6. Yuri and the bathtub
Chapter six
Yuri and the bathtub
I f anyone, and I mean anyone, ever asked me, “Hey Yuri, what would you do if a random woman showed up to your house, cut her foot on some glass, and looked up at you with those puppy dog eyes?” I’d probably laugh. Things like that didn’t happen to old gators like me.
And yet? Here I fucking was, letting her use me like a crutch as she peeled her soiled wallet and phone out of her pockets and onto my sink counter. Then, I gave her my back, leaving my tail armed and ready to snatch her up should she teeter again. This woman is about as graceful as a drunk, one hooved gazelle. Yet, the feel of her palm daintily pressed against my back took the air out of my lungs. Her skin was so warm. So soft. It nearly made my knees buckle to feel her hand slide up my hard back as she wiggled out of her jeans.
“Okay, I think I can manage,” she whispered as the telltale sounds of someone sitting on the edge of the tub filled the air. I tried not to flinch when I heard the tumble of her body into the belly of the bath. Half-turned, knowing full and well that if I fully turned, I’d never be able to turn back, I swallowed over my tongue. She laughed softly, cranking on the faucet. “Got it.”
“Keep your foot up,” I instructed, staring dead into the shower and not at the mirror.
“Yup! She’s propped.”
“And the soap’s on the ledge.” I stepped an inch closer to the door. Don’t look in the mirror, don’t look in the mirror, don’t! Fucking! Look-
“Yuri?”
I didn’t even contemplate how she knew my name. The sound of it coming from her sweet vocal cords made me the weakest beast in the woods. I lightly turned in a circle, sighing with relief when I found her twisted to hide her body against the side of the tub, her chin against the ivory edge. She smiled a toothy grin. “Thanks, by the way. You didn’t have to be an absolute miracle worker, but…thanks. Sorry for trespassing.”
I glanced at her foot still propped up on the edge of the tub. Warm water spilled around her as she watched me with those pretty green eyes. I nodded, unable to form words. With a grunt, I whirled around in my bathroom, snatched up her dirty clothes and items, and stomped out of the bathroom. I should have told her I’d get her fresh clothes or where the towel was, or what I was going to do while she bathed, but I stood outside the closed bathroom door and stared at the pile of things in my hands.
A person. A real person is in my cabin, and she didn’t even flinch.
An uncomfortable fluttering took place in my chest as I took her clothes to my washer. It sat next to my fridge so they could share the same hookup. I carefully dumped her clothing into the open maw before setting her wallet and phone aside. Newfangled tech . Washing off the faux leather wallet and all her plastic was easy. The phone, I had to be gentler about; I dried it off with a kitchen towel and let it sit on the windowsill in hopes it would dry out. Not that it mattered; there wasn’t a single bar of reception out here.
My ears were peeled the whole time, waiting to hear a yelp, a squawk, or a thud…even a splash. I ended up pacing in my room, listening to the silence as the faucet was turned off. How long was too long? Was she scrubbing? What was she doing? She’ll need two baths to-
“Yuri?” she called through the door.
“Yeah-huh!” I nearly barged through the door, finding her chin back on the side of the tub.
“Would you mind if I ran a second bath? I’ve already gunked up the first one.” She grimaced at me.
“Go for gold.” I sat back on my heels.
“Thanks,” she exhaled heavily. “You know, your cabin’s really nice. I said it earlier, but you were bein’ a little grumpy. Fully understandable, but I just… It’s so nice; how’d you get a cabin built all the way out here with no roads or anything?”
“Uh, it was a hunting cabin for some rich Texan who ended up not wanting it for some reason. I took it off his hands.” I could see her looking for something to help rinse herself with. I grabbed the giant plastic cup I kept on the counter at night for if I got thirsty. She beamed up at me. The words fell out of my mouth like water. “I like my privacy.”
“I bet.” She winked at me cheekily before scooping up water in the cup. “Thanks again.”
I took my leave, knowing better than to chance sitting in the bathroom with her. I liked my privacy. The last thing I wanted would be a massive gator hovering over me. Instead, I waddled out into my room and began to riffle through my clothes. Suddenly, I realized I didn’t have much without a giant hole around the ass. Oh no. I checked on her clothes in the wash, but they were still spinning. Okay, think quick.
She needed something for when she got out of the bath until the clothes were dry. What do I even have? I rummaged through my drawers until I stopped on my drawer full of massive t-shirts. Ah! Bingo! Brilliant work! I pulled out the plain gray t-shirt and set it out on the bed. She was a bigger girl, but she wasn’t a giant gator. Perfect.
And then what ? I stood in the middle of my bedroom, suddenly self-conscious of my empty home. It was fine for me—relaxation, peace, and quiet. My work shed was back behind the cabin. I had a few books here and there, newspapers, but mostly, I hunted or patrolled the woods… or I ate.
Thankfully, my human squeaked from the bath and saved me from myself. I stepped into the bathroom again, finding it fully drained and her wrapped up in a towel. Mostly wrapped. But, like a mermaid, she was helplessly reaching out for me. “I can’t get out.”
I chuckled, coming to her aid. “I apologize for the minor breach in privacy.”
“Oh, we’re long past that. My desire to hide my bits and belly are second to my need to get out of the tub without breaking an ankle.” She clutched my arm as I scooped an arm under her knees. Hoisting her from the tub, I saw the spark of I’m off the ground fill her panicked face once more.
I reveled in it. My monstrous strength was good for a lot of things, but best of all for scooping up the pretty woman in my bathtub and showing her just how easy it would be to throw her over my shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
“If it, uh, makes the situation better…” I trailed off, realizing how silly it sounded before it fell out of my maw.
“What?” she chuckled, wrapping both her arms around my shoulders. I soaked in her warmth like a sunning lizard on a rock. It took physical restraint not to hug her close to my chest.
“It’s a shame to cover up such pretty bits and belly?” I arched a brow .
She sputtered, clearly trying to hold back a laugh.
“Ehhh, yeah, I know. Not my best line. I’m a rusty ole’ lizard,” I grunted as I carried her back into the room. Smooth, scales, smooth! She giggled as I plopped her rear end on the bed next to the shirt offering.
“No, no, I liked it.” Her squeaky-clean shoulders trembled as she covered her mouth for a moment. After a little gasp and some escaped giggles, she peeked up at me. “It’s nice. It has been a while since I’ve received any attention at all. Rusty or not, it’s appreciated.”
I stepped back, eyeing her from crown to toe. “You? Haven’t received any attention?” I glanced out the only bedroom window in disbelief before returning my gaze to her. “Dollface, you look better than rain after a yearlong drought. In Texas.”
“Oh?” she gasped, clutching her hands to the towel that was struggling to cover up the soft skin I coveted so much. Her hands flapped a bit as she peered down at her lap. Red burned across her cheeks and throat. I hesitated to creep closer as her shoulders trembled again. But this time, she wasn’t laughing. She inhaled sharply, raking fingers through her damp hair again. Red lined her eyes as she glanced out the window, hand covering her mouth. I dropped to the floor by her feet, steeling her green eyes back from the trees.
“What’s wrong?” I furrowed my brows.
“It’s just… It has just been so long since anyone’s ever… complimented me,” she gasped, dropping her hands to the knot she’d formed with the towel. “Which seems ridiculous, considering I was married up until very recently.”
“Oh, Doll, I’m so sorry-” Smooth! Real fucking smooth!
“No!” She laughed through a few sniffles as she shook her head. “I’m divorced, not widowed. He’s a jackass who slept with my best friend and left me, so you’re fine. It’s just, I was suddenly struck with how nice it was to have someone compliment me.”
I pressed two knuckles under her chin, keeping her from looking away as I caught her eyes. “I’m starting to see why you were blackout drunk, losing your stuff in the woods.”
She sputtered, a wet laugh falling off her lips. “My mom and I got soooo drunk .”
“Well, I know the perfect fix for a broken heart and a hangover.” I had personal experience with both. I patted her thigh affectionately before climbing to my feet. “Feel free to dry off. Not much in the pants department, but that shirt oughta fit you just fine like a ballgown. After I’ve fed you and gotten your clean clothes back on you, I’ll get you home. No chance you’re walking home without shoes, let alone on that foot, Dollface.”
A meek, sweet hand grabbed one of my claws and stopped me from leaving. She smiled up at me, warmth back in her cheeks but no more red in her eyes. “Thank you again.”
I left her on my bed with a small nod and a flutter in my chest.