the dark blond scruff covering the lower half of his face evidence of this. Ledger's also grown his hair out a bit. Before, he’d go for a buzz cut. Now his blond hair is shaved on the sides but kept a bit longer on top. Enough so that I could probably run my fingers through it. Some of his blond hair has lost its luster both on his head and in his beard, as it slowly turns gray, but I like the silver coming in. I like it a lot. I also enjoy seeing the crows’ feet around the corners of his eyes.
He’s aging like fine wine, and I want to guzzle him down to appreciate all the notes that make up this forbidden man.
Despite some new changes, his sheer size hasn’t changed.
I love how he looms over me. As a child, I used to believe he was a true giant and that nothing could defeat him.
I still believe that, especially since he’s filled out a bit.
Ledger’s still muscular, there’s absolutely no doubt about that, but there’s a bulk to him now, making him look thicker around the chest and waist.
Damn, he looks better than ever.
Why is life so unfair? Why can’t he look like a haggard mess so that this damn crush can just evaporate already?
“Don’t make me tell you again, Blair.”
I blink, taken aback by his cold tone. “Why are you so mad right now?”
He’s always a bit gruff, but this is different. Ledger is actually pissed off, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why.
His scowl intensifies. “You should’ve called me the minute you ran into trouble. Do you know how fucking worried Anchor and I have been?”
“Do you think I wanted to be running around half the country?!” I snap, getting defensive.
When his glare doesn’t lessen, I know Ledger isn’t going to give up easily.
Swallowing down my annoyance, I try a different approach.
“Look, Ledger. I’m sorry but I’m here, okay?
I might’ve been out of the game for a bit, but I used everything the two of you taught me to survive, and I made it.
You don’t have to be worried anymore. Let me clean up and we can talk afterward, okay? ”
Ledger’s jaw tightens and his nostrils flare. After a beat, he takes a step back, toward the door.
“Fine, I’ll be back to take you to your room.”
With that he leaves me to clean up on my own.